bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of multi‐criteria decision‐making approach in healthcare surgical management
Authors: Gardas Bhaskar B. , Ghongade Nilesh P. , Jagtap Annasaheb H.
Published: May 2021

The decision‐making process in healthcare systems, especially in the area of surgical management is generally considered to have a low level of transparency; hence, effective decision‐making plays a vital role in the case sector. Non‐union of a fracture is dependent on many critical causative factors and in the past healthcare management studies, several research activities highlighted the influence of various causative factors on non‐union. However, none of the studies neither tried to prioritise the factors nor identified the interrelationship between them. In the present research, through literature review and opinions of seven surgeons' 10 causative factors of non‐union were shortlisted and they were analysed and modelled by a multi‐criteria decision‐making tool. The total interpretive structural modelling (TISM) methodology was used for identifying the mutual relationships among the causative factors and for developing a hierarchical structure. Also, the MICMAC approach was employed to identify the significant/dominant factors. The results of the TISM approach and MICMAC analysis revealed that ‘Alcohol abuse’ was found to be the most significant causative factor followed by ‘use of tobacco’, and ‘inappropriate dynamisation’ was found to be the least important. This study intends to guide the medical practitioners and healthcare managers in understanding the mutual influence of the causative factors and prioritisation of the same. Further, it helps them to carry out the surgical management effectively.
Discrete soliton solutions of the fractional discrete coupled nonlinear Schrödinger equations: Three analytical approaches
Authors: Lu Peng‐Hong , Wang Yue‐Yue , Dai Chao‐Qing
Published: May 2021

The fractional discrete coupled nonlinear Schrödinger equations are solved on account of the modified Riemann–Liouville fractional derivative and Mittag–Leffler function. By using the fractional generalized Riccati method, generalized Mittag–Leffler function method and fractional generalized tanh–sech function method, some new analytical discrete solutions constructed by generalized trigonometric and hyperbolic functions are obtained, including discrete fractional bright soliton, dark soliton, combined soliton, and periodic solutions. In order to illustrate the effect of fractional order parameter on dynamics of fractional discrete soliton, some results in this study are illustrated graphically. Results indicate that although the combined wave is made up of singular coth function, it does not exhibit the singular property in the discrete case. Moreover, two kinds of scalar soliton solutions are found. These results could be of great significance to further study complex nonlinear discrete physical phenomena.
Application of fractional theory in quantum back propagation neural network
Authors: Dong Yumin , Li Xiang , Zhang Jinlei , Li Ziyi , Hou Dong
Published: May 2021

In this paper, by applying the theory of fractional calculus to quantum back propagation (BP) neural network, a quantum BP algorithm based on the definition of fractional Grünwald–Letnikoff (G‐L) is proposed. We choose the Sigmoid linear superposition function to replace the activation function of the traditional neural network to construct a fractional quantum BP neural network structure. Experimental results prove that this algorithm improves the convergence speed of the network and reduces the convergence error.
Dysfunction in Sertoli cells participates in glucocorticoid‐induced impairment of spermatogenesis
Authors: Ren Li , Zhang Yanwen , Xin Yining , Chen Guo , Sun Xiaoxiao , Chen Yingqi , He Bin
Published: May 2021

The effect of stress on male fertility is a widespread public health issue, but less is known about the related signaling pathway. To investigate this, we established a hypercortisolism mouse model by supplementing the drinking water with corticosterone for four weeks. In the hypercortisolism mice, the serum corticosterone was much higher than in the control, and serum testosterone was significantly decreased. Moreover, corticosterone treatment induced decrease of sperm counts and increase of teratozoospermia. Increased numbers of multinucleated giant cells and apoptotic germ cells as well as downregulated meiotic markers suggested that corticosterone induced impaired spermatogenesis. Further, upregulation of macrophage‐specific marker antigen F4/80 as well as inflammation‐related genes suggested that corticosterone induced inflammation in the testis. Lactate content was found to be decreased in the testis and Sertoli cells after corticosterone treatment, and lactate metabolism‐related genes were downregulated. In vitro phagocytosis assays showed that the phagocytic activity in corticosterone‐treated Sertoli cells was downregulated and accompanied by decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, while pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase‐4 inhibitor supplementation restored this process. Taken together, our results demonstrated that dysfunctional phagocytosis capacity and lactate metabolism in Sertoli cells participates in corticosterone‐induced impairment of spermatogenesis.
Urban green space soundscapes and their perceived restorativeness
Authors: Uebel Konrad , Marselle Melissa , Dean Angela J. , Rhodes Jonathan R. , Bonn Aletta
Published: May 2021

The positive influence of urban green spaces on human health and well‐being is well known while the pathways are little understood. Past research has largely focused on visual stimuli, yet the auditory pathway is also an important means for contact with nature.

The sonic environments of urban green spaces, however, are rarely entirely natural and many differ in their composition of natural sounds and anthropogenic noise. Few studies have investigated how these differences may impact the restorative potential of these soundscapes and, in particular, how the presence of traffic noise may constrain the benefits of natural sounds.

To address this gap, we examined differences in the perceived restorativeness and perceived restorative outcomes across a gradient of eight park soundscapes that differed in bird and traffic sounds. In a laboratory setting, 162 participants listened to sound samples and reported on perceptions of the soundscapes and restorative potential and outcomes.

The results strongly indicate that park soundscapes with a rich array of perceived bird sounds and minimal perceived traffic noise offer the greatest perceived restoration. Traffic noise was found to moderate the positive effect of bird sounds. The duration of time lived in the city and noise sensitivity were also positively associated with greater perceived restorative benefits while noise‐sensitive people were also more negatively affected by traffic noise.

The promotion of highly natural soundscapes in urban green spaces and the reduction of traffic noise can provide nature‐based solutions to human health and well‐being in urban areas.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Invasion landscapes as social‐ecological systems: Role of social factors in invasive plant species control
Authors: Yletyinen Johanna , Perry George L. W. , Burge Olivia R. , Mason Norman W. H. , Stahlmann‐Brown Philip
Published: May 2021

Biological invasions are a major threat to biodiversity and human well‐being. Scientists and environmental managers typically seek ecological solutions to the biological invasion problem. However, micro‐scale social factors, such as landowner attitudes and social interactions that underlie landowners’ willingness to control invasive species, may provide an important lever for controlling biological invasions. Yet, compared to our ecological understanding of invasion dynamics, little is known about the effect of micro‐level social factors on the efficiency of invasive species control.

Here, we determine how landowners’ micro‐scale social factors contribute to the efficiency of invasive species control, that is, landowners’ ability to contain or eradicate invasion at landscape level. First, we survey landowners across New Zealand to gain an understanding of the social factors that affect their willingness and ability to control invasive conifers. Then, we disentangle how micro‐scale social factors influence landscape‐level patterns of conifer invasion using a social‐ecological simulation model. We estimate the influence of social factors individually and through their aggregated effects.

We found that micro‐scale social factors can determine the efficiency of invasion control to the extent that higher level management strategies, such as early detection of the invasion, become irrelevant. Our experiments support a management strategy for New Zealand conifer invasion that is based on targeting both social and ecological factors. Combining establishment of shared rules for control participation that target socially conditioned behaviour with coordination of control action based on the aggressiveness of the invasion can amplify the efficiency of control at landscape level.

Our survey shows that New Zealand landowners are generally highly motivated to control the invasion, but they also adapt their control behaviour to that of others and are limited by the cost of control. The results indicate that integrating such adaptive landowner behaviour with ecological invasion dynamics can, over time, create feedbacks that decrease landowners’ ability to control the invasion.

This study demonstrates that failure to consider how social and ecological factors interact in invasion landscapes can lead to suboptimal control programs and irreversible environmental change. A social‐ecological perspective on biological invasions will significantly improve our ability to explain and manage invasion dynamics.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
A sustainable model for pediatric oncology nursing education and capacity building in Latin American hospitals: Evolution and impact of a nurse educator network
Authors: Sullivan Courtney E. , Segovia Weber Lorena , Viveros Lamas Paola , Metzger Monika L. , Rodriguez‐Galindo Carlos , Day Sara W.
Published: May 2021

Through an “educate‐the‐educator” twinning model, pediatric oncology nurse educator roles and programs have been established at hospitals in Latin America since 2008. However, with increasing demand for nurse educator programs in the region, a twinning approach was no longer sustainable. Thus, a “nurse educator network” approach was established to scale adaptable, standardized multisite education and quality initiatives. The development, expansion, and impact of a sustainable network approach for pediatric oncology nursing capacity building in Latin America is described. The educator network approach serves as a potential model for other geographical regions. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) impact and adaptations are addressed.
Metal‐free catalytic activation and borylation of the ––H bond of 1‐methyl pyrrole using adamantane‐derived aminoborane frustrated Lewis pairs: A density functional theory study
Authors: Patel Tulsi R. , Ganguly Bishwajit
Published: May 2021

Frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) chemistry has developed as a novel strategy for catalysis in organic chemistry and opened a new metal‐free organic catalysis area for synthesizing various compounds of interest. Adamantane as molecular scaffolds used to design new sets of FLPs (ambiphilic molecules) for the –
–H activation and subsequent borylation of 1‐methyl pyrrole employing DFT (wB97XD/6‐31 + G (d,p)) level of theory. The saturated hydrocarbon showed improvement in the energetics of –
–H activation and subsequent borylation of 1‐methyl pyrrole compared with the unsaturated phenylene FLPs employed for such reactions. The Lewis acid and Lewis base characters are augmented with adamantyl‐derived FLPs, and the monomers responsible for the catalytic activity are also energetically more stable compared with their corresponding dimers. The H2 extrusion and the electrophilic borylation steps are energetically comparable on the Gibbs free energy surface in cases of 1‐NMe2‐2‐BH2‐C6H4 (I) and 1‐Pip‐2‐BH2‐C6H4 (II). The relative free energy barriers of activations of such steps have been significantly lowered with adamantyl scaffold FLPs by ~5.5 and ~3.7 kcal/mol for 1‐NMe2‐2‐BH2‐4‐F‐C10H13 (B) and ~5.6 and ~4.9 kcal/mol for 1‐Pip‐2‐BH2‐4‐F‐C10H13 (D), respectively. The enhanced reactivity of adamantyl FLPs has been rationalized with a molecular electrostatic potential (MESP) study. The nucleophilic and electrophilic characters of Lewis base and Lewis acid have been calculated using the conceptual density functional theory (CDFT) that support the results of the MESP study. The saturated scaffold FLPs can be promising candidates to improve the efficiency of catalysts in many reactions.
Longitudinal measurement of subcutaneous and intratibial human prostate cancer xenograft growth and response to ionizing radiation by plasma Alu and LINE‐1 ctDNA: A comparison to standard methods
Authors: Mishra Alok , Zennami Kenji , Velarde Esteban , Thorek Daniel L. J. , Yegnasubramanian Srinivasan , DeWeese Theodore L. , Lupold Shawn E.
Published: May 2021

Background

Current preclinical models of metastatic prostate cancer (PCa) require sophisticated technologies and/or genetically engineered cells for the noninvasive monitoring of tumors in remote sites, such as bone. Recent developments in circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) analysis provide an alternative method for noninvasive tumor monitoring at a low cost. Here, we sought to evaluate human Alu and LINE‐1 ctDNA for the longitudinal measurement of subcutaneous and intratibial human PCa xenograft growth and response to ionizing radiation (IR) through comparison with standard slide caliper and bioluminescence measurements.

Material and Methods

Intratibial and subcutaneous xenografts were established in male athymic nude mice using LNCaP cells that stably express firefly luciferase. A subset of tumors was treated with a single dose of IR (CT‐guided focal IR, 6 Gy). Tumor measurements were simultaneously taken by slide caliper (subcutaneous only), in vivo bioluminescence imaging, and quantitative real‐time PCR (qPCR) of human‐specific Alu and LINE‐1 ctDNA for several weeks.

Results

Levels of ctDNA and bioluminescence increased concordantly with subcutaneous and intratibial tumor growth. A statistically significant correlation (Spearman) was observed between ctDNA and subcutaneous tumor volume (LINE‐1, r = .94 and Alu, r = .95, p < .0001), ctDNA and bioluminescence (LINE‐1, r = .66 and Alu, r = .60, p < .002), and bioluminescence and tumor volume (r = .66, p = .0003). Bioluminescence and ctDNA were also significantly correlated in intratibial tumors (LINE‐1, r = .82 and Alu, r = .81, p < .0001). Following external beam IR, the tumor responses varied briefly by method of measurement, but followed a similar trend. Statistically significant correlations were maintained between ctDNA and slide caliper measurement in irradiated subcutaneous tumors (LINE‐1, r = .64 and Alu, r = .44, p < .02), and ctDNA and bioluminescence in intratibial tumors (LINE‐1, r = .55, p = .018).

Conclusions

Real‐time qPCR of circulating human Alu and LINE‐1 DNA provides an accurate measurement of subcutaneous and intratibial xenograft burden that is comparable with conventional bioluminescence imaging and slide caliper measurement. Transient differences in measurements were observed following tumor‐targeted IR, but overall all measurements mirrored tumor growth and response.
Overview and future research needs for development of effective biocontrol strategies for management of Bactrocera dorsalis Hendel (Diptera: Tephritidae) in sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Heve William K , Adjadeh Thomas A , Billah Maxwell K
Published: May 2021

Infestation of fruits by native and invasive fruit flies causes significant economic losses. In most cases, incidence of ‘regulated’ dangerous fruit flies in orchards results in restrictions on export of fruits from such places to international markets. Unfortunately, use of insecticides applied on foliage and fruits does not kill the fruit‐to‐soil stages of fruit flies. However, diverse biological control agents (BCAs) do so. Thus, prevalence of native and invasive fruit flies in orchards will require that a combination of BCAs is included in integrated pest management (IPM) programmes. In the case of Bactrocera dorsalis Hendel and other economically important fruit flies found in sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA), use of classical biocontrol approach involves concomitant releases of two exotic parasitoids (Fopius arisanus Sonan and Diachasmimorpha longicaudata Ashmead). These non‐native wasps may have complemented the indigenous parasitoids in combination with application of entomopathogenic fungi (EPFs) and conservation of predatory ants (Oecophylla longinoda Latreille, with O. smaragdina) in fruit fly IPM plans. Consequently, some levels of decline in fruit infestation have been observed. Although interspecific interactions between BCAs against several insect pests have produced varying results, including threatening the survival of other BCAs, the prevalence of B. dorsalis in orchards across SSA requires further research to investigate effects of coalescing biocontrol approaches in IPM strategies. Therefore, future research into combining parasitoids, EPFs and entomopathogenic nematodes, in addition to conservation of predatory ants (O. longinoda, O. smaragdina and others) in IPM plans may improve the effectiveness of currently used strategies for the management of fruit‐infesting tephritids. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
New trends in the development of multifunctional peptides to functionalize biomaterials
Authors: Oliver‐Cervelló Lluís , Martin‐Gómez Helena , Mas‐Moruno Carlos
Published: May 2021

Improving cell‐material interactions is a major goal in tissue engineering. In this regard, functionalization of biomaterials with cell instructive molecules from the extracellular matrix stands out as a powerful strategy to enhance their bioactivity and achieve optimal tissue integration. However, current functionalization strategies, like the use of native full‐length proteins, are associated with drawbacks, thus urging the need of developing new methodologies. In this regard, the use of synthetic peptides encompassing specific bioactive regions of proteins represents a promising alternative. In particular, the combination of peptide sequences with complementary or synergistic effects makes it possible to address more than one biological target at the biomaterial surface. In this review, an overview of the main strategies using peptides to install multifunctionality on biomaterials is presented, mostly focusing on the combination of the RGD motif with other peptides sequences. The evolution of these approaches, starting from simple methods, like using peptide mixtures, to more advanced systems of peptide presentation, with very well defined chemical properties, are explained. For each system of peptide's presentation, three main aspects of multifunctionality—improving receptor selectivity, mimicking the extracellular matrix and preventing bacterial colonization while improving cell adhesion—are highlighted.
The modified control charts for monitoring the shape parameter of weighted power function distribution under classical estimator
Authors: Jabeen Riffat , Zaka Azam
Published: May 2021

Zaka et al provided a new distribution called the Weighted Power function distribution (WPFD), which has application in reliability engineering and survival analysis. They used different estimation methods to estimate the unknown parameters of WPFD and proved that modified maximum likelihood estimator (MMLE) is best to consider for the estimation of parameters. We have constructed the memoryless and memory‐based control charts based on the assumption that the distribution of the underlying process does not follow the normal distribution. In this paper, we provide modified control charts using MMLE of the shape parameter for WPFD. We develop control charts to keep the process in control when the distribution of errors of underlying process follows WPFD. We propose the modified memoryless control chart, that is, Shewhart control chart and modified memory‐based control chart, that is, Exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) and Hybrid exponentially weighted moving average (HEWMA) control charts. We have made the comparison of the proposed control charts using Monte Carlo simulation and the real‐life application for both and the memoryless control charts and memory‐based control charts. We see that HEWMA based on MMLE performs better as compared to other proposed control charts.
Development of second primary small‐cell lung cancer within the irradiated field after chemoradiotherapy: a report of two cases
Authors: Seike Yuki , Kawagishi Yukio , Bando Akihito , Kimoto Ko , Hongo Masato , Takeda Shinichi
Published: May 2021

Two male smokers developed small‐cell lung cancer (SCLC) as the second primary malignancy (SPM) in the irradiated field after concurrent chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced cancer, which could also be considered as a radiation‐induced tumour. A 70‐year‐old man received cisplatin and S‐1 and irradiation at 60 Gy for lung adenocarcinoma eight years previously and an 81‐year‐old man cisplatin and 5‐fluorouracil and at irradiation 60 Gy for oesophageal cancer five years previously. They sequentially received chemotherapy for SCLC, the effects of which were limited, and a refractory course was noted. Chemoradiotherapy is an effective treatment strategy for locally advanced cancer but may be relevant to the onset of SCLC as SPM.
Observer‐based H∞ control of a stochastic Korteweg–de Vries–Burgers equation
Authors: Kang Wen , Wang Xiao‐Nan , Wu Kai‐Ning , Li Qing , Liu Zhijie
Published: May 2021

This article mainly deals with observer‐based H∞ control problem for a stochastic Korteweg–de Vries–Burgers equation under point or averaged measurements. Due to the nonlinearity of the stochastic partial differential equations, special emphases are given to computation complexity. By constructing an appropriate Lyapunov functional, we derive sufficient conditions in terms of linear matrix inequalities to guarantee the internal exponential stability and H∞ performance of the perturbed closed‐loop system by means of the Lyapunov approach. Consistent simulation results that support the proposed theoretical statements are provided. Finally, we have made important instructions for future research directions.
Controllability minimum principle based construction of the null controllable region for nonlinear systems
Authors: Mahmood Maaz , Homer Tyler , Mhaskar Prashant
Published: May 2021

The present manuscript addresses the problem of designing a procedure for constructing the null controllable Region (the set of states from where stabilization is achievable subject to constraints). To this end, a controllability minimum principle based computationally tractable approach for constructing the null controllable region is presented. Simulation results are used to illustrate the computation of the NCR for several examples.
Wavelet and power spectrum analysis of global navigation satellite system multipath error modeling and mitigation
Authors: Ansari Kutubuddin , Bae Tae‐Suk
Published: May 2021

This study investigates the multipath error modeling and mitigation for triple‐frequency global navigation satellite system (GNSS) signals inside South Korea. Multifrequency global positioning system (GPS), globalnaya navigatsionnaya sputnikovaya sistema (GLONASS), and Galileo data are collected in an environment where the receiver must track these three constellations in both low and high multipath scenarios. First, an advanced power spectrum analysis technique known as Welch method is performed using experimental data, and its benefits and drawbacks are described. In the second attempt, the spectrogram method is utilized to perform multipath feature time–frequency analysis. Although the abnormal frequency peak presented by the spectrogram is stable, the spectrogram does not support the precise recognition of the multipath error peak occurrence. Hence, in the third attempt, continuous wavelet transforms (CWT) are applied to highlight this type of peak resolution. The CWT function successfully indicated the maximum and minimum peak resolutions and exhibited a clear wavelet energy spread. In the final stage, experimental data are reconstructed by inverse CWT (ICWT), and comparative results in terms of root mean square before and after the ICWT are estimated. After implementing the inverse wavelet method in high and low multipath error of experimental data, overall average percentages of multipath mitigation reduction compared to actual multipath error are estimated to be 95.74% and 98.79%, respectively. This study demonstrates the high efficiency of the wavelet method as well as the effectiveness as a multipath error reduction approach. These improvements can be considered as significant in achieving high‐precision positioning accuracy.
Cellulose‐based hydrogels regulated by supramolecular chemistry
Authors: Hu Danning , Zeng Min , Sun Yafei , Yuan Jinying , Wei Yen
Published: May 2021

Supramolecular hydrogels based on cellulose attract increasing attention because of their novel structures and broad potential applications. In this review, hydrogels composed of cellulose are summarized according to category of supramolecular interactions in the networks including hydrogen bonds, electrostatic interactions, host‐guest interactions, and others. Supramolecular cellulose‐based hydrogels constructed by noncovalent bonding usually exhibit environmental friendliness, designing flexibility and diverse functions, and their properties are variable with incorporating different interactions in hydrogel networks. Moreover, with proper structures and networks, the supramolecular cellulose‐based hydrogels are adaptable in diverse fields of research and practical applications, such as self‐healing, shape memory, drug delivery, and some other renewable/sustainable materials. The future developments and challenges of the supramolecular hydrogels based on cellulose are discussed as well.
Neuroprotective effect of targeted regulatory Nrf2 gene on rats with acute brain injury induced by carbon monoxide poisoning
Authors: Zhou Xu‐Dong , Wang Jing‐Lin , Guo Da‐Dong , Jiang Wen‐Wen , Li Ze‐Kun , Wang Li , Zou Yong , Bi Ming‐Jun , Li Qin
Published: May 2021

Oxidative stress has been considered as an important cause of neurocyte damage induced by carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning; however, the precise mechanisms are not fully understood. The study aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanism and the neuroprotective effect of targeted regulatory nuclear factor erythroid2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2) gene on acute brain injury in CO poisoning rats. An acute CO poisoning rat model was established by CO inhalation in hyperbaric oxygen chamber and followed by the administration of Nrf2 gene‐loaded lentivirus. Mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨM), the levels of Nrf2, glutamate‐cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px), and cell apoptosis were determined in brain tissue in rats. We found that CO poisoning could decrease ΔΨm of cells, slightly increase the expressions of Nrf2 and GCLC at mRNA and protein levels, reduce CAT and GSH‐Px, and thus initiate apoptosis process. The Nrf2 gene treatment could obviously enhance the expressions of Nrf2 at mRNA and protein levels, and increase the concentrations of CAT and GSH‐Px, maintain the ΔΨm of cells in brain tissue, significantly inhibit cell apoptosis as compared with the CO poisoning group (p < .05). These findings suggest that CO poisoning could induce oxidative stress and impair mitochondrial function of cells in brain tissue. The administration of Nrf2 gene could notably strengthen the antioxidant capacity of cells through regulating the downstream genes of Nrf2/antioxidant responsive element signal pathway, and positively protect cells against brain injury induced by acute severe CO poisoning.
Study of adsorption of copper, lead, and zinc in their various chemical forms from the sediments of the Brahmaputra river, Assam, India
Authors: Das Hitesh , Deka Jahnabi , Singh Anmol , Barman Pranjit
Published: May 2021

The natural organic matter and the iron and manganese oxides are potential adsorbing agents of heavy metals in sediments and create a sink for them to control their bioavailability and mobility in the aquatic environment. The salinity and pH of the surrounding water highly affect the fixation of heavy metals on the river sediments. The adsorption of copper, lead, and zinc ions in the Brahmaputra river sediment is analyzed by batch techniques. The parameters controlling these metal ions adsorption are solution pH, contact time, adsorbent amount, and adsorbate concentration. The equilibrium adsorption capacities of the sediment particles of the various sizes (< 53, 53–73, and 74–149 μm) are measured for copper, lead, and zinc ions and extrapolated using linear Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms. The results provide strong evidence to support the hypothesis of adsorption mechanism. It is found that the extent of adsorption is increasing with decreasing particle size, and this may be attributed to the enhancement of the surface area available for adsorption to occur. The sediment is studied for metal speciation, for nine heavy metals, to explain their behavior in the five sequential extraction steps. This is an interesting study as zinc is present in the air, soil, water, and almost all food items, and industries naturally release zinc into the environment.
Alzheimer's disease drug development pipeline: 2021
Authors: Cummings Jeffrey , Lee Garam , Zhong Kate , Fonseca Jorge , Taghva Kazem
Published: May 2021

Introduction

The number of individuals worldwide with Alzheimer's disease (AD) is growing at a rapid rate. New treatments are urgently needed. We review the current pipeline of drugs in clinical trials for the treatment of AD.

Methods

We interrogated ClinicalTrials.gov, the federal registry of clinical trials to identify drugs in trials.

Results

There are 126 agents in 152 trials assessing new therapies for AD: 28 treatments in Phase 3 trials, 74 in Phase 2, and 24 in Phase 1. The majority of drugs in trials (82.5%) target the underlying biology of AD with the intent of disease modification; 10.3% are putative cognitive enhancing agents; and 7.1% are drugs being developed to reduce neuropsychiatric symptoms.

Discussion

This pipeline analysis shows that target biological processes are more diversified, biomarkers are more regularly used, and repurposed agents are being explored to determine their utility for the treatment of AD.
Lipids and lipid‐modifying therapy
Authors: Kirby Mike
Published: May 2021

Dyslipidaemia plays a key role in the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Therefore, the identification and treatment of dyslipidaemia is important for both primary and secondary CVD prevention, and forms the basis of this article.
A serosurvey for bovine respirovirus 3 in Turkish domestic ruminants: The first comparison study of A and C genotypes
Authors: Muftuoglu Bahadir , Kurucay Hanne Nur , Elhag Ahmed Eisa , Yildirim Serdar , Cicek‐Yildiz Yasemin , Tamer Cuneyt , Ozan Emre , Sahna Kezban Can , Yildirim Yakup , Albayrak Harun , Okur‐Gumusova Semra , Yazici Zafer
Published: May 2021

Bovine parainfluenza virus‐3 (BPIV‐3), also known as bovine respirovirus 3, causes serious respiratory infection in ungulates, often involving other pathogens, such as viruses, bacteria and mycoplasmas. In this study, we evaluated antibody titers against virus genotypes A (BPIV‐3a) and C (BPIV‐3c). We conducted a serological survey and comparison analysis of archived serum samples from small and large ruminants reared in four Turkish provinces. A total of 1,307 samples, consisting of sheep (n = 444), cattle (n = 402), water buffalo (n = 261) and goat (n = 200) sera, were randomly selected from stock samples collected between 2015 and 2019 and screened by standard virus neutralisation assay. We found that 49.9% (653/1307) of all samples were positive for neutralising antibody titers. Goats had the highest titer, with total seropositivity of 63% (126/200), followed in descending order by cattle, sheep and water buffalo at 56.2% (226/402), 32.2% (143/444) and 26% (68/261) total seropositivity, respectively. BPIV‐3c had the highest neutralising antibody rate at 34.3% (448/1307), whereas BPIV‐3a had a 24.3% (317/1307) seropositivity rate. Neutralising antibody titers for positive samples ranged between 1/4 and 1/512 per the SN50 test. Seropositivity rates ranged from a low of 8.9% to a high of 18.3%. Our study was the first to compare antibody seroprevalence for two BPIV‐3 genotypes in small and large domestic ruminants, which were shown to be more commonly exposed to BPIV‐3c than BPIV‐3a. This finding could have significant implications as current vaccines mainly use the BPIV‐3a genotype. Further research can determine if current vaccines protect against different BPIV‐3 virus genotypes.
Chiral torsional effects in anomalous fluids in thermal equilibrium
Authors: Mañes Juan L. , Valle Manuel , Vázquez-Mozo Miguel Á.
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Using the similarity between spacetime torsion and axial gauge couplings, we study torsional contributions to the equilibrium partition function in a stationary background. In the case of a charged fluid minimally coupled to torsion, we spot the existence of linear torsional magnetic and vortical effects, while the axial-vector current and the spin energy potential do not receive corrections in the torsion at linear order. The covariant energy-momentum tensor, on the other hand, does contain terms linear in the torsion tensor. The case of a two-flavor hadronic superfluid is also analyzed, and the torsional contributions to the constitutive relations computed. Our results show the existence of a torsional electric chiral effect mediated by the charged pions.
Mechanical stress influences the morphology and function of human uterosacral ligament fibroblasts and activates the p38 MAPK pathway
Authors: Zhu Yapei , Li Lei , Xie Ting , Guo Tao , Zhu Lan , Sun Zhijing
Published: May 2021

Introduction and hypothesis

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a common condition in older women that affects quality of life. Mechanical injury of the pelvic floor support system contributes to POP development. In our study, we aimed to examine the mechanical damage to human uterosacral ligament fibroblasts (hUSLFs) to preliminarily explore the mechanism of mechanical transduction in POP.

Methods

hUSLFs were derived from POP and non-POP patients. Mechanical stress was induced by the FX-5000 T-cell stress loading system. Student’s t-test was used for comparisons between different groups.

Results

We found that hUSLFs from POP patients were larger and longer than those from non-POP patients and exhibited cytoskeleton F-actin rearrangement. Collagen I and III expression levels were lower and matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP1) levels were higher in POP patients than in non-POP patients. Additionally, the apoptosis rate was significantly increased in POP patients compared to non-POP patients. After mechanical stretching, hUSLFs underwent a POP-like transformation. Cells became longer, and the cytoskeleton became thicker and rearranged. The extracellular matrix (ECM) was remodelled because of the upregulation of collagen I and III expression and downregulation of MMP1 expression. Mechanical stress also induced hUSLF apoptosis. Notably, we found that the p38 MAPK pathway was activated by mechanical stretching.

Conclusions

Mechanical stress induced morphological changes in ligament fibroblasts, leading to cytoskeleton and ECM remodelling and cell apoptosis. p38 MAPK might be involved in this process, providing novel insights into the mechanical biology of and possible therapies for this disease.
Red Blood Cell Distribution Width as a Predictive Marker for Coronary Artery Lesions in Patients with Kawasaki Disease
Authors: Ming Li , Cao Hui-ling , Li Qiushu , Yu Gengsheng
Published: May 2021

This study aimed to investigate the association between red blood cell distribution width (RDW) and the risk of coronary artery lesions (CALs) in patients with Kawasaki disease (KD). A total of 1355 patients who met the diagnostic criteria for KD were reviewed between January 2018 and December 2019, including 636 patients with CALs and 719 patients without CALs. Blood samples for RDW were obtained at admission (before intravenous immunoglobulin treatment). A logistic regression analysis was performed, and a receiver operating characteristic curve was constructed to determine the prognostic value of RDW standard deviation (RDW-SD) and RDW coefficient of variation (RDW-CV). The study was registered at www.chictr.org.cn, No.: ChiCTR 2000040980. The results showed that RDW-SD increased in patients with complete KD and CALs compared with patients with complete KD without CALs (39 fL vs. 38 fL, respectively; p = 0.000). RDW-CV in patients with complete KD and CALs was significantly higher compared with patients with completed KD without CALs (p = 0.000). Further multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that RDW-SD was an independent marker of CALs in patients with complete KD (p = 0.001), but no association was found between RDW-CV and CALs. The area under the curve of RDW-SD for predicting CALs in patients with complete KD was 0.606 (95% confidence interval 0.572–0.640; p = 0.000) with a sensitivity and specificity of 61% and 55%, respectively, when the optimal cut-off value of RDW-SD was 38.5 fL. RDW-CV increased in patients with incomplete KD and CALs compared with patients without CALs (13.55% vs 13.3%, respectively; p = 0.004), and multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that RDW-CV was an independent marker of CALs in patients with incomplete KD (p = 0.021). The area under the curve of RDW-CV for predicting CALs in patients with incomplete KD was 0.597 (95% confidence interval 0.532–0.661; p = 0.004) with a sensitivity and specificity of 40% and 77%, respectively, when the optimal cut-off value of RDW-SD was 13.85%. Conclusion: RDW can be used as an independent predictive marker of CALs in patients with KD, but the type of KD should be considered. RDW-SD was an independent marker of CALs in patients with complete KD, while RDW-CV was a predictor of incomplete KD.
Posterior vault distraction technique: how I do it
Authors: Salokorpi Niina , Satanin Leonid , Teterin Ivan , Sinikumpu Juha-Jaakko , Serlo Willy
Published: May 2021

Posterior cranial vault distraction is an effective technique when a significant increase in the intracranial volume is required in patients with craniosynostoses. This technique has been proven to be safe and time saving and usually is associated with low perioperative morbidity as well as low intraoperative bleeding. Herein a technique is presented starting from the preoperative planning, describing the surgical steps of the operation and the postoperative distraction protocol used by the authors. The authors present important tips and tricks aiming to minimise complications and undesired events.
Villoglandular adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Dietl Anna K. , Beckmann Matthias W. , Aumann Konrad
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Villoglandular adenocarcinoma (VGA) of the uterine cervix has been classified as a rare subtype of cervical adenocarcinoma with good prognosis. A conservative surgical approach is considered feasible. The main risk factor is the presence of other histologic types of cancer.

In this largest systematic review to date, we assess oncological outcomes associated with conservative therapy compared to those associated with invasive management in the treatment of stage Ia and Ib1 VGA.

Methods

Case series and case reports identified by searching the PubMed database were eligible for inclusion in this review (stage Ia–Ib1).

Results

A total of 271 patients were included in our literature review. 54 (20%) patients were treated by “conservative management” (conization, simple hysterectomy, and trachelectomy) and 217 (80%) by “invasive management” (radical hysterectomy ± radiation, hysterectomy, and radiation). Recurrences of disease (RODs) were found in the conservative group in two (4%) cases and in the invasive group in nine (4%) cases. There was no significant difference in disease-free survival (DFS) according to conservative or invasive treatment (p = 0.75). The histology of VGA may be complex with underlying usual adenocarcinoma (UAC) combined with VGA.

Conclusion

The excellent prognosis of pure VGA and the young age of the patients may justify the management of this tumor using a less radical procedure. The histological diagnosis of VGA is a challenge, and pretreatment should not be based solely on a simple punch biopsy but rather a conization with wide tumor-free margins.
Correction to: How relevant are social costs in economic evaluations? The case of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Peña-Longobardo L. M. , Rodríguez-Sánchez B. , Oliva-Moreno J. , Aranda-Reneo I. , López-Bastida J.
Published: May 2021

A correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10198-021-01323-y
On the automation-supported derivation of domain-specific UML profiles considering static semantics
Authors: Kraas Alexander
Published: May 2021

In the light of standardization, the model-driven engineering (MDE) is becoming increasingly important for the development of DSLs, in addition to traditional approaches based on grammar formalisms. Metamodels define the abstract syntax and static semantics of a DSL and can be created by using the language concepts of the Meta Object Facility (MOF) or by defining a UML profile.

Both metamodels and UML profiles are often provided for standardized DSLs, and the mappings of metamodels to UML profiles are usually specified informally in natural language, which also applies for the static semantics of metamodels and/or UML profiles, which has the disadvantage that ambiguities can occur, and that the static semantics must be manually translated into a machine-processable language.

To address these weaknesses, we propose a new automated approach for deriving a UML profile from the metamodel of a DSL. One novelty is that subsetting or redefining metaclass attributes are mapped to stereotype attributes whose values are computed at runtime via automatically created OCL expressions. The automatic transfer of the static semantics of a DSL to a UML profile is a further contribution of our approach. Our DSL Metamodeling and Derivation Toolchain (DSL-MeDeTo) implements all aspects of our proposed approach in Eclipse. This enabled us to successfully apply our approach to the two DSLs Test Description Language (TDL) and Specification and Description Language (SDL).
DMAEMA-grafted cellulose as an imprinted adsorbent for the selective adsorption of 4-nitrophenol
Authors: Lang Daning , Shi Ming , Xu Xia , He Shixue , Yang Chao , Wang Lu , Wu Ronglan , Wang Wei , Wang Jide
Published: May 2021

4-Nitrophenol is a highly toxic environmental pollutant. It is a challenge to selectively remove it from a mixture of various pollutants. Herein, we report a study on the selective adsorption of 4-nitrophenol by using molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs). The imprinted polymer was synthesized using cellulose as a framework, onto which, the complex of the imprinting molecule (i.e., 4-nitrophenol) and a candidate material [namely, 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate. DMAEMA] was grafted. The obtained MIP showed an excellent adsorption capacity with good selectivity. Also, the adsorption of 4-nitrophenol by the obtained MIP was fast and the adsorbent exhibited good recyclability. The thermodynamics and kinetics of the adsorption process of 4-nitrophenol by MIP was thoroughly studied, where an otherwise-equivalent non-imprinted polymer was used as a control in the experiments. The selectivity of the MIP adsorbent for 4-niteophenol was evaluated by two types of experiments: (1) adsorption experiments in single-component adsorbate systems (containing 4-nitrophenol, 3-nitrophenol, catechol, or hydroquinone), and (2) competitive adsorption experiments in binary adsorbate systems (containing 4-nitrophenol plus either 3-nitrophenol, catechol or hydroquinone). The selectivity coefficient for 4-nitrophenols was twice of those of other phenols (that were all around 2), indicative of the extent of the affinity of MIPs to these phenolic compounds. The recyclability of the adsorbent was evaluated for 5 adsorption–desorption cycles, where the adsorption capacity of the last cycle remained over 90.2% of that of the first cycle.

Graphic Abstract
Fusing strategic risk and futures methods to inform long-term strategic planning: case of water utilities
Authors: Luís Ana , Garnett Kenisha , Pollard Simon J. T. , Lickorish Fiona , Jude Simon , Leinster Paul
Published: May 2021

Risks and futures methods have complementary strengths as tools for managing strategic decisions under uncertainty. When combined, these tools increase organisational competency to evaluate and manage long-term risks, improving the flexibility and agility of the organisation to deal with gross uncertainties. Here, we set out a framework to guide the assessment of strategic risks for long-term business planning, based on its application at Portugal’s largest water utility, Empresa Portuguesa das Águas Livres. Our approach extends strategic risk assessment by incorporating scenario planning—a futures approach used to help the utility move beyond single point forecast of risks to focus on critical dimensions of uncertainty that are fundamental to the resilience of corporate objectives and their vulnerability to external pressures. We demonstrate how we combine two complementary approaches—risk and futures—and use them to assess (i) how a set of baseline strategic risks for a water utility evolves under alternative futures, (ii) the aggregate corporate-level risk exposure, and (iii) the process and responses needed to manage multiple, interdependent strategic risks. The framework offers a corporate approach to evolving strategic risks and improves a utility’s (i) knowledge of uncertainties, (ii) ability to assess the impacts of external developments over long time horizons and the consequences of actions and (iii) degree of flexibility to adapt to possible future challenges. The framework supports risk managers in their long-term strategic planning, through the appraisal and management of multiple, interdependent long-term strategic risks and can be replicated in other organisational contexts to bridge operational and corporate perspectives of enterprise risk.