bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Concluding thoughts
Authors: Smith‐Isabell Natesha , Witkowsky Patricia , Cuyjet Michael J.
Published: September 2021

The concluding article acknowledges the uncertain and evolving landscape of higher education institutions as efforts continue to internationalize.
Pollution at schools and children's aerobic capacity
Authors: Marcus Michelle
Published: September 2021

Poor respiratory health is a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide, and children are especially vulnerable. Existing research in economics has documented the effect of pollution on severe health outcomes, such as hospitalizations for asthma and infant death. However, evidence on the effect of air pollution on less extreme measures of respiratory health is limited, because these effects are difficult to measure. Using a more sensitive measure, aerobic capacity (), I study the impact of air pollution on respiratory performance of children. I combine school‐grade level data from the California Physical Fitness Test from 2009 to 2017 with local air pollution and weather data to estimate the impact on student aerobic capacity of fluctuations in air pollution levels on testing days. Ozone affects child aerobic capacity at levels even below the Environmental Protection Agency thresholds.
Health care use in response to health shocks: Does socio‐economic status matter?
Authors: Fiebig Denzil G. , van Gool Kees , Hall Jane , Mu Chunzhou
Published: September 2021

We investigate how utilization of primary care, specialist care, and emergency department (ED) care (and the mix across the three) changes in response to a change in health need. We determine whether any changes in utilization are impacted by socio‐economic status. The use of a unique Australian data set that consists of a large survey linked to multiple years of detailed administrative records enables us to better control for individual heterogeneity and allows us to exploit changes in health that are related to the onset of two health shocks: a new diagnosis of diabetes and heart disease. We extend the analysis by also examining changes to patient out‐of‐pocket costs. We find significant differences in the mix between primary and specialist care use according to income and type of health shock but no evidence of using ED as a substitute for other care. Our results indicate that low‐ and high‐income patients navigate very different pathways for their care following the onset of diabetes and to a lesser extent heart disease. These pathways appear to be chosen on the basis of ability to pay, rather than the most effective or efficient bundle of care delivered through a combination of GP and specialist care.
Outcomes of salvage treatment in patients with recurrent oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Chen Tseng‐Cheng , Lo Ta‐Hsuan , Huang Huai‐Cheng , Wang Chun‐Wei , Yang Tsung‐Lin , Lou Pei‐Jen , Ko Jenq‐Yuh , Wang Cheng‐Ping
Published: September 2021

Background

The survival outcomes of different salvage treatments for patients with recurrent oral cancer remain unclear.

Methods

A total of 556 patients with recurrent oral cancer between 2010 and 2015 were reviewed. Clinical/pathological risk factors and different salvage treatments were analyzed.

Results

The 2‐year disease‐free survival rates after recurrence in patients not receiving salvage operation (305 patients), receiving salvage operation with (121 patients), and without (130 patients) major pathological risk factors (margin or extranodal extension) were 5.3%, 32.4%, and 77.2%, respectively (p < 0.001). The 2‐year overall survival rates were 20.3%, 58.4%, and 89.2%, respectively (p < 0.001). A late‐onset recurrence, salvage radiation, and salvage operation were independent factors for good disease‐free and overall survival. Salvage radiation showed survival benefits among patients not indicated for salvage operations.

Conclusions

Salvage operation was the first choice for recurrent oral cancer. Patients who received the salvage operation without major risk factors had the best survival.
Therapeutic targeting of hepatic ACSL4 ameliorates NASH in mice
Authors: Duan Jingjing , Wang Zhuo , Duan Ran , Yang Chenxinhui , Zhao Ruolin , Feng Qi , Qin Yuanyuan , Jiang Jingwei , Gu Shouyong , Lv Kaiyan , Zhang Libo , He Bixia , Birnbaumer Lutz , Yang Song , Chen Zhen , Yang Yong
Published: September 2021

Background and Aims

Globally, NAFLD is one of the most common liver disorders, with an estimated prevalence rate of more than 30% in men and 15% in women and an even higher prevalence in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Optimal pharmacologic therapeutic approaches for NAFLD are an urgent necessity.

Approach and Results

In this study, we showed that compared with healthy controls, hepatic ACSL4 levels in patients with NAFLD were found to be elevated. Suppression of ACSL4 expression promoted mitochondrial respiration, thereby enhancing the capacity of hepatocytes to mediate β‐oxidation of fatty acids and to minimize lipid accumulation by up‐regulating peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor coactivator‐1 alpha. Moreover, we found that abemaciclib is a potent and selective ACSL4 inhibitor, and low dose of abemaciclib significantly ameliorated most of the NAFLD symptoms in multiple NAFLD mice models.

Conclusions

Therefore, inhibition of ACSL4 is a potential alternative therapeutic approach for NAFLD.
Mitochondrial bioenergetics boost macrophage activation, promoting liver regeneration in metabolically compromised animals
Authors: Goikoetxea‐Usandizaga Naroa , Serrano‐Maciá Marina , Delgado Teresa C. , Simón Jorge , Fernández Ramos David , Barriales Diego , Cornide Maria E. , Jiménez Mónica , Pérez‐Redondo Marina , Lachiondo‐Ortega Sofia , Rodríguez‐Agudo Rubén , Bizkarguenaga Maider , Zalamea Juan Diego , Pasco Samuel T. , Caballero‐Díaz Daniel , Alfano Benedetta , Bravo Miren , González‐Recio Irene , Mercado‐Gómez Maria , Gil‐Pitarch Clàudia , Mabe Jon , Gracia‐Sancho Jordi , Abecia Leticia , Lorenzo Óscar , Martín‐Sanz Paloma , Abrescia Nicola G. A. , Sabio Guadalupe , Rincón Mercedes , Anguita Juan , Miñambres Eduardo , Martín César , Berenguer Marina , Fabregat Isabel , Casado Marta , Peralta Carmen , Varela‐Rey Marta , Martínez‐Chantar María Luz
Published: September 2021

Background and Aims

Hepatic ischemia–reperfusion injury (IRI) is the leading cause of early posttransplantation organ failure as mitochondrial respiration and ATP production are affected. A shortage of donors has extended liver donor criteria, including aged or steatotic livers, which are more susceptible to IRI. Given the lack of an effective treatment and the extensive transplantation waitlist, we aimed at characterizing the effects of an accelerated mitochondrial activity by silencing methylation‐controlled J protein (MCJ) in three preclinical models of IRI and liver regeneration, focusing on metabolically compromised animal models.

Approach and Results

Wild‐type (WT), MCJ knockout (KO), and Mcj silenced WT mice were subjected to 70% partial hepatectomy (Phx), prolonged IRI, and 70% Phx with IRI. Old and young mice with metabolic syndrome were also subjected to these procedures. Expression of MCJ, an endogenous negative regulator of mitochondrial respiration, increases in preclinical models of Phx with or without vascular occlusion and in donor livers. Mice lacking MCJ initiate liver regeneration 12 h faster than WT and show reduced ischemic injury and increased survival. MCJ knockdown enables a mitochondrial adaptation that restores the bioenergetic supply for enhanced regeneration and prevents cell death after IRI. Mechanistically, increased ATP secretion facilitates the early activation of Kupffer cells and production of TNF, IL‐6, and heparin‐binding EGF, accelerating the priming phase and the progression through G1/S transition during liver regeneration. Therapeutic silencing of MCJ in 15‐month‐old mice and in mice fed a high‐fat/high‐fructose diet for 12 weeks improves mitochondrial respiration, reduces steatosis, and overcomes regenerative limitations.

Conclusions

Boosting mitochondrial activity by silencing MCJ could pave the way for a protective approach after major liver resection or IRI, especially in metabolically compromised, IRI‐susceptible organs.
The immunogenomic landscape of resected intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Carapeto Fernando , Bozorgui Behnaz , Shroff Rachna T. , Chagani Sharmeen , Solis Soto Luisa , Foo Wai Chin , Wistuba Ignacio , Meric‐Bernstam Funda , Shalaby Ahmed , Javle Milind , Korkut Anil , Kwong Lawrence N.
Published: September 2021

Background and Aims

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a deadly and highly therapy‐refractory cancer of the bile ducts, with early results from immune checkpoint blockade trials showing limited responses. Whereas recent molecular assessments have made bulk characterizations of immune profiles and their genomic correlates, spatial assessments may reveal actionable insights.

Approach and Results

Here, we have integrated immune checkpoint‐directed immunohistochemistry with next‐generation sequencing of resected intrahepatic CCA samples from 96 patients. We found that both T‐cell and immune checkpoint markers are enriched at the tumor margins compared to the tumor center. Using two approaches, we identify high programmed cell death protein 1 or lymphocyte‐activation gene 3 and low CD3/CD4/inducible T‐cell costimulator specifically in the tumor center as associated with poor survival. Moreover, loss‐of‐function BRCA1‐associated protein‐1 mutations are associated with and cause elevated expression of the immunosuppressive checkpoint marker, B7 homolog 4.

Conclusions

This study provides a foundation on which to rationally improve and tailor immunotherapy approaches for this difficult‐to‐treat disease.
Improvements in the Synthesis of the Third‐Generation EGFR Inhibitor Osimertinib
Authors: Voulgari Pinelopi , Alivertis Dimitrios , Skobridis Konstantinos
Published: September 2021

Osimertinib, a third generation potent and specific EGFR inhibitor is an important drug against many forms of cancer. It was synthesized by an improved and highly efficient protocol, revisiting the classical synthetic process and modifying parameters, such as solvents, temperature, reagents, and reaction time. A cost‐effective, environmentally friendly methodology for the synthesis of osimertinib was established, which gave shorter reaction times, saved labor by eliminating purification steps through column chromatography, and enhanced yields. Four of the seven steps in total, were proceeded quantitatively or almost quantitatively (ca. 98 %). This synthetic protocol provides a very high overall yield, up to 68 %. In addition, the entire approach enables the preparation of osimertinib analogues and could be extended in the synthesis of other structurally similar bioactive compounds.
Barriers to digital health services among people living in areas of socioeconomic disadvantage: Research from hospital diabetes and antenatal clinics
Authors: Freeman Toby , Fisher Matthew , Foley Kristen , Boyd Mark A. , Ward Paul R. , McMichael Gai , Zimmermann Anthony , Dekker Gustaaf
Published: September 2021

Issue addressed

We sought to examine barriers to access to, use of, and benefits from digital health services in an area of socioeconomic disadvantage of Adelaide, Australia.

Methods

We conducted waiting room surveys in two hospital diabetes clinics and one hospital antenatal clinic in South Australia, and follow‐up telephone interviews with 20 patients. We examined the extent of access to, use of and benefits from digital health services, and what barriers people encountered. We undertook mixed methods, with quantitative descriptive analysis and qualitative analysis.

Results

Thirty‐seven diabetes clinic patients (54% response rate) and 99 antenatal clinic patients (33% response rate) participated. Sixty‐two percent of the patients with diabetes and 27% of antenatal clinic patients had never used digital health services. Seventeen percent of patients with diabetes and 30% of antenatal clinic patients were hesitant users, and 22% of patients with diabetes and 44% of antenatal clinic patients were confident users. Barriers included struggling to afford the technology or to stay connected and a lack of trust in online health information. Potential benefits included feeling more empowered and complementing face‐to‐face care.

Conclusions

There are socioeconomic barriers to access, use of, and ability to benefit from digital health strategies that mean not everyone will be able to benefit from digital health services.

So What?

As COVID‐19 accelerates the shift towards digital health services, people experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage may be excluded. If barriers to access and use are not addressed, they will exacerbate already increasing health inequities.
COVID‐19 vaccination strategies and policies in India: The need for further re‐evaluation is a pressing priority
Authors: Rackimuthu Sudhan , Hasan Mohammad Mehedi , Bardhan Mainak , Essar Mohammad Yasir
Published: September 2021

India is one of the worst‐hit nations by the COVID‐19 pandemic and witnessed a devastating impact across cities in the country. Although behavioral measures like wearing a face mask, maintaining social distance, and hand hygiene helped to control the spread of the disease initially, but a long‐term action by vaccinating the population is a promising solution. On 16 January 2021, India undertook the challenge to vaccinate 300 million people by August 2021 against COVID‐19, the largest vaccination campaign globally. India has been lauded by several prominent organizations around the world for its efforts. But catering to India's massive population is not without its own set of complex challenges. As of 29 July 2021, a mere 9.82 million (approximately 7.03 percent of the total Indian population) people have been fully vaccinated against COVID‐19 with the first and second dose, and only 352.5 million (roughly 25.28 percent of the total Indian population) have been partly vaccinated with the first dose. This shows, India's current COVID‐19 vaccination policies and plans are still inadequate and not undisputedly equitable even after several amendments in the guidelines. However, even with the second wave abating slowly and steadily in India, there is a need to further re‐strategize the current vaccination policy and plans in India against COVID‐19 to help achieve long‐term positive outcomes in the shortest feasible time frame hoping to evade a third wave.
COVID‐19 pandemic responses of Canada and United States in first 6 months: A comparative analysis
Authors: Combden Shianne , Forward Anita , Sarkar Atanu
Published: September 2021

Introduction

Canada and the United States have distinct health care and social policies, and it is important to see how they had been responding to the ongoing COVID‐19 pandemic.

Methods

The study period was limited to the first 6 months of the pandemic and aimed to explore the responses by public health authorities, media, general population, and law makers during the initial phase of pandemic.

Results

Social disparity, underfunded pandemic preparation, and the initial failure to act appropriately have resulted in the rapid spread of infection in both countries. In the United States, prevailing social inequalities and racism, inaccessible health care, higher rates of preexisting medical conditions and disputed political leadership have further deteriorated the situation and enhanced public suffering, particularly for the black and Indigenous communities. In Canada, its poorly regulated services of long‐term care facilities, initial restriction of testing and lack of access to epidemiological data have helped spread the infection and increased casualties in vulnerable populations.

Conclusion

Analysis of the pandemic responses of the United States and Canada has revealed how existing social disparity, underfunded pandemic preparation, and the initial failure to act appropriately have resulted in the rapid spread of infection.
Remote vital signs data monitoring during home blood transfusion: A pilot study
Authors: Nishikawa Akinori , Fujimori Yoshihiro , Sakano Noriko , Mushino Toshiki , Tamura Shinobu , Kasahara Shingo , Akasaka Hiroshi , Sonoki Takashi
Published: September 2021

Background and aims

Our study aimed to establish safer methods to manage home blood transfusion by using a remote vital signs data monitoring system. Home care is administered for patients with various medical disorders; however, home blood transfusion remains challenging owing to the risk of transfusion‐related complications.

Methods

We set up a remote vital signs data monitoring system to improve the safety of home blood transfusions. Using an Internet‐based vital signs data monitoring system, the heart rate, electrocardiography, respiration rate, and percutaneous oxygen saturation (SpO2) were monitored and recorded during the entire home transfusion period.

Results

Ten transfusions in three patients were monitored; two of the patients had an abnormality in a single vital sign (decreased SpO2 decrease and increased respiratory rate); these were not transfusion‐related complications. Vital sign anomalies also occur because of errors in using the measurement device and noise associated with body movements. The presence of abnormalities in at least two vital signs among SpO2 decrease, tachycardia, and increased respiratory rate that persisted for >5 minutes was defined as a complicated vital sign abnormality (CVSA). There were no severe transfusion‐related complications with CVSA in the present study.

Conclusion

This study indicates the feasibility and sustainability of real‐time remote monitoring of vital signs for the safety of home transfusion. Although CVSA may function as an indicator of severe transfusion‐related complications, these findings need to be confirmed with further studies.
Fluvial suspended sediment transfer and lacustrine sedimentation of recent flood turbidites in proglacial Eklutna Lake, western Chugach Mountains, Alaska
Authors: Schiefer Erik , Geck Jason , Ostman Johnse S. , McKay Nicholas P. , Praet Nore , Loso Michael G. , Kaufman Darrell S.
Published: September 2021

Suspended sediment delivery and deposition in proglacial lakes is generally sensitive to a wide range of hydrometeorologic and geomorphic controls. High discharge conditions are of particular importance in many glaciolacustrine records, with individual floods potentially recorded as distinctive turbidites. We used an extensive network of surface sediment cores and hydroclimatic monitoring data to analyse recent flood turbidites and associated sediment transfer controls over instrumental periods at Eklutna Lake, western Chugach Mountains, Alaska. Close to a decade of fluvial data from primary catchment tributaries show a dominating influence of discharge on sediment delivery, with various interconnections with other related hydroclimatic controls. Multivariate fluvial models highlight and help quantify some complexities in sediment transfer, including intra‐annual variations, meteorological controls, and the influence of subcatchment glacierization. Sediments deposited in Eklutna Lake during the last half century are discontinuously varved and contain multiple distinctive turbidites. Over a 30‐year period of stratigraphic calibration, we correlate the four thickest flood turbidites (1989, 1995, 2006, and 2012) to specific regional storms. The studied turbidites correlate with late‐summer and early‐autumn rainstorms with a magnitude of relatively instantaneous sedimentation 3–15 times greater than annual background accumulation. Our network of sediment core data captured the broad extent and sediment variability among the study turbidites and background sediment yield. Within‐lake spatial modelling of deposition quantifies variable rates of downlake thinning and sediment focusing effects, and highlights especially large differences between the thickest flood turbidites and background sedimentation. This we primarily relate to strongly contrasting dispersion processes controlled by inflow current strength and turbidity. Sediment delivery is of interest for this catchment because of reservoir and water supply operations. Furthermore, although smaller floods may not be consistently represented, the lake likely contains a valuable proxy record of regional flooding proximal to major population centers of south‐central Alaska including Anchorage.
Long‐term precipitation and stream discharge records at seven forested experimental watersheds along a latitudinal transect in Japan: Jozankei, Kamabuchi, Takaragawa, Tsukuba, Tatsunokuchi‐yama, Kahoku and Sarukawa
Authors: Shimizu Takanori , Tamai Koji , Hosoda Ikuhiro , Noguchi Shoji , Kominami Yuji , Abe Toshio , Kitamura Kenzo , Kurokawa Ushio , Levia Delphis F. , Kubota Tayoko , Kabeya Naoki , Iida Shin'ichi , Nobuhiro Tatsuhiko , Sawano Shinji , Iwagami Sho , Shimizu Akira , Tsuboyama Yoshio
Published: September 2021

This data note introduces a database of long‐term daily total precipitation and stream discharge data for seven forested watersheds in Japan that have been continuously monitored by the Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute. Three of the watersheds started data collection in the 1930s. Forest cover across the sites ranges from cool to warm temperate regions with the latitude spanning from 31 to 44° N and annual precipitation ranging from 1200 to 3000 mm yr−1. The effects of vegetation change via clearcutting, thinning and forest fire (among other stressors) on stream discharge can be analysed from the long‐term observation sites. Moreover, this multi‐site dataset allows for inter‐ and intra‐site comparisons of annual water loss (difference of annual precipitation and stream discharge). These long‐term datasets can provide comprehensive insights into the effects of climate change and other stressors on forested ecosystems, not only in Japan but across a spectrum of forest types, if combined with other long‐term records from other forested watersheds across the world.
A synthetic review of terrestrial biological research from the Alberta oil sands region: 10 years of published literature
Authors: Roberts David R. , Bayne Erin M. , Beausoleil Danielle , Dennett Jacqueline , Fisher Jason T. , Hazewinkel Roderick O. , Sayanda Diogo , Wyatt Faye , Dubé Monique G.
Published: September 2021

In the past decade, a large volume of peer-reviewed papers has examined the potential impacts of oil and gas resource extraction in the Canadian oil sands (OS). A large proportion focuses on terrestrial biology: wildlife, birds, and vegetation. We provide a qualitative synthesis of the condition of the environment in the oil sands region (OSR) from 2009 to 2020 to identify gaps and progress cumulative effects assessments. Our objectives were to (1) qualitatively synthesize and critically review knowledge from the OSR; (2) identify consistent trends and generalizable conclusions; and (3) pinpoint gaps in need of greater monitoring or research effort. We visualize knowledge and terrestrial monitoring foci by allocating papers to a conceptual model for the OS. Despite a recent increase in publications, focus has remained concentrated on a few key stressors, especially landscape disturbance, and a few taxa of interest. Stressor and response monitoring is well represented, but direct monitoring of pathways (linkages between stressors and responses) is limited. Important knowledge gaps include understanding effects at multiple spatial scales, mammal health effects monitoring, focused monitoring of local resources important to Indigenous communities, and geospatial coverage and availability, including higher attribute resolution in human footprint, comprehensive land cover mapping, and up-to-date LiDAR coverage. Causal attribution based on spatial proximity to operations or spatial orientation of monitoring in the region is common but may be limited in the strength of inference that it provides. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2022;18:388–406. © 2021 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).

KEY POINTS

We provide a qualitative synthesis of the condition of the environment in the Canadian oil sands region (OSR) in northeastern Alberta from 2009 to 2020 to identify gaps and progress cumulative effects assessments.  Despite a recent increase in publications, focus has remained concentrated on a few key stressors and a few taxa of interest, for which monitoring is well represented, though direct monitoring of pathways (linkages between stressors and responses) is limited.  Important gaps include a lack of understanding of effects at multiple spatial scales, a lack of focused monitoring of local resources important to Indigenous communities, and geospatial data resolution and availability.  Causal attribution based on spatial proximity to oil sands operations or spatial orientation of monitoring in the OSR is common but may be limited in the strength of inference that it provides.
Chirality and Supramolecular Copolymerizations – The Elusive Role of Subtle Solvation Effects
Authors: Preuss Marco D. , Jansen Stef A. H. , Vantomme Ghislaine , Meijer E. W.
Published: September 2021

Recent investigations of supramolecular polymers based on chiral triphenylene‐2,6,10‐tricarboxamides (TTAs) showed how temperature‐induced changes in solvation can greatly influence the preferred helical conformation of the supramolecular polymers formed. Here, we combine chiral TTA with achiral copolymerization partners to further investigate temperature‐dependent solvation effects. Systematic variation of the system's composition shows clear impacts on the temperature window where the conformational change occurs. Further, simple chain length variations in the achiral comonomer greatly affect the ability to influence the conformational change in the copolymer, while the differences in the properties of the individual homopolymers are rather small. We herein highlight how subtle changes in the monomers can impact the observed copolymer properties drastically; an effect arising from the emerging complexity of multicomponent interactions in supramolecular copolymers with solvent‐solute interactions being more important than typically thought.
Adnexal masses: Diagnostic performance of contrast‐enhanced ultrasound using the simple rules from the International Ovarian Tumor Analysis group
Authors: Xu Ailing , Nie Fang , Liu Ting , Dong Tiantian , Bu Lan , Yang Dan
Published: September 2021

Objective

To evaluate the role of the Simple Rules (SR) from the International Ovarian Tumor Analysis group in contrast‐enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) of for the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant adnexal tumors.

Methods

A total of 180 patients with suspected malignant adnexal masses admitted to Lanzhou University Second Hospital were included, all of whom received conventional ultrasound (US) and CEUS examination before surgery. All masses were assessed using SR in US and SR in CEUS. To compare the diagnostic performance, the sensitivity, specificity, negative and positive predictive values, Youden index, and area under the curves values of SR in US and SR in CEUS were obtained.

Results

Sensitivity, negative predictive values, Youden index, and area under the curves were better for SR in CEUS than SR in US. The specificity and negative predictive value of SR in CEUS were lower than that of SR in US. Compared with SR in US, SR in CEUS significantly reduced the number of uncertain masses (21, 36.7% vs. 66, 11.7%).

Conclusion

We concluded that SR in CEUS performed well in the diagnosis of malignant adnexal masses. SR in CEUS is a supplement to SR in US.
Outcomes of cesarean delivery in obstetric patients with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection
Authors: Lankford Allison , Berger Jeffrey , Benjenk Ivy , Jackson Amanda , Ahmadzia Homa , Mazzeffi Michael
Published: September 2021

Synopsis

SARS‐CoV‐2 infection was not associated with increased mortality, but was associated with a modest increase in morbidity, including stillbirth, in cesarean delivery patients in Maryland, USA.
Toward absolute viability measurements for bacteria
Authors: Dunkers Joy P. , Iyer Hariharan , Jones Brynna , Camp Charles H. , Stranick Stephan J. , Lin Nancy J.
Published: September 2021

We aim to develop a quantitative viability method that distinguishes individual quiescent from dead cells and is measured in time (ns) as a referenceable, comparable quantity. We demonstrate that fluorescence lifetime imaging of an anionic, fluorescent membrane voltage probe fulfills these requirements forStreptococcus mutans. A random forest machine‐learning model assesses whether individualS. mutanscan be correctly classified into their original populations: stationary phase (quiescent), heat killed and inactivated via chemical fixation. We compare the results to intensity using three models: lifetime variables (τ1, τ2and p1), phasor variables (G, S) or all five variables, with the five variable models having the most accurate classification. This initial work affirms the potential for using fluorescence lifetime of a membrane voltage probe as a viability marker for quiescent bacteria, and future efforts on other bacterial species and fluorophores will help refine this approach.
Influence of UV‐irradiation intensity and exposure duration on the hemobiocompatibility enhancement of a novel synthesized phosphobetaine zwitterions polyethersulfone clinical hemodialysis membranes
Authors: Eduok Ubong , Camara Heloisa , Abdelrasoul Amira , Shoker Ahmed
Published: September 2021

To improve the biocompatibility of polyethersulfone (PES) membranes utilized for biomedical hemodialysis (HD) applications, surface grafting with hydrophilic polymers has become a reliable modification strategy. Like most photochemical catalyzed reactions, UV‐assisted grafting is distinctly advantageous for inducing permanent surface chemistry, enhancing hydrophilicity, improving morphology, and surface charge of membranes. PES membranes may be hydrophilic and chemically stable; however, they also have low protein‐binding capacity and very susceptible to fouling and target analyte binding. In this study, novel zwitterionic polymers (PVP‐ZW) have been synthesized by UV‐assisted grafting PVP to a phosphobetaine monomer in a reaction involving dimethylamino and dioxaphospholane‐2‐oxide terminal groups in an NVP monomer solution at varying UV exposure conditions. The highlight of the present study is the investigation of the hemocompatibility of coated PES HD membranes at varying UV exposure conditions with respect to membrane chemistry and morphology and its influence on human serum protein adsorption. A clinical investigation of inflammatory biomarker release from incubated coated membranes within uremic blood samples of HD patients reveals they are weak complement and coagulation activators compared to bare PES membrane. The trend of fibrinogen adsorption on coated PES membranes was observed to increase with reducing UV intensity and exposure duration. Fibrinogen adhesion only increased with roughened membrane surfaces, and this also led to the formation of biological activation pathways hindering biocompatibility. Resistance against fibrinogen absorption on zwitterionic modified PES membrane could be linked with the creation of electrostatically induced neutral zwitterionic PVP‐phosphobetaine hydration layer with hydrophilic character. Experimental results are accompanied by spectroscopic and morphological imaging evidence. Zwitterion coated PES membranes (PES‐PVP‐ZW) fabricated from higher UV intensities through longer exposure durations showed significant presence of surface deformations in the forms of inherent exfoliations due to harsh UV reaction conditions. The zeta potential and surface roughness of coated membranes also played significant role in the fibrinogen adsorption on PES membranes during ultrafiltration.
The report from ASFA COVID‐19 taskforce: Considerations and prioritization on apheresis procedures during the SARS‐CoV‐2 coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) pandemic
Authors: Yamada Chisa , Hofmann Jan C. , Witt Volker , Gupta Gaurav K. , Winters Jeffrey L. ,   The ASFA COVID‐19 Taskforce
Published: September 2021

Since vaccination for SARS‐CoV‐2 coronavirus started, the trajectory of patient numbers infected with the virus has improved once; however, variants of SARS‐CoV‐2 have emerged and more people have been infected; therefore, pandemic status is still far from resolution. Government and social efforts to prevent coronavirus infection continue in most states in the US and globally even after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declared some restriction relief for fully vaccinated people in March 2021. Healthcare institutions and various professional organizations have developed guidelines or policies to prevent the spread of these coronaviruses in the setting of apheresis. In this report, the issues that apheresis services may encounter under the current COVID‐19 (SARS‐CoV‐2 coronavirus disease) pandemic will be discussed with potential strategies that can be adapted for efficient and optimum use of apheresis resources.
Response surface methodology optimization of supramolecular dispersive liquid‐liquid microextraction‐solidified floating organic drop of brilliant green and its spectrophotometric determination
Authors: Bahrami Mohammad , Haji Shabani Ali Mohammad , Dadfarnia Shayessteh , Samadzadeh Yazdi Mohamad Reza
Published: September 2021

A simple supramolecular dispersive liquid‐liquid microextraction‐solidified floating organic drop (SMDLLME‐SFOD) method was developed for the separation and preconcentration of brilliant green (BG) before its spectrophotometric determination. The method is based on the extraction of ion‐pair of BG with sodium dodecyl sulfate into the coacervates made up of decanoic acid reverse micelles in the tetrahydrofuran‐water mixture. The influence of the effective parameters on the extraction of BG was investigated and optimized using response surface methodology. Under the optimized conditions, the calibration graph was linear in the range of 1.0–50.0 μg L−1 of BG. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were 0.28 μg L−1 and 0.94 μg L−1, respectively. The repeatability expressed as the relative standard deviation for six replicate measurements at 5.0 μg L−1 BG was 3.6%. The method was successfully applied to the extraction and determination of BG in different water and fish samples.
Metformin and the Risk of Anemia of Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Wu Chien‐Tung , Tsai Yueh‐Ting , Jung Hsuan‐Kuang , Fu Shu‐Ling , Hsiung Chao Agnes , Liu Hsiao‐Yu , Lai Jung‐Nien
Published: September 2021

This retrospective cohort study determines whether metformin monotherapy or combination therapies can decrease anemia risk in the progress of advanced chronic kidney disease for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The data set was obtained from the National Health Insurance Research Database, containing 1 million randomly selected beneficiaries. After matching, 9303 pairs (1:1) of metformin users and nonusers were acquired. Every patient was individually recorded from 1997 to 2012 to identify anemia incidence (hemoglobin <9 gm/dL). Cox regression models were used to compute hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). There were 305 (0.7%) and 76 (0.8%) erythropoietin‐stimulating agent cases in the metformin and non‐metformin cohorts over a mean follow‐up period of 6.8 and 5.6 years. After matching, the use of metformin decreased the risk of usage of erythropoietin‐stimulating agents with an adjusted hazard ratio of 0.76 (95%CI, 0.45‐1.29) for dosage of <357 g to 0.30 (95%CI, 0.17‐0.56) for >1368 g. The combination of metformin and dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitors decreased with a hazard ratio of 0.42 (95%CI, 0.18‐0.99), compared to metformin alone. Metformin combined with dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitors is superior to metformin monotherapy or non‐metformin antidiabetic therapies for reducing the risk of anemia in the progress of advanced chronic kidney disease among patients with type 2 diabetes.
Ethical Branding in A Divided World: How Political Orientation Motivates Reactions to Marketplace Transgressions
Authors: Allard Thomas , McFerran Brent
Published: September 2021

In today's marketplace, users (e.g., purchasers, influencers) are increasingly the “face” of brands to potential consumers, increasing the risk for brands should these users act poorly. Across seven studies, we document that political orientation moderates the desire for punishment toward users of ethical (vs. conventional) brands who commit moral transgressions. In response to identical marketplace transgressions, we observe that liberals punish ethical brand users less than conventional brand users. In contrast, conservatives punish the same users of ethical brands more than conventional brand users. We document that this bias stems from how people interpret the inconsistency between the ethical branding and the act of transgression, rather than from a group‐identity effect, showing how it does not arise in the absence of inconsistent information or when consumers are not able to integrate the inconsistent information to their judgments. We also investigate an avenue by which firms can reframe their ethical branding to reduce this politically motivated bias. We discuss this work's implications for moral judgments, marketplace attribute formation, and the branding of ethical goods in a politically divided world.
Modelling and optimization of main independent parameters for biodiesel production over a Cu0.4Zn0.6Al2O4 catalyst using an RSM method
Authors: Hashemzehi Mojgan , Pirouzfar Vahid , Nayebzadeh Hamed , Su Chia‐Hung
Published: September 2021

In this research, the modeling of Cu0.4Zn0.6Al2O4 catalysts performance and optimizing of esterification reactions were considered by the central composite design (RSM) response method. The main independent parameters of temperature, the ratio of alcohol to oil, the amount of catalyst and time duration have been considered for setting the esterification process. To access the maximum activity in the esterification process, the optimum conditions are estimated at 10.42 the molar ratio of alcohol to oil, 2.98 wt.% for the amount of catalyst at the temperature of 163.37 °C and within 4.15 hrs. Under these conditions, the conversion will be above 97.94%. These conditions have been applied to adjust the process of transesterification of waste cooking oil. The reusability of the Cu0.4Zn0.6Al2O4 nanocatalyst in the esterification reaction was investigated in this study. Employed statistical techniques and developed models can be employed as a useful tool for design, prediction, and optimization of the biodiesel production process with effective performance for various industrial applications. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Release characteristics of chloride during single droplet drying process of desulfurization wastewater
Authors: Gu Liyan , Shen Tiejia , Zhan Lingxiao , Chen Heng , Feng Qianyuan , Zhou Hao , Yang Linjun
Published: September 2021

BACKGROUND

The release characteristics of chloride during the evaporation process of desulfurization wastewater droplets were studied by single droplet drying experiments. The mass, size and temperature variation of droplets during the evaporation process were measured and the release mechanism of chloride was revealed. In addition, the influence of temperature, pH value and metal cation species on the release characteristics of chloride was explored.

RESULTS

Combined with the evaporation process, chloride release could be divided into three stages: free water evaporation, shell instability and crystallization chloride salt hydrolysis. In the initial stage, moisture removal was the dominant phenomenon and almost no chloride release was observed. During the stage of shell instability, cycles of droplet inflation and rupture took place, and the release amount of chloride accounted for 51.2% of the total release amount in the typical working conditions. Hydrolysis of crystallization chloride salt played a key role in chloride release and about 46.0% chloride release could be traced during the last stage. High temperature would boost the chloride release; with pH value increasing from 3 to 9, chloride release decreased from 39.7% to 28.8%; a higher magnesium concentration would enhance the chloride release due to the greater hydrolysis strength.

CONCLUSION

Chloride in the wastewater droplet would not transfer to the gas phase until the evaporation proceeded to the stage of shell instability. The chloride release characteristics investigated in this work are expected to control the HCl emission in practical engineering of hot flue gas evaporation. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Hydrolysis of semi‐industrial aqueous extracted xylan from birch (Betula pendula) employing commercial catalysts: kinetics and modelling
Authors: Lu Xiaojia , Junghans Paula , Wärnå Johan , Hilpmann Gerd , Lange Rüdiger , Trajano Heather , Eränen Kari , Estel Lionel , Leveneur Sebastien , Grénman Henrik
Published: September 2021

BACKGROUND

Acidic hydrolysis of a birch (Betula pendula) xylan produced by a novel semi‐industrial‐scale aqueous‐based and highly sustainable method was studied in a batch reactor. Five commercial acidic heterogeneous catalysts were screened and significant differences in their performance were observed. Dowex 50WX2‐100 was selected for further studies and the influence of the reaction parameters, including stirring speed, pH (0.5–1.5), temperature (115–145 °C) and catalyst particle size (50–400 mesh) were studied. The goal was to maximize xylose yield by balancing between the kinetics of hydrolysis and the undesired degradation of monosaccharides.

RESULTS

The results show that the maximum achieved yield of xylose was 76%, but higher yields were hindered by the consecutive dehydration of sugars. It was also observed that the hydrolysis and dehydration reactions do not follow the same dependence on the experimental parameters, which leaves room for optimization of the yield. A kinetic model was developed based on the data, which takes into account the consecutive reaction pathway and the influence of the experimental conditions, and a very good fit of the model to the experimental data was achieved. An activation energy of 119 and 88 kJ mol–1 was obtained for the hydrolysis and dehydration steps, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Hydrolysis results of this novel, well‐characterized hemicellulose extract have not been published previously, and they contribute significantly to the understanding of the hydrolysis and dehydration of real feedstock, instead of highly purified and typically very deacetylated model compounds with different characteristics and behaviour in hydrolysis. © 2021 The Authors. Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Surface and stability analysis of immobilized laccase on poly(ethylene terephthalate) grafted maleic anhydride nanofiber mat
Authors: Mohd Syukri Mohd Syahlan , Mohamad Zurina , A Rahman Roshanida , Illias Rosli Md , Tokuyama Hideaki
Published: September 2021

BACKGROUND

A poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) based carrier was used for enzyme immobilization due to its good physical and mechanical properties. However, its high hydrophobicity and chemically inactive properties hindered its capability as an enzyme carrier. This study developed a PET‐based carrier by grafting PET with maleic anhydride (MAH) before electrospinning. This carrier was used to immobilize laccase and characterized based on its stability after immobilization.

RESULTS

The highest laccase activity recovery for laccase immobilized on PET‐g‐MAH nanofiber mat was 59.17% using covalent bonding, followed by the crosslinking method. The static water contact angle of PET‐g‐MAH nanofiber mats was reduced from 129 ± 8o to 109 ± 12o. Based on the Wenzel model, the reduction was due to the decrease in surface roughness of the hydrophobic surface. Besides, the immobilized laccase also withstood high temperature up to 60 °C and retained about 29.22% ± 5.06% of its initial activity after 30 days of storage and repeated use.

CONCLUSION

Laccase immobilization on PET‐g‐MAH nanofiber has good stability (thermal, storage and reusability) and is recommended to be implemented in the industries. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Genetic counseling research and COVID‐19: A lesson in resiliency
Authors: Borle Kennedy , Dey Alivia , Carrion Prescilla ,   GenCOUNSEL Study, Austin Jehannine , Elliott Alison M.
Published: September 2021

GenCOUNSEL is the largest genetic counseling research grant awarded to date and brings together experts in genetic counseling, genomics, law and policy, health services implementation, and health economics research. It is the first project of its kind to examine the genetic counseling issues associated with the clinical implementation of genome‐wide sequencing (exome and genome sequencing). GenCOUNSEL is a Canadian‐based, multi‐method research study that takes place over a variety of sites, including non‐clinical, clinical, and laboratory research sites and includes the training of undergraduate and graduate students. The COVID‐19 pandemic will likely have a lasting impact on genetic counseling service delivery, research, and training. Almost every aspect of the GenCOUNSEL research project has been impacted by the COVID‐19 pandemic. Here we describe how our research recruitment strategies, methods, resource allocation, and training capacity have been affected. We discuss ways that we have adapted to the pandemic including revision of our research methods and work to understand the barriers in order to optimize opportunities. We finish with take‐home messages to fellow researchers highlighting the importance of resiliency in genetic counseling research.
An elegant and efficient synthesis of heterocycles integrated with bis‐N‐acyl pyrazoline and bis‐1, 2, 3‐triazole via a green synthetic methodology
Authors: Vellingiri Archana , Murugan Dinesh , Gnana Kumar George , Alagusundaram Ponnuswamy
Published: September 2021

Highly efficient and sustainable one‐pot multicomponent synthetic protocol has been accomplished for the synthesis of novel bis‐N‐substituted pyrazolinyl‐1, 2, 3‐triazole hybrids from readily available starting materials via operationally simple mechanochemical grinding approach. The present solvent‐free synthetic protocol is advantageous for being atom economic involving short reaction time, ambient temperature, and non‐chromatographic separation of products.
Series diode‐connected current mirror based linear and sensitive negative bias temperature instability monitoring circuit
Authors: Bhootda Natwar , Yadav Ankit , Neema Vaibhav , Shah Ambika Prasad , Vishvakarma Santosh Kumar
Published: September 2021

Scaling of technology has a severe impact on the reliability of semiconductor devices. Negative bias temperature instability (NBTI) is a dominant factor in reliability degradation in nano‐scale technology. It is an aging phenomenon, which degrades the p‐channel metal oxide semiconductor (PMOS) transistors over time. A large area of the system on chip is covered by static random access memory (SRAM) and thus the overall system performance greatly depends on the stability of SRAM. In this paper, we evaluate the effect of NBTI on 6T SRAM cell performance for the stress period of 10 years. The simulation results show that the write margin is increased by 3.356% whereas hold static noise margin (SNM), read SNM, and standby leakage current is reduced by 6.53%, 23.86%, and 13.42%, respectively. We also present a series diode‐connected current mirror‐based linear and sensitive NBTI monitoring circuit using n‐channel metal oxide semiconductor (NMOS) transistors only. Continuous monitoring of the NBTI effect without any bias generator or control circuit is vital for the proposed sensor circuit. We have developed the electrical equivalent model and mathematical model of the proposed sensor for the fair comparison of results obtained through simulation and modeling. The sensitivity of the sensor is 40.6 μV/nA, and the sensor output voltage has a temperature variation of 20 μV/°C.