bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Time‐to‐Event Model Relating Integrated Craving to Risk of Smoking Relapse Across Different Nicotine Replacement Therapy Formulations
Authors: Germovsek Eva , Hansson Anna , Karlsson Mats O. , Westin Åke , Soons Paul A. , Vermeulen An , Kjellsson Maria C.
Published: July 2020

Smoking increases the risk of cancer and other diseases, causing an estimated 7 million deaths per year. Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) reduces craving for smoking, therefore, increasing an individual’s probability to remain abstinent. In this work, we for the first time quantitatively described the relationship between craving and smoking abstinence, using retrospectively collected data from 19 studies, including 3 NRT formulations (inhaler, mouth spray, and patch) and a combination of inhaler and patch. Smokers motivated to quit were included in the NRT or placebo arms. Integrated craving (i.e., craving over a period of time) was assessed with 4‐category, 5‐category, or 100‐mm visual analogue scale. The bounded integer model was used to assess latent craving from all scales. A time‐to‐event model linked predicted integrated craving to the hazard of smoking relapse. Available data included 9,323 adult subjects, observed for 3 weeks up to 2 years. At the study end, 9% (11% for NRT and 5% for placebo), on average, remained abstinent according to the protocol definition. A Gompertz–Makeham hazard best described the data, with a hazard of smoking relapse decreasing over time. Latent integrated craving was positively related to the hazard of smoking relapse, through a sigmoidal maximum effect function. For the same craving, being on NRT was found to reduce the hazard of relapse by an additional 30% compared with placebo. This work confirmed that low craving is associated with a high probability of remaining smoking abstinent and that NRT, in addition to reducing craving, increases the probability of remaining smoking abstinent.
Favorable Amorphous−Crystalline Iron Oxyhydroxide Phase Boundaries for Boosted Alkaline Water Oxidation
Authors: Qiu Yanling , Jia Qiang , Yan Shihai , Liu Bingping , Liu Jingquan , Ji Xuqiang
Published: July 2020

Interface engineering has proven an effective strategy for designing high‐performance water‐oxidation catalysts. Interface construction combining the respective advantages of amorphous and crystalline phases, especially embedding amorphous phases in crystalline lattices, has been the focus of intensive research. This study concerns the construction of an amorphous−crystalline FeOOH phase boundary (a−c‐FeOOH) by structural evolution of iron oxyhydroxide‐isolated Fe(OH)3 precursors from one‐step hydrothermal synthesis. a−c‐FeOOH demonstrates superb electrocatalytic activity for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) with overpotential of 330 mV to drive a current density of 300 mA cm−2 in 1.0 m KOH, which is among the best OER catalysts and much better than the pristine amorphous or crystalline FeOOH alone. Density functional theory calculations reveal that the high‐density a−c phase boundaries play a critical role in determining high OER activity.
Sustainable Direct Recycling of Lithium‐Ion Batteries via Solvent Recovery of Electrode Materials
Authors: Bai Yaocai , Muralidharan Nitin , Li Jianlin , Essehli Rachid , Belharouak Ilias
Published: July 2020

Separation of electrode materials from their current collectors is an enabling step toward recovering critical materials from spent lithium‐ion batteries. In the presented research, a highly efficient, cost‐effective, and environmentally sustainable separation process was developed for that purpose. Ethylene glycol, a vital commodity chemical as an antifreeze and polymer precursor, is used to delaminate electrode materials at low temperatures in seconds without altering the crystalline structure and morphology of active electrode materials. The recovered current collectors were intact without any corrosion. The authors also found that the solvent could be continuously reused, leading to the development of a closed‐loop ecosystem and lithium‐ion battery circular economy. The ultrafast delamination was driven by the competitive inhibition of binding through the weakening of hydrogen bonding. The ethylene glycol‐based separation is a sustainable electrode recovery process that paves the way for battery recycling.
FPS‐MAC: Fuzzy priority scheduling‐based MAC protocol for intelligent monitoring systems
Authors: Kaur Tarunpreet , Kumar Dilip
Published: July 2020

Recent advances in microelectronics have encouraged the implementation of a wireless sensor network (WSN) in intelligent monitoring systems (IMSs). The IMS for time‐critical applications requires timely and reliable data delivery without sacrificing the energy efficiency of the network. This paper proposes FPS‐MAC, a fuzzy priority scheduling‐based medium access control protocol, designed for event critical traffic in hierarchical WSN. The FPS‐MAC allows time‐critical event traffic to opportunistically steal the data slots allocated for periodic data traffic in event‐based situations. Additionally, a fuzzy logic‐based slot scheduling mechanism is introduced to provide guaranteed and timely medium access to emergency traffic load and ensures the quality‐of‐service (QoS) requirements of IMSs. Both analytical and simulation results for data throughput, energy consumption, and transmission delay of FPS‐MAC, TLHA, E‐BMA, and BMA‐RR have been analyzed to demonstrate the superiority of the proposed FPS‐MAC protocol.
Change in sediment features and the macroinvertebrate community within an estuarine ecosystem two years post‐restoration
Authors: Roberts E. M. , Stroshein S. D. , Bendell L. I.
Published: July 2020

Our objective was to assess the response of an estuarine ecosystem to restoration efforts, two years post‐restoration. Sediment attributes of particle size distribution (PSD), %LOI, water content and amounts of fine wood debris (FWD), and the macroinvertebrate community were compared among three sites, two reference and the recently restored site. The restored region had been previously used as a log sorting facility. As indicated by PSD, the restored site showed signs of recovery. However, the macroinvertebrate community had still not responded to restoration efforts. Sediments of reference sites were comprised of fine sand, and the macroinvertebrate community was dominated byMacomaspp. By contrast, at the restored site, sediments were mainly comprised of silt followed by fine sand,Macomaspp. was absent, and the main macroinvertebrate wasGlycera americana, a polychaeta characteristic of disturbed regions. The restored site still contained significance amounts of FWD as compared to the two reference sites attributed to its previous use. Although still early in its recovery stage, active restoration did have a positive effect and will have likely kick started the region toward recovery and further follow‐up in five years is recommended.
Robust intrathymic development of regulatory T cells in young NOD mice is rapidly restrained by recirculating cells
Authors: Darrigues Julie , Santamaria Jeremy C. , Galindo‐Albarrán Ariel , Robey Ellen A. , Joffre Olivier P. , van Meerwijk Joost P.M. , Romagnoli Paola
Published: July 2020

Regulatory T lymphocytes (Treg) play a vital role in the protection of the organism against autoimmune pathology. It is therefore paradoxical that comparatively large numbers of Treg were found in the thymus of type I diabetes‐prone NOD mice. The Treg population in the thymus is composed of newly developing cells and cells that had recirculated from the periphery back to the thymus. We here demonstrate that exceptionally large numbers of Treg develop in the thymus of young, but not adult, NOD mice. Once emigrated from the thymus, an unusually large proportion of these Treg is activated in the periphery, which causes a particularly abundant accumulation of recirculating Treg in the thymus. These cells then rapidly inhibit de novo development of Treg. The proportions of developing Treg thus reach levels similar to or lower than those found in most other, type 1 diabetes‐resistant, inbred mouse strains. Thus, in adult NOD mice the particularly large Treg‐niche is actually composed of mostly recirculating cells and only few newly developing Treg.
A Review on Oxidative Gold‐Catalyzed C‐H Arylation of Arenes – Challenges and Opportunities
Authors: Fricke Christoph , Reid William B. , Schoenebeck Franziska
Published: July 2020

Cross‐coupling strategies have become essential in modern organic synthesis. While palladium has historically dominated this field, other transition metals have arisen as potent and orthogonal alternatives. Gold, typically thought of as just a Lewis acid, has recently demonstrated redox chemistry in several cross‐coupling reactions using an external oxidant. One of these branches, oxidative C–H functionalizations, has made significant advances in recent years. Herein, we discuss the discovery and development of gold catalysis in this realm with particular focus on improvements in scope and mechanistic understandings in relation to biaryl couplings.
Recent Advances in the Application of Vibrational Circular Dichroism Spectroscopy for the Characterization of Asymmetric Catalysts
Authors: Merten Christian
Published: July 2020

In this Minireview, we summarize our recent efforts to use vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectroscopy, the chiroptical version of IR spectroscopy, for the characterization of conformational preferences of asymmetric catalysts and complexes, formed upon the respective interactions or reactions of catalysts with substrates. After giving a brief overview of the general aspects of the technique, we showcase how VCD spectra of a chiral ion‐pairing catalyst could be used to confirm a conformational shifting mechanism that determines the enantioselectivity of the catalyst. Chiral thioureas serve as examples for hydrogen bonding organocatalysts for which we demonstrate that both conformational preferences of the catalysts as well as of the hydrogen‐bonded complexes with substrates can be obtained from a detailed computational spectra analysis. Jørgensen–Hayashi‐type prolinol ether catalysts serve as examples to introduce experimental challenges associated with catalysts that operate by covalent activation of reactants.
Individuals with back and neck pain on medical forums: What do they mention? What do they fear?
Authors: Mintz Igor , Weisman Asaf , Springer Shmuel , Gottlieb Uri
Published: July 2020

Background

The use of online medical forums is on the rise globally. Data scraping is a method of extracting website content using an automated computer program. We scraped users’ questions regarding back and neck pain (BNP) from popular Israeli online medical forums. We aimed to identify the sort of questions being asked about BNP, and to analyse explicit themes that characterize their questions.

Methods

Six leading Israeli BNP forums were identified. In phase 1, Python scripts scraped 12,418 questions into a data set. In phase 2 – five themes were identified: Surgery (n = 2,957); health care professions (n = 2,361); Sports (n = 2,304); drugs (n = 1,419) and interpretation of imaging (n = 845). Phase 3 – included the categorization of explicit fear‐related words by the authors. Phase 4 – analysis of explicit fear‐related themes yielded 402 questions.

Results

Gender was identified for 394 users, and age was identified for 181 users. A total of 248 users (61.6%) were women and 146 men (36.3%). Mean age 36.3 ± 16.15 for women and 35.5 ± 16.1 for men. The most commonly expressed fears were related to: invasive procedures, 30.9% (131 questions); fear of serious condition or misdiagnosis, 17.0% (72 questions); General concerns, 13.7% (58 questions); fear of worsening or relapse, 12.3% (52 questions); adverse effects of oral drugs or radiation, 10.8% (46 questions) and concerns related to lifestyle, 9.7% (41 questions).

Conclusions

Web scraping is a feasible strategy with which to explore medical forums and the above‐mentioned themes, all of which are of potential clinical significance.

Significance

Using automated algorithms, a total of 12,369 questions from online back and neck medical forums were scraped and analysed. Secondary analysis categorized fear‐related themes that were mentioned by users. Identifying and addressing patients' fear has potential to improve communication and therapeutic outcome. For example, questions regarding surgery were typically asked after the option was mentioned by a physician. This insight should encourage physicians to devote extra time explaining the possible implications of surgery, should they consider it as an option.
Rapid Fibroblast Cell Culture Characterization with Impedimetric Label‐free Heat Shock Protein – 47 Biosensor
Authors: Harmanci Duygu , Onur Uygun Zihni , Koçak Sezgin Ayşe , Demirdöver Cenk , Girgin Sagin Ferhan , Akdoğan Gül
Published: July 2020

In this study, for the first time in literature, an impedimetric biosensor technology was developed to determine Heat Shock Protein‐47 (HSP‐47) for the characterization of primary skin fibroblast cells. Gold nanoparticle electrodes (GNPE) were modified with amino‐functionalized graphene oxide layers and anti‐HSP‐47 were immobilized on this layer. The performance of the biosensor was tested with real samples as cell lysates. The low detection limit (LOD) and the linear detection limit (LOQ) of the biosensor were calculated as 9.47 pg/mL and 3.23 pg/mL, respectively. Linear measurement range was obtained between 10–160 pg/mL HSP‐47. The reproducibility of the biosensor was good.
CD59‐deficient bone marrow erythroid cells from rats treated with procarbazine and propyl‐nitrosourea have mutations in thePig‐agene
Authors: Revollo Javier R. , Dad Azra , Pearce Mason G. , Mittelstaedt Roberta A. , Casildo Andrea , Lapidus Rena G. , Robison Timothy W. , Dobrovolsky Vasily N.
Published: July 2020

Procarbazine (PCZ) andN‐propyl‐N‐nitrosourea (PNU) are rodent mutagens and carcinogens. Both induce GPI‐anchored marker‐deficient mutant‐phenotype red blood cells (RBCs) in the flow cytometry‐based rat RBCPig‐aassay. In the present study, we traced the origin of the RBC mutant phenotype by analyzingPig‐amutations in the precursors of RBCs, bone marrow erythroid cells (BMEs). Rats were exposed to a total of 450 mg/kg PCZ hydrochloride or 300 mg/kg PNU, and bone marrow was collected 2, 7, and 10 weeks later. Using a flow cell sorter, we isolated CD59‐deficient mutant‐phenotype BMEs from PCZ‐ and PNU‐treated rats and examined their endogenous X‐linkedPig‐agene by next generation sequencing.Pig‐amutations consistent with the properties of PCZ and PNU were found in sorted mutant‐phenotype BMEs. PCZ induced mainly A > T transversions with the mutated A on the nontranscribed strand of thePig‐agene, while PNU induced mainly T > A transversions with the mutated T on the nontranscribed strand. The treatment‐induced mutations were distributed across the protein coding sequence of thePig‐agene. The causal relationship between BMEs and RBCs and the agent‐specific mutational spectra in CD59‐deicient BMEs indicate that the rat RBCPig‐aassay, scoring CD59‐deficient mutant‐phenotype RBCs in peripheral blood, detectsPig‐agene mutation.
Coupling between infraslow activities and high‐frequency oscillations precedes seizure onset
Authors: Hashimoto Hiroaki , Khoo Hui Ming , Yanagisawa Takufumi , Tani Naoki , Oshino Satoru , Kishima Haruhiko , Hirata Masayuki
Published: July 2020

Infraslow activities and high‐frequency oscillations (HFOs) are observed in seizure‐onset zones. However, the relation between them remains unclear. In this study, we investigated phase‐amplitude coupling between infraslow phase (0.016‐1 Hz) and HFOs' amplitude of focal impaired awareness seizures followed by focal to bilateral tonic‐clonic seizures, in a 28‐year‐old right‐handed man with a dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor. We recorded five habitual seizures. After the time of seizure onset, a significant increase in the power of HFOs was observed, and the power was significantly coupled with θ (4‐8 Hz) phase. In contrast, coupling of infraslow activities and HFOs surged a few minutes before the seizure‐onset time, and ictal HFOs discharged after that. Collectively, our results show that coupling of infraslow activities and HFOs precedes the seizure‐onset time. We infer that such coupling may be a potential biomarker for seizure prediction.
Influence of milk microbiota on Listeria monocytogenes survival during cheese ripening
Authors: Lee Jeeyeon , Seo Yeongeun , Ha Jimyeong , Kim Sejeong , Choi Yukyung , Oh Hyemin , Lee Yewon , Kim Yujin , Kang Joohyun , Park Eunyoung , Yoon Yohan
Published: July 2020

This study aimed to compare the three strains of Listeria monocytogenes survival in raw milk cheese and pasteurized milk cheese and to suggest the effect of milk microbiota on survival. L. monocytogenes cell counts decreased in all cheese as ripening time increased, and the survival rate was different for the strains of L. monocytogenes. Furthermore, L. monocytogenes survived longer in raw milk cheese than in pasteurized milk cheese. The difference of bacterial survival in each cheese was independent of Aw or the Lactobacillus spp. populations in cheeses; there was no difference in Aw or Lactobacillus spp. populations in all cheeses. The richness of microbiota in raw milk was little higher than in pasteurized milk, and five phyla (Chloroflexi, Cyanobacteria, Deinococcus–Thermus, Lentisphaerae, and Verrucomicrobia) were present only in raw milk. Also, organic acid‐producing bacteria were presented more in pasteurized milk compared with raw milk; thus, the growth of L. monocytogenes was slower in pasteurized milk. In conclusion, differences in the microbial community of milk can affect the growth of L. monocytogenes. Making cheese using raw milk is a risk of L. monocytogenes infection; thus, efforts to prevent growth of L. monocytogenes such as the use of appropriate food additives are required.
A versatile system to introduce clusters of genomic double‐strand breaks in large cell populations
Authors: Kolb Thorsten , Khalid Umar , Simović Milena , Ratnaparkhe Manasi , Wong John , Jauch Anna , Schmezer Peter , Rode Agata , Sebban Shulamit , Haag Daniel , Hergt Michaela , Devens Frauke , Buganim Yosef , Zapatka Marc , Lichter Peter , Ernst Aurélie
Published: July 2020

In vitro assays for clustered DNA lesions will facilitate the analysis of the mechanisms underlying complex genome rearrangements such as chromothripsis, including the recruitment of repair factors to sites of DNA double‐strand breaks (DSBs). We present a novel method generating localized DNA DSBs using UV irradiation with photomasks. The size of the damage foci and the spacing between lesions are fully adjustable, making the assay suitable for different cell types and targeted areas. We validated this setup with genomically stable epithelial cells, normal fibroblasts, pluripotent stem cells, and patient‐derived primary cultures. Our method does not require a specialized device such as a laser, making it accessible to a broad range of users. Sensitization by 5‐bromo‐2‐deoxyuridine incorporation is not required, which enables analyzing the DNA damage response in post‐mitotic cells. Irradiated cells can be cultivated further, followed by time‐lapse imaging or used for downstream biochemical analyses, thanks to the high throughput of the system. Importantly, we showed genome rearrangements in the irradiated cells, providing a proof of principle for the induction of structural variants by localized DNA lesions.
Examining saving habits and discriminating on the basis of demographic factors: A descriptive study of retail investors'
Authors: Prasad Swati , Kiran Ravi , Sharma Rakesh Kumar
Published: July 2020

This paper tries to investigate that is there any discrimination in saving habits based on various demographic factors. The study is based on primary data collected through a questionnaire on a Likert Scale of 1–5. Investor's savings habits have been classified as low, medium and high. The findings of the study show that there is significant discrimination in investors' savings habits based on demographic factors. The results of this study help financial institutions and bankers focus on these factors to develop successful strategies to promote saving and investment habits among retail investors.
Discrete‐trial training performance of behavior interventionists with autism spectrum disorder: A systematic replication and extension
Authors: Hillman Conrad B. , Lerman Dorothea C. , Kosel Molly L.
Published: July 2020

Further research is needed on strategies to improve employment outcomes for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We replicated and extended prior research by examining the acquisition, maintenance, and generalization of discrete‐trial training (DTT) performance of adults with ASD who were interested in careers as behavior technicians. Three participants received training on how to implement DTT with children and we assessed the maintenance and generalization of DTT performance in the absence of feedback. Results indicated that procedural integrity generalized across children and targets and maintained for 6 to 17 session days without feedback. Results have implications for the successful employment of individuals with ASD as behavior technicians and for future research on strategies to enhance their performance on the job.
A carrageenan/agarose composite sponge and its immunomodulatory activities toward RAW264.7
Authors: Huang Yongrui , Zhang Lejiao , Song Rijian , Mao Xuan , Tang Shunqing
Published: July 2020

A kind of commercial hybrid carrageenan (HC)/agarose composite sponge containing κ‐, μ‐, ι‐, and ν‐carrageenan, which could turn into hydrogel and release carrageenan at human body temperature was fabricated for immune stimulation and modulation. Release behavior demonstrated that the hybrid carrageenan contained sponge was mechanically stable and could release carrageenan constantly. RT‐PCR and ELISA experiments showed that the leaching liquor of the sponge could stimulate RAW264.7 from M0 state to a polarized state by secreting more anti‐inflammatory factor IL‐10 than pro‐inflammatory ones, such as, IL‐6 and TNF‐α. Transwell experiments also indicated that the leaching liquor could promote the proliferation of NIH‐3T3 by stimulating RAW264.7 of M0 state after 7 days. Results of particle size and intracellular concentration analyses suggested that the released carrageenan might enter into the cellular interior of RAW264.7 in the form of microgels or protein complexes. The sponge would be a promising candidate for skin wound dressing.
MicroRNAs and gene regulation in breast cancer
Authors: Abdalla Fatma , Singh Bhupendra , Bhat Hari K.
Published: July 2020

MicroRNAs (miRs) are non–protein‐coding small RNAs that control the gene expression posttranscriptionally. miRs can regulate different cellular functions as well as many pathological conditions. Dysregulated miR expression profiles have been identified in different cancer types including lung cancer, breast cancer, and prostate cancer. The expression of miRs varies according to their roles in each specific cancer type. Although many miRs and their target genes have been identified in different cancers, data are still scant to validate those target genes and the mechanistic role of these miRs. The possibility of targeting cancer‐associated miRs is suggested to open a new field for cancer therapy. Therapeutic strategies targeting miRs involve neutralization of the oncogenic miRs by antagomirs using locked nucleic acid oligonucleotides, miR sponges, or the restoration/overexpression of tumor‐suppressing miRs that are downregulated or depleted in cancers. Although it is suggested that therapeutic applications of miRs in different pathological conditions will make a huge revolution in gene therapy, there is still an enormous challenge in employing these strategies efficiently in cancer inhibition, seemingly, due to the complexity of cancer and the current inefficient development of delivery systems for the therapeutic miRs.
Point of care ultrasound for all by all: A multidisciplinary survey across a large quaternary care medical system
Authors: Wenger Jesse , Steinbach Trevor C. , Carlbom David , Farris Reid WD , Johnson Nicholas J. , Town James
Published: July 2020

Purpose

We sought to understand current POCUS practices and comfort as well as assess opinions about POCUS across our medical system via a survey to guide program development.

Methods

This study was conducted as a 19 question RedCap survey with multiple parts. Respondents were queried for demographics as well as experience with, attitudes toward, and clinical use of POCUS in common critical care scenarios.

Results

The survey was completed by 343 individuals, a response rate of 30%. Most respondents “agreed” that POCUS is a needed skill and helped them provide safer care (78% and 86% agreement). Most faculty and trainees reported some POCUS training (62% and 88%) and at least weekly use. Trainees rated themselves more comfortable than faculty for most exam types. The majority of faculty rated their POCUS education as inadequate while trainees had mixed responses.

Conclusions

POCUS is a frequently used tool, yet users are less confident in their skills than expected. POCUS applications are viewed as needed for future practice but there is a substantial need for improved education among faculty and trainees. Pooling resources and sharing educational initiatives across multiple specialties may help improve POCUS implementation.
Prenatal ultrasound diagnosis of Klippel‐Trenaunay‐Weber syndrome associated with umbilical cord hemangioma
Authors: Yu Dongmei , Sun Lingyu , Chen Taotao
Published: July 2020

We describe a case of prenatal diagnosed Klippel‐Trenaunay‐Weber syndrome, which mainly manifested as hypertrophy of the left thigh, and was associated with umbilical cord hemangioma and loss of heterozygosity (LOH) for 1q21.2 q44. This case report describes the second reported case associated with umbilical cord hemangioma and the first reported case with LOH for 1q21.2 q44.
An outbreak of hepatitis E in Yavatmal, India, 2019
Authors: Tripathy Anuradha S. , Sharma Meenal , Thorat Neeta C. , Jadhav Santosh , Koshatwar Kishor A.
Published: July 2020

Hepatitis E, a public health concern in developing countries, frequently presents in epidemic, as well as in sporadic forms. This study investigated an outbreak of viral hepatitis at Yavatmal, Maharashtra, India in March 2019. Blood samples from 10 patients were received at Indian Council of Medical Research‐National Institute of Virology, Pune to test for the presence of enterically transmitted hepatitis viruses. Subsequently, 49 suspected cases were screened for anti‐hepatitis E virus (HEV)/hepatitis A virus (HAV) immunoglobulin M and immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies, alanine amino‐transferase levels and HEV RNA. Water samples were screened for HEV and HAV RNA followed by phylogenetic analysis. Overall 32 of 49 (65.3%) suspected cases had recent acute HEV infection, while dual infection with HAV was noted in one case (2.04%). Forty‐eight of 49 suspected cases were positive for anti‐HAV IgG antibodies indicative of previously acquired immunity against HAV. Water samples had evidence of HEV contamination as detected by reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction. Sequencing of HEV RNA from both patients (n = 2) and water samples (n = 5) indicated HEV genotype 1 to be the etiological agent of this outbreak. Serological and molecular evidence confirmed HEV as the etiology. Mixing of contaminated drain water with the domestic water supply may have triggered this outbreak. Subsequent changing of the defaulted water pipelines and its segregation from drain pipelines by the health authorities resulted in progressive decline of this outbreak. Despite the limitations, periodic surveillance of HEV exposure pattern and reporting of small outbreaks would supplement to the global disease burden data of hepatitis E.
Impact of the pandemic on cancer care: Lessons learnt from a rural cancer center in the first 3 months
Authors: Deshmukh Sanjay , Naik Shailesh , Zade Bhooshan , Patwa Raunak , Gawande Jayant , Watgaonkar Ravi , Wagh Sachin , Deshmukh Sonali , Gautam Pratik , Gandhi Vidhyachandra , Ankolikar Shrikant , Gosavi Nitin
Published: July 2020

Introduction

The COVID‐19 outbreak and the subsequent declaration of pandemic was an unprecedented event, which created different complex situations for treatment of cancer patients. A critical assessment of the response to this calamity and its impact on healthcare workers (HCWs) and patient care in a dedicated cancer hospital is analyzed.

Site of Study

Indrayani Cancer Hospital, Alandi, Pune, India.

Materials and Methods

Due to the pandemic, standard operating protocols were decided on for each department. Analysis of the impact on healthcare was done by comparing the number of patients taking treatment in the lockdown period in India with the previous year's data in the same corresponding period in all three departments. The impact of COVID infection on the HCW and its repercussions were analyzed.

Results

There was a marked decrease in the total number of patients during the lockdown period. The most affected department was surgical oncology. None of our patients contracted COVID‐19, but one HCW was found to be positive.

Conclusion

Strict adherence to protocols along with the support of the government authorities can prevent the spread of this virus thus providing optimal patient outcomes. The treatment of patients with cancer should not be delayed, even in times of a pandemic.
Acid‐Mediated Autocatalysis in Vinylogous Urethane Vitrimers
Authors: Haida Philipp , Abetz Volker
Published: July 2020

Vitrimers are a class of polymeric materials with outstanding properties. Intramolecular substitution reactions lead to a dynamic exchange within the polymer network which enables thermoreversible stress relaxation in yet permanently crosslinked materials. In this paper, the acid‐mediated autocatalysis is explored as a rearrangement pathway for vinylogous urethane vitrimers. The autocatalysis enables transimination reactions, resulting in a dynamic exchange among the enamine‐one species, without an excess of free amines. Therefore, the enamine‐ones are protonated by a Brønsted acid and turn into electrophilic iminium‐ones, thus enabling fast backward and substitution reactions with water and free amines. This work provides an in‐depth investigation of the mechanism by kinetic studies of selected compounds. In addition, novel elastomeric and thermosetting poly(vinylogous urethane) networks with and without free amine groups and additional para‐toluene sulfonic acid as a Brønsted catalyst are prepared by bulk polymerization of hexane‐1,6‐diylbis(3‐oxobutanoate) and tris(2‐aminoethyl)amine. The underlying exchange mechanisms are determined by stress‐relaxation experiments with stress relaxation times of 0.3–54 000 s at 110 °C.
The fractal dimension of pullback attractors for the 2D Navier–Stokes equations with delay
Authors: Yang Xin‐Guang , Guo Boling , Guo Chunxiao , Li Desheng
Published: July 2020

This paper is concerned with the bounded fractal and Hausdorff dimension of the pullback attractors for 2D nonautonomous incompressible Navier‐Stokes equations with constant delay terms. Using the construction of trace formula with two bases for phase spaces of product flow, the upper boundedness of fractal dimension has been achieved.
A low‐phase‐noise and low‐power CMOS colpitts VCO using Gm boosting and capacitance switching techniques
Authors: Pakasiri Chatrpol , You Jia‐Hao , Wang Sen
Published: July 2020

This letter presents a low‐power and low‐phase‐noise 5‐GHz VCO fabricated in a standard CMOS 0.18‐μm process. The low power dissipation was achieved by using the PMOS cross‐coupled pair and Gm‐boosting topology, and the low phase noise was obtained by adding two pairs of switched capacitor array. The VCO consumed a dc power of 2.92 mW with the supply voltage of 1 V. The measured phase noises were − 104.6 dBc/Hz and − 117.4 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz offset frequency with switched off and on capacitances, respectively, which demonstrated 12.8‐dB improvement.
Strain gradient differential quadrature finite element for moderately thick micro‐plates
Authors: Zhang Bo , Li Heng , Kong Liulin , Zhang Xu , Feng Zhipeng
Published: July 2020

In this study, we integrate the advantages of differential quadrature method (DQM) and finite element method (FEM) to construct a C1‐type four‐node quadrilateral element with 48 degrees of freedom (DOF) for strain gradient Mindlin micro‐plates. This element is free of shape functions and shear locking. The C1‐continuity requirements of deflection and rotation functions are accomplished by a fourth‐order differential quadrature (DQ)‐based geometric mapping scheme, which facilitates the conversion of the displacement parameters at Gauss‐Lobatto quadrature (GLQ) points into those at element nodes. The appropriate application of DQ rule to non‐rectangular domains is proceeded by the natural‐to‐Cartesian geometric mapping technique. Using GLQ and DQ rules, we discretize the total potential energy functional of a generic micro‐plate element into a function of nodal displacement parameters. Then, we adopt the principle of minimum potential energy to determine element stiffness matrix, mass matrix, and load vector. The efficacy of the present element is validated through several examples associated with the static bending and free vibration problems of rectangular, annular sectorial, and elliptical micro‐plates. Finally, the developed element is applied to study the behavior of freely vibrating moderately thick micro‐plates with irregular shapes. It is shown that our element has better convergence and adaptability than that of Bogner‐Fox‐Schmit (BFS) one, and strain gradient effects can cause a significant increase in vibration frequencies and a certain change in vibration mode shapes.
Assessing Life Stress: A Critical Priority in Obesity Research and Treatment
Authors: Valderhaug Tone G. , Slavich George M.
Published: July 2020

Significant childhood adversity and chronic life stress are highly prevalent in patients with severe obesity. Such stress has been found to increase risk of adulthood obesity by up to 50%, and it can also substantially degrade the effectiveness of evidence‐based treatments for this chronic disease condition. Despite general appreciation of these facts, though, stress is not frequently measured in obesity research or routinely assessed during treatment for obesity or obesity‐related complications. To address this important issue, we describe several validated tools that can be used for assessing life stress and discuss how information obtained from these instruments can be integrated into obesity treatment and research. Given the documented relevance of stress for obesity, we argue that stress assessment and management should be included in clinical treatments for obesity and that stress should be routinely measured in studies examining the long‐term effects of obesity and obesity treatment.
Trends in conditional survival and predictors of late death in neuroblastoma
Authors: Olsen Hannah E. , Campbell Kevin , Bagatell Rochelle , DuBois Steven G.
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Significant advances in the treatment of neuroblastoma have been made in the past several decades. There are scant data examining how these improvements have changed over time and differentially affected conditional survival among high‐risk and non‐high‐risk patient groups.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. We analyzed clinical characteristics and survival outcomes for 4717 neuroblastoma patients. Kaplan‐Meier methods were used to estimate overall survival (OS) and conditional overall survival (COS) with estimates compared between groups using log‐rank tests.

Results

Five‐year OS was 41.46% (95% CI 38.77‐44.13) for the high‐risk group and 91.13% (95% CI 89.49‐92.53) for the non‐high‐risk group. Both groups saw significant improvements in OS by decade (P < .001). Five‐year COS among 1‐year survivors was 52.69% (CI 49.54‐55.73) for the high‐risk group and 96.75% (95% CI 95.57‐97.62) for the non‐high‐risk group. One‐year survivors in the high‐risk group showed a statistically significant improvement in COS over time. No difference in COS was observed among 5‐year high‐risk survivors. In the high‐risk and non‐high‐risk groups, 82% and 32% of late deaths were attributable to cancer, respectively. Statistically significant adverse prognostic factors for late death were age ≥ 1 year at diagnosis, metastatic disease, and nonthoracic primary site (P = .001).

Conclusions

Improvements in COS over time have largely benefited high‐risk patients, though they are still at higher risk for late death due to cancer when compared to non‐high‐risk patients. Age, stage, and primary site, but not treatment decade, influence outcomes among 5‐year survivors.
Pediatric ovarian Sertoli‐Leydig cell tumors with heterologous rhabdomyosarcoma elements: Clinical case series and review of the literature
Authors: Koo Jane , Garrington Timothy P. , Kerr Karol , Treece Amy L. , Cost Carrye R.
Published: July 2020

Sertoli‐Leydig cell tumors (SLCTs) are rare ovarian neoplasms in pediatric patients. More exceedingly rare are SLCTs that also contain heterologous rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) elements. For these patients, there is no standardized treatment. We report four cases of pediatric SLCT with heterologous RMS elements that were successfully treated with surgical resection and adjuvant chemotherapy. All four patients are alive and remain in remission.
Controlling the mechanoadaptive properties of hydrogenated nitrile rubber by the incorporation of cementious based industrial waste for downhole application
Authors: Ganguly Debabrata , Khanra Sipra , Goswami Debottam , Santra Angshuman , Ghorai Uttam Kumar , Ghorai Sanjoy Kumar , Das Amit , Sarkar Kajal , Chattopadhyay Santanu
Published: July 2020

This work aims to develop smart stimuli responsive composites utilizing hydrogenated nitrile rubber (HNBR), fly ash (FA), and slag (SG) with white cement (WC). HNBR has been chosen by capitalizing its unique attributes of high temperature performance and high oil resistance as the matrix and coining the synergistic setting characteristics of FA and SG as industrial wastes with WC. The composites displayed synergism in mechanical and thermal properties. The calcium‐rich phases of FA and SG, entice the postpolymerization modification of the rubber matrix in conjunction with cement serving as reactive fillers. The changes of modulus (~50 MPa), mass (~7%), volume (~8%), and hardness were observed upon repeated wet‐dry cycles. These are attributed to the ionic interactions between the modified polymer matrix and cementitious phases as a result of postpolymerization conversion. These smart composite materials could be used for sealing and microfluidic valves for the downhole applications in oil field industries.
Influence of Different Gases on the Performance of Gas‐Storage Glass Microballoons in Emulsion Explosives
Authors: Wang Yixin , Ma Honghao , Shen Zhaowu , Chen Jiping , Huang Liangliang
Published: July 2020

A new type of emulsion explosive sensitized by hydrogen‐storage has been invented previously. To better understand the role of hydrogen in emulsion explosives, the detonation experiments with different gas storage were conducted. Several gases, such as helium, oxygen, and nitrogen, were taken into account. Brisance tests, detonation velocity tests, and underwater detonation experiments showed that the high‐pressure hydrogen can improve the power and energy of emulsion explosive. The adiabatic compression of different gases was calculated. The pressure and temperature of the gas in GMs were obtained. Hydrogen has better compression performance than the other gases. Combining experiments and theoretical calculations can obtain that, hydrogen plays an important role in hot spots formation rate and emulsion explosive energy, and nitrogen and oxygen have little contribution to the energy of emulsion explosive, while helium is difficult to store in GMs and has a negative influence on the performance of emulsion explosive.
First‐principles investigation of structural, electronic, and optical properties of transition metal‐dopedC40 CrSi2
Authors: Pan Yong
Published: July 2020

Although CrSi2silicide is an attractive advanced functional material, the improvement of electronic and optical properties is still a challenge for its applications. Here, we apply the first‐principles calculations to investigate the influence of transition metals (TMs) on the electronic and optical properties of C40 CrSi2silicide. Five possible TMs, Ti, V, Pd, Ag, and Pt, are considered in detail. The calculated results show that the additive metals Ti, V, Pd, and Pt are thermodynamically stable in C40 CrSi2because the calculated impurity formation energy of TM‐doped C40 CrSi2is lower than zero. In particular, the V dopant is more thermodynamically stable than that of the other TMs. The calculated electronic structure shows that the band gap of C40 CrSi2is 0.391 eV, which is in good agreement with the other results. In particular, the additive TMs improve the electronic properties of C40 CrSi2due to the role of thed‐state of TMs. Naturally, the additive TMs result in band migration (Cr‐3dstate and Si‐3pstate) from the valence band to the conduction band. Interestingly, the additive TMs lead to a red shift for optical adsorption of C40 CrSi2silicide.
Sample size calculation for cluster randomization trials with a time‐to‐event endpoint
Authors: Li Jianghao , Jung Sin‐Ho
Published: July 2020

Cluster randomization trials randomize groups (called clusters) of subjects (called subunits) between intervention arms, and observations are collected from each subject. In this case, subunits within each cluster share common frailties, so that the observations from subunits of each cluster tend to be correlated. Oftentimes, the outcome of a cluster randomization trial is a time‐to‐event endpoint with censoring. In this article, we propose a closed form sample size formula for weighted rank tests to compare the marginal survival distributions between intervention arms under cluster randomization with possibly variable cluster sizes. Extensive simulation studies are conducted to evaluate the performance of our sample size formula under various design settings. Real study examples are taken to demonstrate our method.
Synthesizing Bis(β‐iminoenolate)copper(II) Complexes and Exploring Substitution Dependent Green Catalytic Application for Azide‐Alkyne Cycloaddition Reaction
Authors: Prabakaran Kaliyan , Loganathan Selvaraj , Seenivasa Perumal Muthu , Philip Anthony Savarimuthu
Published: July 2020

Bis(β‐iminoenolate)copper(II) complexes with different substituents (3 a–c)have been prepared and explored the catalytic activity for azide‐alkyne cycloaddition reaction in environmentally benign condition. Copper complexes showed highly efficient catalytic activity and produced regioselective product of 1,4‐disubstituted‐1,2,3‐triazoles in one‐pot three component reaction between benzyl chloride, sodium azide and alkynes at room temperature in water medium. The structure‐activity comparison revealed that copper complex with electron withdrawing fluoro substituent (3 c) exhibited comparatively higher catalytic activity in azide‐alkyne cycloaddition reactions and produced up to 98 % of yield with 12.5 mol % of the catalyst without addition of any other reagent.
Intracellular Fluorometric Recognition of Explosive and Mutagenic Nitroaromatics by a Luminescent Phenanthrene‐Naphthalene Sulfone
Authors: Ghosh Pritam , Das Joyee , Basak Amit , Kanti Mukhopadhyay Subhra , Banerjee Priyabrata
Published: July 2020

Luminescent phenanthrene‐naphthalene sulfone has been synthesized having phenanthrene and naphthalene as antenna center with an aim of fluorogenic in vitro detection of highly mutagenic NACs, which are hitherto less explored. The chemosensor could detect NACs selectively over NALs of which TNP detection is highly selective by a swing in fluorescence spectrum from 405 to ∼475 nm with extremely high quenching constant 1.93×105 M−1 and LOD 100 nM. Fluorometric recognition of TNP was explained through a combined complex PET‐RET‐ACQ‐CT pathway. DFT calculation has been performed to obtain the low energy configuration of the host⋅⋅⋅guest adduct. NMR titration reveals the chemical stability of the host in presence of TNP, suggests that the interaction belongs to supramolecular realm that supports the utilization of the chemosensor forin vitro detection of TNP within pollens of Tecoma Stans, Peperomia roots and Candida Albicans, indeed establishes the scaffold as a biocompatible chemosensor.
Decolorization of Textile Dye by Halophilic Exiguobacterium sp.VK1: Biomass and Exopolysaccharide (EPS) Enhancement for Bioremediation of Malachite Green
Authors: Kalpana Ramaraju , Maheshwaran Manickam , Vimali Elamathi , Soosai Michael Rahul , Shivamathi Chellam Somasundarar , Moorthy Innasimuthu Ganesh , Ashokkumar Balasubramaniem , Varalakshmi Perumal
Published: July 2020

The salt pan soil screened for the exopolysaccharides (EPS) producing organisms for the decolourization textile dyes. The isolate was characterized and confirmed as Exiguobacterium sp. VK1 by 16S rRNA analysis. The enhanced production of EPS was obtained with the minimal medium which was supplemented with various carbon sources, and cassava peel which has shown a 5.9 fold increase in the EPS (7704.71 mg/L) production. Exiguobacterium sp. VK1 removed Malachite Green (MG) dye (684.38 mg/g) with the maximum biosorption capacity of 79.1% at pH 6 and 40°C. With the increased EPS production, by supplementing the cassava peel, the MG dye adsorption also increased up to 97.61%, when decolorized within 30 min by Exiguobacterium sp. VK1. It was found that Pseudo Second‐order kinetics and Freundlich isotherm is the best fit for the equilibrium adsorption process of MG dye by Exiguobacterium sp. VK1. The thermodynamic properties such as activation energy (12.993 kJ/mol), change in enthalpy (10.501 kJ/mol), change in entropy ‐254.07 J/(mol K) and change in Gibbs energy (84.945‐90.026 kJ/mol) were investigated by Arrhenius and Eyring equation using Pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model. The result revealed that the adsorption process was thermodynamically feasible.
Synthesis and Antitubercular Activity of 4,5‐Disubstituted N1‐(5′‐deoxythymidin‐5′‐yl)‐1,2,3‐triazoles
Authors: Kumar Rajesh , Bimal Devla , Kavita  , Kumar Manish , Mathur Divya , Maity Jyotirmoy , Singh Sunil K. , Thirumal M. , Prasad Ashok K.
Published: July 2020

Synthesis of fifteen C4‐aroyl‐C5‐aryl‐N1‐(5′‐deoxythymidin‐5′‐yl)‐1,2,3‐triazoles have been reported starting from azidation of 5′‐p‐toluenesulfonyloxythymidine followed by azide‐alkene oxidative cycloaddition reaction of the resulted 5′‐azido‐5′‐deoxythymidine with 1,3‐diarylpropenones in dimethylformamide (DMF) in the presence of tetra‐n‐butylammonium hydrogen sulfate (n‐Bu4N+HSO4−, TBAHS) as catalyst in 60 to 79% overall yields. Further, they were also synthesized by one pot sequential reaction of tosylated thymidine with sodium azide in DMF and then with 1,3‐diarylpropenones in presence of n‐Bu4N+HSO4− in superior yield of 70 to 95% than 60 to 79% in two step procedure. All fifteen synthesized compounds were screened for their in vitro anti Mycobacterium tuberculosis activity against sensitive reference strain H37Rv and multi drug resistant (MDR) clinical isolate 591, and found to exhibit minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranging from 2 to 15 μg/mL, which was equivalent to the MIC of first line anti‐tubercular drug streptomycin. All compounds qualify for their drug likeness when their physicochemical parameters were assessed using online MolSoft and Lipinski filter software, except their molecular weight. The cytotoxicity of potent compounds evaluated human monocytic cell line THP‐1 by 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyl‐2H‐tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was found to be less as compared to the first line drug, isoniazid.