bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimization of Mycological Media Using Agro Waste for the Production of Antimicrobial Substance
Authors: Okpalauwaekwe Evangeline Ogonna , Umedum Chinelo Ursula , Iheukwumere Ikechukwu Harmony , Akakuru Leona Chisara
Published: October 2020

Aim: This present study was conducted to optimize mycological media using agro waste for the production of antimicrobial substance.

Place and Duration of Study: Agro waste (sugarcane and sweet potato, sugarcane and jack fruit) collected within Anambra state between February- August 2019.

Methodology: Sugarcane and sweet potato (AMSSP), sugarcane and jack fruit (AMSJ) were peeled and the peels were air-dried and then ground into powdered form. 10 g each of the agro waste samples was weighed into 400 ml of distilled water in 1000 ml Erlenmeyer flask and allowed for 7 days, after which the mixture was filtered.

Then 200 ml of the filtrate was used.

The experimental conditions were optimized by using agro wastes (20/80 and 50/50 concentrations) as a culture medium, altering the temperature (30ºC and 37ºC), pH (5, 6, 7, 8, and 9), as well as the carbon and nitrogen source (glucose and NaNO3). The fungi used were Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fischeri, Aspergillus aculeatus and Aspergillus fumigatus.

Results:  Various agro wastes medium AMSSP and AMSJ were formulated as mycological media and the growth and nutritional conditions were optimized to ascertain antimicrobial substance production using some fungal isolates. Based on different concentrations Aspergillus fumigatus showed a promising zone of inhibition on AMSSP at a concentration of 20/80 while in AMSJ the concentration the 50/50 showed a maximum zone of inhibition on Aspergillus fumigatus ascertaining the presence of antimicrobial substance. AMSSP was able to produce maximum antimicrobial substance when supplemented with 1.0% glucose, 1.0% NaNO3 at pH 7 and at temperature of 30 ± 2ºC.

Conclusion: Agro wastes from AMSSP as well as from AMSJ contain nutrients that may support fungal growth. Maximum antimicrobial substance production is enhanced when supplemented with 1.0% of the carbon and nitrogen source at a pH of 7 and at a temperature of 30 ± 2ºC.
Comparison of Central Corneal Thickness Measurements between Angiovue Optical Coherence Tomography, Ultrasound Pachymetry and Ocular Biometry
Authors: Pateras E. , Kouroupaki A. I.
Published: October 2020

Purpose: To compare central corneal thickness (CCT) measurements and their reproducibility when taken by Ultrasound Pachymetry, Ocular Biometry and Angiovue Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT).

Methods: Twenty-five healthy volunteers were recruited creating a sample size of 50 eyes. All subjects had pachymetric measurements by Ultrasound pachymetry (PachPen Handheld Pachymeter, Keeler Instruments Inc), Ocular biometry (IOL Master 700 Swept Source Biometry, Zeiss) and Angiovue Optical Coherence Tomography (Optovue Avanti RTVue XR Angiovue). The measurements of central corneal thickness for the three devices were taken by the same examiner twice for more accuracy.

Results: The average measurements of central corneal thickness by Ultrasound pachymetry (PachPen Handheld Pachymeter, Keeler Instruments Inc), Ocular biometry (IOL Master 700 Swept Source Biometry, Zeiss) and Angiovue Optical Coherence Tomography (Optovue Avanti RTVue XR Angiovue) were 547.26 μm, 551.36 μm, and 536.42 μm, respectively. The mean standard deviation (SD) of repeated measurements by Ocular biometry was 48.87 μm, which was greater than the mean SD of 44.24 μm and 40.35 μm (P < 0.001) by ultrasound pachymetry and Angiovue optical coherence tomography, respectively. There were statistically significant differences in the measurement results among the 3 methods (Ultrasound pachymetry vs. Ocular biometry P = 0.019; Ultrasound pachymetry vs. Angiovue Optical Coherence Tomography; P < 0.001; Ocular biometry vs. Angiovue Optical Coherence Tomography P < 0.001). There was a significant linear correlation between the Ultrasound pachymetry and Ocular biometry (r = 0.945, P<0.001), Ultrasound pachymetry and Angiovue Optical Coherence Tomography (r = 0.895, P<0.001), and Ocular biometry and Angiovue Optical Coherence Tomography (r = 0.902, P<0.001).

Conclusion: Central corneal thickness readings were comparable between PachPen Handheld Pachymeter, IOL Master 700 Biometry and Angiovue Optical Coherence Tomography; Angiovue optical coherence tomography gave significantly smaller values. The measurements of the 3 methods showed significant linear correlations with one another. All methods provided acceptable repeatability of measurements.
Apolipoprotein A‐I in mouse cerebrospinal fluid derives from the liver and intestine via plasma high‐density lipoproteins assembled by ABCA1 and LCAT
Authors: Tsujita Maki , Vaisman Boris , Chengyu Liu , Vickers Kasey C. , Okuhira Kei‐ichiro , Braesch‐Andersen Sten , Remaley Alan T.
Published: October 2020

Apolipoprotein (apo) A‐I, the major structural protein of high‐density lipoprotein (HDL), is present in human and mouse cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) despite its lack of expression in brain cells. To identify the origin of apoA‐I in CSF, we generated intestine‐specific and liver‐specific Apoa1 knockout mice (Apoa1ΔInt and Apoa1Δliv mice, respectively). Lipoprotein profiles of Apoa1ΔInt and Apoa1ΔLiv mice resembled those of control littermates, whereas knockout of Apoa1 in both intestine and liver (Apoa1ΔIntΔLiv) resulted in a 60‐percent decrease in HDL‐cholesterol levels, thus strongly mimicking the Apoa1−/− mice. Immunoassays revealed that mouse apoA‐I was not present in the CSF of the Apoa1ΔIntΔLiv mice. Furthermore, apoA‐I levels in CSF were highly correlated with plasma spherical HDL levels, which were regulated by ABCA1 and LCAT. Collectively, these results suggest that apoA‐I protein in CSF originates in liver and small intestine and is taken up from the plasma.
The presence of leukoaraiosis enhances the association between sTWEAK and hemorrhagic transformation
Authors: da Silva‐Candal Andrés , Pérez‐Mato María , Rodríguez‐Yáñez Manuel , López‐Dequidt Iria , Pumar José M. , Ávila‐Gómez Paulo , Sobrino Tomás , Campos Francisco , Castillo José , Hervella Pablo , Iglesias‐Rey Ramón
Published: October 2020

Objective

To investigate whether elevated serum levels of sTWEAK (soluble tumor necrosis factor‐like inducer of apoptosis) might be involved in a higher frequency of symptomatic hemorrhagic transformation (HT) through the presence of leukoaraiosis (LA) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (IS) undergoing reperfusion therapies.

Methods

This is a retrospective observational study. The primary endpoint was to study the sTWEAK‐LA‐HT relationship by comparing results with biomarkers associated to HT and evaluating functional outcome at 3‐months. Clinical factors, neuroimaging variables and biomarkers associated to inflammation, endothelial/atrial dysfunction or blood‐brain barrier damage were also investigated.

Results

We enrolled 875 patients (mean age 72.3 ± 12.2 years; 46.0% women); 710 individuals underwent intravenous thrombolysis, 87 endovascular therapy and 78 both. HT incidence was 32%; LA presence was 75.4%. Patients with poor functional outcome at 3‐months showed higher sTWEAK levels at admission (9844.2 [7460.4–12,542.0] vs. 2717.3 [1489.7–5852.3] pg/mL, P < 0.0001). By means of logistic regression models, PDGF‐CC and sTWEAK were associated with mechanisms linked simultaneously to HT and LA. Serum sTWEAK levels at admission ≥6700 pg/mL were associated with an odds ratio of 13 for poor outcome at 3‐months (OR: 13.6; CI 95%: 8.2–22.6, P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Higher sTWEAK levels are independently associated with HT and poor functional outcome in patients with IS undergoing reperfusion therapies through the presence of LA. sTWEAK could become a therapeutic target to reduce HT incidence in patients with IS.
Vocal music enhances memory and language recovery after stroke: pooled results from two RCTs
Authors: Sihvonen Aleksi J. , Leo Vera , Ripollés Pablo , Lehtovaara Terhi , Ylönen Aki , Rajanaro Pekka , Laitinen Sari , Forsblom Anita , Saunavaara Jani , Autti Taina , Laine Matti , Rodríguez‐Fornells Antoni , Tervaniemi Mari , Soinila Seppo , Särkämö Teppo
Published: October 2020

Objective

Previous studies suggest that daily music listening can aid stroke recovery, but little is known about the stimulus‐dependent and neural mechanisms driving this effect. Building on neuroimaging evidence that vocal music engages extensive and bilateral networks in the brain, we sought to determine if it would be more effective for enhancing cognitive and language recovery and neuroplasticity than instrumental music or speech after stroke.

Methods

Using data pooled from two single‐blind randomized controlled trials in stroke patients (N = 83), we compared the effects of daily listening to self‐selected vocal music, instrumental music, and audiobooks during the first 3 poststroke months. Outcome measures comprised neuropsychological tests of verbal memory (primary outcome), language, and attention and a mood questionnaire performed at acute, 3‐month, and 6‐month stages and structural and functional MRI at acute and 6‐month stages.

Results

Listening to vocal music enhanced verbal memory recovery more than instrumental music or audiobooks and language recovery more than audiobooks, especially in aphasic patients. Voxel‐based morphometry and resting‐state and task‐based fMRI results showed that vocal music listening selectively increased gray matter volume in left temporal areas and functional connectivity in the default mode network.

Interpretation

Vocal music listening is an effective and easily applicable tool to support cognitive recovery after stroke as well as to enhance early language recovery in aphasia. The rehabilitative effects of vocal music are driven by both structural and functional plasticity changes in temporoparietal networks crucial for emotional processing, language, and memory.
Improved ICA algorithm for ECG feature extraction and R‐peak detection
Authors: Jayasanthi M. , Ramamoorthy V. , Parthiban A.
Published: October 2020

Electrocardiogram (ECG) signal transmission and monitoring plays a paramount role in long‐term cardiac monitoring and analysis to provide remote health care in time, especially for the postoperative people and people in remote areas. The accuracy of ECG signals is of fundamental importance in cardiac diagnosis like R‐peak detection. So we need to incorporate analytical methods in existing healthcare systems, to capture more meaningful ECG components and to represent physical cardiac sources more clearly. With this aim, hardware optimized FCAICA (fast confluence adaptive independent component analysis) algorithm is proposed to extract pure ECG components from the ECG mixtures. The extracted signals are then subjected to R‐peak detection for further analysis. The proposed improved fast confluence adaptive independent component analysis (IFCAICA) method occupies less hardware resources, consumes low power, improves accuracy, and sensitivity in R‐peaks detection. In 0.18 nm technology, the IFCAICA consumes 10.13 mW of power and operates with 3.4 MHz operating frequency.
Institutional Solutions for the Economic Problem of Feral Hogs
Authors: ShalekBriski Abby , Brorsen B. Wade , Biermacher Jon T.
Published: October 2020

Feral hogs destroy crops, encroach upon green spaces, destroy habitat of endangered species, and can be aggressive towards humans. Despite individuals suffering losses from feral hogs, affected individuals often take little action despite control and eradication technologies existing. This study describes what is known about the economic problem associated with feral hogs and the institutional structure surrounding eradication efforts. We argue that institutions at both a national and local level are necessary to control feral hogs.
Effect of magnesium fertilizer combined with straw return on nitrogen use efficiency
Authors: Zhang Meiling , Geng Yuhui , Cao Guojun , Zou Xin , Qi Xinyuan , Stephano Mabagala Frank
Published: October 2020

Improving nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) has great significance for agriculture sustainable development and reducing environmental pollution. The effects of Mg fertilizer combined with straw return on yield, N uptake, and NUE of spring maize (Zea mays L.) were investigated for two consecutive years. The treatments included JM3 (straw + magnesium fertilizer), JM0 (straw + no magnesium fertilizer), WM3 (no straw + magnesium fertilizer), and WM0 (no magnesium fertilizer + no straw). The application of Mg fertilizer significantly improved yield. The application of straw and Mg fertilizer together improved yield even more significantly; the grain yield of the JM3 treatment was 5.28% higher than that of the WM0 treatments. The highest total N uptake was obtained from the JM3. Nitrogen remobilization from vegetation organs to grain was highest in the JM3 treatment. The agronomic efficiency of fertilizer nitrogen (AEN), recovery of applied fertilizer nitrogen (REN), partial factor productivity of fertilizer nitrogen (PFPN), and nitrogen harvest index (NHI) responded significantly to straw return and Mg fertilizer. The AEN, REN, PFPN, and NHI values for the JM3 treatment were 15.35, 24.63, 5.28, and 2.31% higher on average, respectively, than those for the WM0 treatments. Generally, these outcomes indicated that there was an interaction between Mg fertilizer and maize straw. The application of Mg fertilizer with straw return significantly improved the grain yield, N uptake, and NUE of maize plants. The combination of straw return and Mg application is a practical method for increasing maize production and supporting sustainable agriculture.
Experimental and numerical investigations of the shear behavior of binary particle blends
Authors: Yang Jiecheng , Bunchatheeravate Poom , Thakur Subhash C. , Bullard Joseph W. , Curtis Jennifer S.
Published: October 2020

In this study, a Schulze ring shear tester and the discrete element method (DEM) are employed to investigate the effect of polydispersity on the binary shear flows. Both experimental results and DEM simulations show that the preshear stresses are greater for binary blends than for monodispersed particles. The flowability of these mixtures is strongly affected by the solid fraction, with minimal flow function values correlating to maximum packing fraction. However, minimum flow function values are not observed at the same packing fractions where the maximum preshear stress occurs. Using DEM, it is demonstrated that the decrease of angular velocity of larger particles due to the addition of small adhesive particles reduces and the fraction of large‐small particle contact both make contributions to shear stress difference. A mechanism is proposed to quantify the effects of these two factors.
Consensus‐based approach for parameter and state estimation of agro‐hydrological systems
Authors: Yin Xunyuan , Bo Song , Liu Jinfeng , Huang Biao
Published: October 2020

The development of advanced closed‐loop irrigation systems requires accurate soil moisture information. In this work, we address the problem of soil moisture estimation for the agro‐hydrological systems in a robust and reliable manner. A nonlinear state‐space model is established based on the discretization of the Richards equation to describe the dynamics of the agro‐hydrological systems. We consider that model parameters are unknown and need to be estimated together with the states simultaneously. We propose a consensus‐based estimation mechanism, which comprises two main parts: (a) a distributed extended Kalman filtering algorithm used to estimate several model parameters; and (b) a distributed moving horizon estimation algorithm used to estimate the state variables and one remaining model parameter. Extensive simulations are conducted, and comparisons with existing methods are made to demonstrate the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed approach. In particular, the proposed approach can provide accurate soil moisture estimate even when poor initial guesses of the parameters and the states are used, which can be challenging to be handled using existing algorithms.
A Capacitor‐type Faradaic Junction for Direct Solar Energy Conversion and Storage
Authors: Wang Pin , Chen Xiangtian , Sun Gengzhi , Wang Cheng , Luo Jun , Yang Liuqing , Lv Jun , Yao Yingfang , Luo Wenjun , Zou Zhigang
Published: October 2020

Two‐electrode solar rechargeable devices trigger intense attention due to their potential applications in solar energy conversion and storage. However, interface energy barriers lead to severe loss of output voltage and negligible dark discharge current. Therefore, external biases are required for dark discharge in these devices, limiting their practical applications. Herein, we report a new two‐electrode device of Si/WO3/H2SO4(aq)/C that can work without bias. The device has the highest dark output power among all of the two‐electrode solar rechargeable devices. The device based on a Si/WO3 junction indicates photoinduced adjustable interface barrier height during charge transfer, which can overcome the energy barrier and realize dark discharge without bias. Owing to the interface characteristics, the Si/WO3 is designated as a capacitor‐type Faradaic junction.
Highly Thermostable and Efficient Formamidinium‐Based Low‐Dimensional Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Cheng Lei , Liu Zhou , Li Shunde , Zhai Yufeng , Wang Xiao , Qiao Zhi , Xu Qiaofei , Meng Ke , Zhu Zhiyuan , Chen Gang
Published: October 2020

Currently, most two‐dimensional (2D) metal halide perovskites are of the Ruddlesden–Popper type and contain the thermally unstable methylammonium (MA) molecules, which leads to inferior photovoltaic performance and mild stability. Here we report a new type of MA‐free formamidinium (FA) based low‐dimensional perovskites, featuring a general formula of (PDA)(FA)n−1PbnI3n+1 with propane‐1,3‐diammonium (PDA) as the organic spacer cation. The perovskite films with well‐oriented crystal grains are attained under the assistance of the FACl additive, where the role of Cl is investigated through the grazing‐incidence X‐ray diffraction technique. The photovoltaic device based on the optimized (PDA)(FA)3Pb4I13 film demonstrates a remarkable power conversion efficiency of 13.8 %, the highest record for the FA‐based 2D perovskite solar cells. In addition, compared to (PDA)(MA)3Pb4I13, the MA‐containing analogue and a renowned stable 2D perovskite, both the (PDA)(FA)3Pb4I13 films and their derived devices exhibit exceedingly higher thermal stability.
Radical Carbonyl Propargylation by Dual Catalysis
Authors: Huang Huan‐Ming , Bellotti Peter , Daniliuc Constantin G. , Glorius Frank
Published: October 2020

Carbonyl propargylation has been established as a valuable tool in the realm of carbon–carbon bond forming reactions. The 1,3‐enyne moiety has been recognized as an alternative pronucleophile in the above transformation through an ionic mechanism. Herein, we report for the first time, the radical carbonyl propargylation through dual chromium/photoredox catalysis. A library of valuable homopropargylic alcohols bearing all‐carbon quaternary centers could be obtained by a catalytic radical three‐component coupling of 1,3‐enynes, aldehydes and suitable radical precursors (41 examples). This redox‐neutral multi‐component reaction occurs under very mild conditions and shows high functional group tolerance. Remarkably, bench‐stable, non‐toxic, and inexpensive CrCl3could be employed as a chromium source. Preliminary mechanistic investigations suggest a radical‐polar crossover mechanism, which offers a complementary and novel approach towards the preparation of valuable synthetic architectures from simple chemicals.
Extended Benzene‐Fused Oligo‐BODIPYs: In Three Steps to a Series of Large, Arc‐Shaped, Near‐Infrared Dyes
Authors: Patra Atanu , Patalag Lukas J. , Jones Peter G. , Werz Daniel B.
Published: October 2020

We present a straightforward, three‐step synthesis engaging an oligomerization and subsequent one‐pot oxidation step to form fully conjugated, benzene‐fused oligo‐BODIPYs from simple BODIPY precursors. FeCl3 serves as an efficient, bifunctional oxidant for a (multiple) cyclization/desaturation process, applied to ethylene‐bridged dimeric, trimeric and oligomeric species to transform linking ethano units into stiff benzene fusions between unsubstituted β‐positions of each BODIPY unit. The structural integrity was verified by X‐ray crystallography, and all target compounds were studied in detail by photophysical, electrochemical and computational means. The main S1 excited state gradually converges to a structure‐specific excitation limit, displaying a strong shift of the absorption event from about 500 nm (BODIPY monomer) to 955 nm (octamer) with attenuation coefficients up to ca. 500 000 M−1 cm−1.
Spin‐Controlled Binding of Carbon Dioxide by an Iron Center: Insights from Ultrafast Mid‐Infrared Spectroscopy
Authors: Straub Steffen , Vöhringer Peter
Published: October 2020

The influence of the spin on the mode of binding between carbon dioxide (CO2) and a transition‐metal (TM) center is an entirely open question. Herein, we use an iron(III) oxalato complex with nearly vanishing doublet–sextet gap, and its ultrafast photolysis, to generate TM‐CO2 bonding patterns and determine their structure in situ by femtosecond mid‐infrared spectroscopy. The formation of the nascent TM‐CO2 species according to [L4FeIII(C2O4)]+ + hν → [L4Fe(CO2)]+ + CO2, with L4=cyclam, is evidenced by the coincident appearance of the characteristic asymmetric stretching absorption of the CO2‐ligand between 1600 cm−1 and 1800 cm−1 and that of the free CO2‐co‐fragment near 2337 cm−1. On the high‐spin surface (S=5/2), the product complex features a bent carbon dioxide radical anion ligand that is O‐“end‐on”‐bound to the metal. In contrast, on the intermediate‐spin and low‐spin surfaces, the product exhibits a “side‐on”‐bound, bent carbon dioxide ligand that has either a partial open‐shell (for S=3/2) or fully closed‐shell character (for S=1/2).
Morphology and histology of the male reproductive tract of Caecilia thompsoni (amphibia: Gymnophiona)
Authors: Serrano‐Perez Carlos A. , Ramírez‐Pinilla Martha Patricia
Published: October 2020

We studied the male reproductive tract of individuals of different body sizes of Caecilia thompsoni to describe morphological characteristics in comparison to other Gymnophiona. The reproductive tract consists of paired testes segmented into chains of primary and secondary lobes, sperm ducts that empty to Wolffian ducts, the cloaca that receives the Wolffian ducts and possesses a phallodeum. Müllerian ducts are present and develop into paired glands that empty into the cloacal urodeum. Testicular secondary lobes contain lobules with cysts of the entire germinal cell line, whereas primary lobes, in the terminal ends of the chains, only have spermagonia, Sertoli cells, and connective tissue. The smallest individual examined (21 cm body length) was immature and only possessed a few testicular primary lobes. Once the individuals reach sexual maturity, the morphological characteristics are quite consistent at macroscopic and histological level among males of very different body sizes. The histological features of the Wolffian and Müllerian glands suggest a complementary secretory role between the two ducts. In the cloaca we found the propulsor muscle, venous sinuses, and blind sacs in the phallodeum, which differentiate C. thompsoni from other species of the genus. Despite these slight differences, the general morphological characteristics, both macroscopic and microscopic, of the reproductive tracts of adult males of C. thompsoni follow the pattern known for the reproductively active males of Gymnophiona.
On validation of neural modified extended state observer through analysis and experimentation
Authors: Yu Wenzhao , Xu Haixiang , Hu Yong
Published: October 2020

In this paper, a neural modified extended state observer (ESO) (NMESO) based on the compound neural orthogonal network (CONN) is proposed to improve the online estimation of the system uncertainties and the exogenous disturbances in the uncertain system. In the developed scheme, CONN is designed as the main estimator to identify the total disturbances and facilitate the estimation of the conventional ESO. The convergence of NMESO is proved in time domain and the estimation errors are shown to be bounded. Due to the orthogonality of hidden nodes and the iterative updating mechanism of CONN, the estimation accuracy, rapidity, and real‐time performance of NMESO have been greatly enhanced. Furthermore, the cooperative mechanism of the CONN estimator and the conventional ESO in the developed NMESO is also studied. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed method and the results of analysis are verified through comparative simulation experimentation. This paper depicts a promising prospect of the NMESO in application of practical engineering.
Forecasting ethanol price volatility under structural breaks
Authors: Bouri Elie , Dutta Anupam , Saeed Tareq
Published: October 2020

The use of ethanol as a vehicle fuel has reduced greenhouse gas emissions significantly. The introduction of ethanol has also led to a decrease in crude oil prices. Considering the economic and environmental significance of the biofuel markets, a strand of literature investigates the price and volatility dynamics of US ethanol prices. In this paper, in contrast to previous studies, we investigate whether information on structural breaks plays an important role in predicting US ethanol market volatility. Our findings reveal that generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (GARCH) models incorporating these breaks improve the prediction of US ethanol market volatility. Furthermore, the persistence of volatility tends to decline when structural breaks are included in the GARCH models. We further note that the influence of good and bad news is properly assessed under such breaks. Our results suggest that ignoring such breaks could mislead the risk assessment procedure for the US biofuel industry. © 2020 Society of Industrial Chemistry and John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Application of Spiky Nickel Nanoparticles to Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Abbas Syed Asad , Ma Ahyeon , Seo Dongho , Lim Yun Ji , Jung Kwang‐Deog , Nam Ki Min
Published: October 2020

The development of an efficient water splitting catalyst is a requirement for sustainable hydrogen production. Ni catalysts with different shapes were prepared using a solvothermal method for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The growth of the Ni particles was manipulated by controlling the reaction temperature and surfactant during the solvothermal reaction. The HER activity of the herein obtained Ni catalysts, namely semi‐spherical, dendritic, and spiky nanoparticles were evaluated in alkaline conditions. Spiky Ni nanoparticles exhibited superior HER catalytic activity compared to that of spherical and dendritic Ni nanoparticles. The effect of morphology and electrochemical active sites has been fully investigated.
The changed functional status of the brain was involved in patients with poststroke aphasia: Coordinate‐based (activation likelihood estimation) meta‐analysis
Authors: Du Ying , Lee Yujun , He Chuan , Peng Lihan , Yong Qian , Cen Zhiyi , Chen Yuqin , Liu Xin , Wang Xiaoming
Published: October 2020

Background and Purpose

Although many functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies have investigated the language architecture and neurobiological mechanism underlying poststroke aphasia (PSA), the pathophysiological mechanisms of PSA still remain poorly understood. In addition to a limited number of subjects (<20) tested with different methodologies and stimuli, inconsistent reports of the brain regions involved have been a major factor. Thus, we conducted a meta‐analysis of 12 peer‐reviewed studies of abnormal brain activation regions in PSA patients at rest using activation likelihood estimation (ALE).

Results

A meta‐analysis was performed based on 24 experiments with 497 total participants in 12 studies to establish the ALE of regional activation in PSA. Through experiments with PSA patients and healthy controls, we found that hypoactivation in PSA converged on the left superior frontal gyrus and the left parietal postcentral gyrus, whereas there was hyperactivation in the right cerebellar anterior lobe, left fusiform gyrus, left superior parietal lobule, and right subgyral hippocampus.

Conclusion

Our study verified that dominant and nondominant language networks play roles in the recovery of language function.
Optimal duration of prior endocrine therapy predicts the efficacy of Fulvestrant in a real‐world study for patients with hormone receptor‐positive and HER2‐negative advanced breast cancer
Authors: Zhao Yannan , Li Yi , Gong Chengcheng , Xie Yizhao , Zhang Jian , Wang Leiping , Cao Jun , Tao Zhonghua , Wang Biyun , Hu Xichun
Published: October 2020

Fulvestrant 500 mg is standard of care for endocrine therapy‐naive or pretreated women with hormone receptor‐positive (HR+) metastatic breast cancer (MBC). This study was conducted to explore the potential factors and duration of last endocrine therapy as predictors for the efficacy of fulvestrant 500 mg on Chinese patients in real‐world practice. Two hundred and fifty‐two MBC patients who were treated with fulvestrant 500 mg consecutively between January 2011 and December 2015 in our institute were included in this study. Efficacy outcomes included progression‐free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and clinical benefit rate (CBR). The optimal cut‐off value for duration of last endocrine therapy was determined by survival ROC analysis. Adverse events were graded according to NCI‐CTC AE 4.0. Fulvestrant 500 mg demonstrated a median PFS of 5.8 months (95%CI 4.6‐6.9), and a median OS of 35.9 months (95%CI 30.2‐41.4). CBR was 41.3% (95%CI 35‐47). Liver metastasis, bone alone metastasis, lines of endocrine therapy for MBC, and sensitivity to last endocrine therapy were statistically significant in the Cox multivariate analysis (P values of 0.022, 0.02, 0.03, and 0.038, respectively). The optimal cut‐off values for duration of last endocrine therapy to predict the efficacy of fulvestrant 500 mg were 25.08 months for adjuvant endocrine therapy and 5.17 months for first‐line endocrine therapy, which showed no difference in prediction power with ABC clinical definition. Patients with prior adjuvant endocrine therapy ≥25.08 months or first‐line therapy≥5.17 months reached a longer PFS of fulvestrant (p = 0.04). Six patients discontinued the treatment due to intolerable adverse events. Patients with the duration of prior endocrine therapy longer than optimal cut‐off points indicate better PFS of fulvestrant. Liver metastasis, bone alone metastasis, line of fulvestrant, and sensitivity to last endocrine therapy were also predictors for response of fulvestrant.

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03708432.
The clinical and financial cost of mental disorders among elderly patients with gastrointestinal malignancies
Authors: Harris Jeremy P. , Kashyap Mehr , Humphreys Jessica N. , Pollom Erqi L. , Chang Daniel T.
Published: October 2020

The clinical and financial effects of mental disorders are largely unknown among gastrointestinal (GI) cancer patients. Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)‐Medicare linked database, we identified patients whose first cancer was a primary colorectal, pancreatic, gastric, hepatic/biliary, esophageal, or anal cancer as well as those with coexisting depression, anxiety, psychotic, or bipolar disorder. Survival, chemotherapy use, total healthcare expenditures, and patient out‐of‐pocket expenditures were estimated and compared based on the presence of a mental disorder. We identified 112,283 patients, 23,726 (21%) of whom had a coexisting mental disorder. Median survival for patients without a mental disorder was 52 months (95% CI 50–53 months) and for patients with a mental disorder was 43 months (95% CI 42–44 months) (p < 0.001). Subgroup analysis identified patients with colorectal, gastric, or anal cancer to have a significant association between survival and presence of a mental disorder. Chemotherapy use was lower among patients with a mental disorder within regional colorectal cancer (43% vs. 41%, p = 0.01) or distant colorectal cancer subgroups (71% vs. 63%, p < 0.0001). The mean total healthcare expenditures were higher for patients with a mental disorder in first year following the cancer diagnosis (increase of $16,823, 95% CI $15,777‐$18,173), and mean patient out‐of‐pocket expenses were also higher (increase of $1,926, 95% CI $1753–$2091). There are a substantial number of GI cancer patients who have a coexisting mental disorder, which is associated with inferior survival, higher healthcare expenditures, and greater personal financial burden.
The effects of mobile payment on consumer behavior
Authors: Liu Yuewen , Luo Junlong , Zhang Long
Published: October 2020

With the advancement of technology and diversification of payment methods, mobile payment methods have gradually replaced traditional cash payments and become the mainstream payment mode. Although mobile payment is more convenient, is it faster than cash payment when their physical differences are controlled? Does it affect consumer behavior? We designed two studies to explore these questions. In Study 1, we required 192 participants to physically pay by cash or mobile phone and measured their willingness to pay (WTP). In Study 2, we compared the speed of the two payment methods when the physical differences between them were eliminated and measured consumers' willingness to buy from 46 students. Our results indicated that the effect of mobile payment, which increases WTP, also applies to specific products, and it does not occur if the money is a gift, as opposed to if it is earned. Moreover, when the process of cash payment is made as easy as mobile payment, people still spend less time on mobile payments than cash payment, and mobile payment effect is impacted by payment time. The above results supplement the evidence that payment methods have an impact on consumer behavior, and provide consumers, merchants, and regional managers with suggestions on payment methods.
Sense hardness: Effect of haptic perception on consumer attitudes towards brand extension
Authors: Zhong Ke , Wang Yihan , Wang Haizhong
Published: October 2020

Established brands endeavor to extend their products into new categories to grab market share and benefit from the positive spillover effect. The “fit” between extension products and their parent brands is a critical challenge companies face when launching a new product in a new product category, which is very different from the category served by the parent brand. A potential clue influencing consumers' perceived fit and attitudes towards extension products is the nondiagnostic haptic cues in touch environments. Thus, this study predicts that soft perception elicits more favorable attitudes towards extension product through attitude certainty and perceived fit than hard haptic perception. It develops a conceptual framework to anticipate that not all extension product judgements are equally affected by nondiagnostic haptic cues. Consumers' attitudes are less affected by nondiagnostic haptic cues when the extension product is from a close brand extension. The study examined the conceptual framework of four studies. Results of this work have many implications for package and offline stores design while contributing to the research in brand extension, cognition, and embodiment.
Effect of a fourth‐generation transcatheter valve enhanced skirt on paravalvular leak
Authors: Welle Garrett A. , El‐Sabawi Bassim , Thaden Jeremy J. , Greason Kevin L. , Klarich Kyle W. , Nkomo Vuyisile T. , Alkhouli Mohamad A. , Guerrero Mayra E. , Crestanello Juan A. , Holmes David R. , Rihal Charanjit S. , Eleid Mackram F.
Published: October 2020

Objectives

The aim of this study was to assess the 30 day incidence of paravalvular leak (PVL) and need for aortic valve reintervention of a fourth generation balloon expandable transcatheter valve with enhanced skirt (4G‐BEV) (SAPIEN 3 Ultra) compared with a third generation balloon expandable transcatheter valve (3G‐BEV) (SAPIEN 3).

Background

The incidence of PVL has steadily declined with iterative improvements in transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) technology and implantation strategies.

Methods

Patients who underwent TAVR at Mayo Clinic from 7/2018 to 7/2019 were included in a prospective institutional registry. 4G‐BEV has been utilized since 2/2019, and, after this date, 3G‐BEV and 4G‐BEV were simultaneously used. 4G‐BEV had three sizes (20, 23, and 26 mm) while 3G‐BEV included four sizes (20, 23, 26, and 29 mm). Both cohorts were evaluated at 30 days post‐TAVR with a transthoracic echocardiogram to assess for PVL.

Results

A total of 260 consecutive patients were included. Of these, 101 patients received a 4G‐BEV and 159 patients received a 3G‐BEV. There were more females (p = .0005) and a lower aortic valve calcium score (p = .02) in the 4G‐BEV cohort at baseline. Age, STS risk score, NYHA Class, and aortic valve mean gradient did not differ between groups. 4G‐BEV was associated with a lower incidence of mild PVL (10.8 vs. 36.5%; p < .0001) and moderate PVL (0 vs. 5.8%) compared to the 3G‐BEV at 30 days. There was no association between PVL and valve size in either cohort.

Conclusions

Utilization of 4G‐BEV is associated with reduced PVL at 30 days post‐TAVR compared with 3G‐BEV.
Study of Excited States and Electron Transfer of Semiconductor‐Metal‐Complex Hybrid Photocatalysts for CO2 Reduction by Using Picosecond Time‐Resolved Spectroscopies
Authors: Sato Shunsuke , Tanaka Sei'ichi , Yamanaka Ken‐ichi , Saeki Shu , Sekizawa Keita , Suzuki Tomiko M. , Morikawa Takeshi , Onda Ken
Published: October 2020

A semiconductor‐metal‐complex hybrid photocatalyst was previously reported for CO2 reduction; this photocatalyst is composed of nitrogen‐doped Ta2O5 as a semiconductor photosensitizer and a Ru complex as a CO2 reduction catalyst, operating under visible light (>400 nm), with high selectivity for HCOOH formation of more than 75 %. The electron transfer from a photoactive semiconductor to the metal‐complex catalyst is a key process for photocatalytic CO2 reduction with hybrid photocatalysts. Herein, the excited‐state dynamics of several hybrid photocatalysts are described by using time‐resolved emission and infrared absorption spectroscopies to understand the mechanism of electron transfer from a semiconductor to the metal‐complex catalyst. The results show that electron transfer from the semiconductor to the metal‐complex catalyst does not occur directly upon photoexcitation, but that the photoexcited electron transfers to a new excited state. On the basis of the present results and previous reports, it is suggested that the excited state is a charge‐transfer state located between shallow defects of the semiconductor and the metal‐complex catalyst.
Immunohistochemistry for CCR4 C‐terminus predicts CCR4 mutations and mogamulizumab efficacy in adult T‐cell leukemia/lymphoma
Authors: Fujii Keiichiro , Sakamoto Yuma , Masaki Ayako , Murase Takayuki , Tashiro Yukie , Yonekura Kentaro , Utsunomiya Atae , Ito Asahi , Kusumoto Shigeru , Iida Shinsuke , Ueda Ryuzo , Ishida Takashi , Inagaki Hiroshi
Published: October 2020

Mogamulizumab targets extracellular N‐terminal domain of CCR4, which is expressed in most adult T‐cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) cases. Recently, we reported that CCR4 C‐terminal gain‐of‐function mutations were frequent in ATL cases, and a subgroup with these mutations who were treated without allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and with mogamulizumab‐containing [HSCT (−) and mogamulizumab (+)] regimens had a superior survival rate. Although these mutations are most likely a biomarker for predicting a strong response to mogamulizumab, their detection is time‐consuming and costly. A more convenient screening tool may be necessary in the clinical setting. In this study, the clinicopathological importance of immunohistochemistry for the CCR4 N‐terminus (CCR4‐N‐IHC) and C‐terminus (CCR4‐C‐IHC) was examined in a large ATL cohort (n = 92). We found that CCR4‐C‐IHC, but not CCR4‐N‐IHC, was inversely correlated with the CCR4 mutation status. In ATL patients negative for CCR4‐C‐IHC, a subgroup treated with HSCT (−) and mogamulizumab (+) regimens showed a significantly better prognosis. In addition, CCR4‐C‐IHC was found to be a useful marker for high‐sensitivity screening of the CCR4 mutational status (87%). The present study suggests that CCR4‐C‐IHC may be useful for identifying ATL patients harboring mutated CCR4 who may benefit from the superior efficacy of mogamulizumab‐containing regimens and that CCR4‐C‐IHC may be a rapid and cost‐efficient tool for screening for CCR4 mutation status.
Life under the CABOSUN: Cabozantinib improves quality‐adjusted survival in comparison with sunitinib
Authors: Aragon‐Ching Jeanny B. , Madan Ravi A.
Published: October 2020

Quality‐of‐life analyses such as this one for the Cabozantinib Versus Sunitinib as Initial Targeted Therapy for Patients With Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma of Poor or Intermediate Risk: The Alliance A031203 CABOSUN Trial (CABOSUN) help to better define the relative impact of treatments beyond disease progression metrics, including socioeconomics. Although there are no head‐to‐head comparisons of the recent major clinical trials demonstrating efficacy in first‐line therapy for intermediate‐ or poor‐risk metastatic renal cell carcinoma, data from quality‐adjusted time without symptoms of disease or toxicity analyses can be used to also determine potential quality‐of‐life gains and toxicity.
Biomechanical role of osteoporosis in the vibration characteristics of human spine after lumbar interbody fusion
Authors: Wang Qing‐Dong , Guo Li‐Xin
Published: October 2020

Lumbar vertebrae osteoporosis is the most common challenge for lumbar interbody fusion, and this challenge has been widely concerned by scholars for many years. However, under whole‐body vibration, osteoporosis how to affect the vibration characteristics of the fusion lumbar spine, complications, and fusion outcomes is urgent to know. The L1‐L5 finite element model of lumbar spine was modified to simulate the transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion model with the bilateral pedicle screw fixator at L4‐L5 level. A 5 Hz, 40 N sinusoidal vertical load supplemented with a 400 N preload was used to simulate the vertical vibration of human body. The results showed that under whole‐body vibration, osteoporosis of fused vertebrae may cause the adjacent segments more unstable and increase the risk of adjacent segment diseases, subsidence, cage failure, rod failure, and lumbar instability. Osteoporosis of the fused vertebrae may cause the vertebral cells an unstable, inhibited growth and lead to poorer fusion outcomes. The findings may assist us in understanding the effect of osteoporosis on the vibration characteristics of lumbar spine fusion and provide references to clinical treatments for lumbar interbody fusion and lumbar vertebrae osteoporosis.
Pharmacokinetics of Ginsenoside Rh2, the Major Anticancer Ingredient of Ginsenoside H Dripping Pills, in Healthy Subjects
Authors: Wang Zhenlei , Liu Rui , Chen Li , Wang Huanhuan , Zhou Mi , Wang Yongsheng , Qin Yongping
Published: October 2020

Ginsenoside H dripping pill (GH) is a novel clinical‐stage adjuvant for the treatment of non‐small cell lung cancer. In this study, the pharmacokinetics of ginsenoside Rh2, the major anticancer ingredient of GH, was investigated in healthy volunteers. Enrolled volunteers were assigned to 3 cohorts—7.8, 15.6, and 31.2 mg—and received single and/or multiple GH orally. Blood samples were assayed by a validated bioanalytical method, and drug concentrations were analyzed using a noncompartmental methodology. The results showed that ginsenoside Rh2 was absorbed with medium speed and reached Cmax a median of 3 hours after administration. The exposure of ginsenoside Rh2 was approximately dose‐dependent in terms of AUC and Cmax. The plasma concentration of ginsenoside Rh2 reached steady state after oral administration of GH twice daily for 5 days. There was no obvious accumulation in exposure parameters in the multiple‐dose study.
Implication of Threonine‐Based Ionic Liquids on the Structural Stability, Binding and Activity of Cytochrome c
Authors: Kumar Sahoo Dipak , Devi Tulsiyan Kiran , Jena Subhrakant , Biswal Himansu S.
Published: October 2020

Ionic liquids (ILs) are useful in pharmaceutical industries and biotechnology as alternative solvents or sources for protein extraction and purification, preservation of biomolecules and for regulating the catalytic activity of enzymes. However, the binding mechanism, the non‐covalent forces responsible for protein‐IL interactions and dynamics of proteins in IL need to be investigated in depth for the effective use of ILs as alternatives. Herein, we disclose the molecular level understanding of the structural intactness and reactivity of a model protein cytochrome c (Cyt c) in biocompatible threonine‐based ILs with the help of experimental techniques such as isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), fluorescence spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) as well as molecular docking. Hydrophobic and electrostatic forces are responsible for the structural and conformational integrity of Cyt c in IL. The ITC experiments revealed the Cyt c‐IL binding free energies are in the range of 10–14 kJ/mol and the molecular docking studies demonstrated that ILs interact at the surfaces of Cyt c. The results look promising as the ILs used here are non‐toxic and biocompatible, and thus may find potential applications in structural biology and biotechnology.