bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The path to dissociative experiences: A direct comparison of different etiological models
Authors: Buchnik‐Daniely Yifat , Vannikov‐Lugassi Miriam , Shalev Hadar , Soffer‐Dudek Nirit
Published: February 2021

Severe dissociation is trauma‐related, but a range of dissociative experiences are also prevalent in clinical populations that are not necessarily trauma‐based (e.g., depression, anxiety disorders, and obsessive–compulsive disorders). These remain poorly understood as the dominant etiological model for dissociation relies on trauma. Importantly, dissociation in such samples predicts poor prognosis and high drop‐out rates. We set out to better understand the aetiology of dissociative experiences in a mixed clinical (anxiety and depression) and community sample by exploring between‐ and within‐subjects effects of two domains: psychological distress or negative affectivity (operationalized as anxiety and depression symptoms), and poor sleep quality, including disturbed dreaming. The idea that negative affectivity triggers dissociation (Distress Model) is inspired by the trauma model. The idea that poor sleep and unusual dreaming underlie dissociation (Sleep Model) has been suggested as a competing theory. We examined both models by exploring which domains oscillate alongside dissociative experiences. N = 98 adults, half of them diagnosed with depression and anxiety and half community controls, underwent a structured clinical interview and completed questionnaires monthly for 6 months. Support was found for both models in that each domain had a unique explanatory contribution. Distress evinced consistent effects that could not be explained by sleep or dreaming, both between individuals and across time. Oscillations in dissociation across months, when taking psychological distress into account, were better explained by unusual dreaming than traditional sleep quality measures. These findings cannot be generalized to highly‐traumatized samples. A complex, integrated etiological model for dissociative experiences is warranted.
Fully Automated Ancestral Sequence Reconstruction using FireProtASR
Authors: Khan Rayyan Tariq , Musil Milos , Stourac Jan , Damborsky Jiri , Bednar David
Published: February 2021

Protein evolution and protein engineering techniques are of great interest in basic science and industrial applications such as pharmacology, medicine, or biotechnology. Ancestral sequence reconstruction (ASR) is a powerful technique for probing evolutionary relationships and engineering robust proteins with good thermostability and broad substrate specificity. The following protocol describes the setting up and execution of an automated FireProtASR workflow using a dedicated web site. The service allows for inference of ancestral proteins automatically, from a single protein sequence. Once a protein sequence is submitted, the server will build a dataset of homology sequences, perform a multiple sequence alignment (MSA), build a phylogenetic tree, and reconstruct ancestral nodes. The protocol is also highly flexible and allows for multiple forms of input, advanced settings, and the ability to start jobs from: (i) a single sequence, (ii) a set of homologous sequences, (iii) an MSA, and (iv) a phylogenetic tree. This approach automates all necessary steps and offers a way for novices with limited exposure to ASR techniques to improve the properties of a protein of interest. The technique can even be used to introduce catalytic promiscuity into an enzyme. A web server for accessing the fully automated workflow is freely accessible at https://loschmidt.chemi.muni.cz/fireprotasr/. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

This article was corrected on 19 July 2022. See the end of the full text for details.

Basic Protocol: ASR using the Web Server FireProtASR
Natural killer cells in inflammatory autoimmune diseases
Authors: Yang Yuyan , Day Jessica , Souza‐Fonseca Guimaraes Fernando , Wicks Ian P , Louis Cynthia
Published: February 2021

Natural killer (NK) cells are a specialised population of innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) that help control local immune responses. Through natural cytotoxicity, production of cytokines and chemokines, and migratory capacity, NK cells play a vital immunoregulatory role in the initiation and chronicity of inflammatory and autoimmune responses. Our understanding of their functional differences and contributions in disease settings is evolving owing to new genetic and functional murine proof‐of‐concept studies. Here, we summarise current understanding of NK cells in several classic autoimmune disorders, particularly in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), multiple sclerosis (MS), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), but also less understood diseases such as idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs). A better understanding of how NK cells contribute to these autoimmune disorders may pave the way for NK cell‐targeted therapeutics.
FTO modifies the m6A level of MALAT and promotes bladder cancer progression
Authors: Tao Le , Mu Xingyu , Chen Haige , Jin Di , Zhang Ruiyun , Zhao Yuyang , Fan Jie , Cao Ming , Zhou Zhihua
Published: February 2021

Background

Nearly a half million people around the world are diagnosed with bladder cancer each year, and an incomplete understanding of its pathogenicity and lack of efficient biomarkers having been discovered lead to poor clinical management of bladder cancer. Fat mass and obesity‐associated protein (FTO) is a critical player in carcinogenesis. We, here, explored the role of FTO and unraveled the mechanism of its function in bladder cancer.

Methods

Identification of the correlation of FTO with bladder cancer was based on both bioinformatics and clinical analysis of tissue samples collected from a cohort of patients at a hospital and microarray data. Gain‐of‐function and loss‐of‐function assays were conducted in vivo and in vitro to assess the effect of FTO on bladder carcinoma tumor growth and its impact on the bladder carcinoma cell viability. Moreover, the interactions of intermediate products were also investigated to elucidate the mechanisms of FTO function.

Results

Bladder tumor tissues had increased FTO expression which correlated with clinical bladder cancer prognosis and outcomes. Both in vivo and in vitro, it played the function of an oncogene in stimulating the cell viability and tumorigenicity of bladder cancer. Furthermore, FTO catalyzed metastasis‐associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) demethylation, regulated microRNA miR‐384 and mal T cell differentiation protein 2 (MAL2) expression, and modulated the interactions among these processes.

Conclusions

The interplay of these four clinically relevant factors contributes to the oncogenesis of bladder cancer. FTO facilitates the tumorigenesis of bladder cancer through regulating the MALAT/miR‐384/MAL2 axis in m6A RNA modification manner, which ensures the potential of FTO for serving as a diagnostic or prognostic biomarker in bladder cancer.
Mediastinal granular cell tumor diagnosed with endoscopic ultrasound‐guided fine needle aspiration via a modified technique based on wet suction: A case report and literature review
Authors: Guo Yingjie , Ding Xueli , Liu Hua , Hou Feng , Jiang Yueping , Tian Zibin
Published: February 2021

Granular cell tumor (GCT) represents a less frequently seen tumor originating from Schwann cells. Although GCT develops in various locations in the human body, GCT of the mediastinum is extremely uncommon. A case of mediastinal GCT diagnosed by aspiration using a fine needle assisted by endoscopic ultrasound (EUS‐FNA) via a modified technique based on wet suction was reported. An asymptomatic 28‐year‐old man was referred for assessment of a mass in the mediastinum that was found incidentally via chest computed tomography (CT) at health screening. EUS demonstrated a hypoechoic lesion with a distinct boundary, which was derived from the upper posterior mediastinum and partly located close to the posterior wall of the esophagus. Therefore, EUS‐FNA with a modified wet suction technique was performed to harvest adequate specimens for the diagnosis of GCT. Minimally invasive tumor removal was performed, and histological examination of the specimen harvested surgically verified GCT, consistent with histological findings of the specimen obtained by EUS‐FNA. The case highlights that a good accuracy of histological diagnosis and specimen quality are achieved for the modified wet‐suction technique in EUS‐FNA, and a preoperative diagnosis of mediastinal GCT can be made with certainty.
Zbtb10 transcription factor is crucial for murine cDC1 activation and cytokine secretion
Authors: Smita Shuchi , Ghosh Arup , Biswas Viplov Kumar , Ahad Abdul , Podder Sreeparna , Jha Atimukta , Sen Kaushik , Acha‐Orbea Hans , Raghav Sunil K.
Published: February 2021

Dendritic cell (DC) activation and cytokine production is tightly regulated. In this study, we found that Zbtb10 expression is activation dependent and it is essential for the immunogenic function of cDC1. Zbtb10 knockdown (KD) significantly reduced the expression of co‐stimulatory genes CD80 and CD86 along with cytokines including IL‐12, IL‐6, and IL‐10, in activated cDC1 Mutu‐DC line. Consequently, the clonal expansion of CD44+ effector T cells in co‐cultured CD4+ T cells was drastically reduced owing to significantly reduced IL‐2. At the same time, these CD44+ effector T cells were unable to differentiate toward Tbet+IFNγ+ Th1 subtype. Instead, an increased frequency of Th2 cells expressing GATA3+ and IL‐13+ was observed. Interestingly, in Zbtb10 KD condition the co‐cultured T cells depicted increased expression of PD1 and LAG3, the T‐cell anergic markers. Moreover, the global transcriptome analysis identified that Zbtb10 is pertinent for DC activation and its depletion in cDC1 completely shuts down their immune responses. Mechanistic analysis revealed that Zbtb10 KD enhanced the expression of NKRF (NF‐κB repressing factor) leading to drastic suppression of NF‐κB related genes. Zbtb10 KD abrogated p65 and RelB nuclear translocation, thereby controlling the activation and maturation of cDC1 and the ensuing adaptive T cell responses.
A Model‐Based Assessment of Controllable Phase Change Materials/Liquid Coupled Cooling System for the Power Lithium‐Ion Battery Pack
Authors: Yang Naixing , Wang Meng , Wang Juan , Wang Liangliang , Fu Yonghong
Published: February 2021

An excellent battery cooling system is required not only to control the battery temperature within a reasonable range, but also to minimize the parasitic power consumption and the failure risk. A simplified thermal model for a pouch battery pack with three cooling schemes is developed in this work, where the battery heat generation rate is calculated by a semi‐empirical equation and the reliability of the thermal model is validated by the battery discharge experiments. Finally, an improved phase change materials (PCM)/liquid coupled cooling system is proposed, and its cooling effects are compared with the traditional liquid cooling scheme, where the start–stop control and the hysteresis phenomenon of the cooling system are considered in the simulations. Compared to the traditional liquid cooling scheme, the phase change materials (PCM)/liquid coupled system decreases the start–stop frequency by less than half (which can reduce the risk of system failure effectively) and reduces the pumping power consumption by at least 60%. In addition, the PCM/liquid coupled cooling system exhibits a higher reliability, whereas the battery temperature usually exceeds the upper limit when cooled with the traditional liquid cooling scheme due to the hysteresis problem of the cooling system.
Air‐Cathode with 3D Multiphase Electrocatalyst Interface Design for High‐Efficiency and Durable Rechargeable Zinc–Air Batteries
Authors: Askari Sadegh , Mariotti Davide , McGlynn Ruairi , Benedikt Jan
Published: February 2021

The development of rechargeable zinc–air batteries is hindered by the low energy‐conversion efficiency and the short cycle life, which are partly due to the unsatisfactory performance of the oxygen electrocatalysts on the air‐cathode. The low performance of the catalysts is partially due to the complexity of the gas‐involving multiphase interface required for the oxygen catalysis reactions, and it is often acquired only for a fraction of the loaded catalyst that is in direct contact with the 2D surface of the gas diffusion layer (GDL). A paradigm is proposed for extending the active region using an enhanced 3D multiphase interface on the cathode, which comprises abundant active sites with optimized hydrophobicity and reliable stability. The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) or the bifunctional catalyst is embedded into the bulk of the GDL and forms a semihydrophobic catalyst layer (SCL), whereas an auxiliary hydrophilic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalyst layer integrated onto the GDL assists to reduce the polarization during the cell charging and improves the cathode durability. An air‐cathode comprising the SCL exhibits an overall performance superior to the conventional cathode counterparts including cathodes with metal‐based catalysts, due to the enhanced and optimized multiphase interface on the cathode.
Reversible Intercalation of Al‐Ions in Poly(3,4‐Ethylenedioxythiophene):Poly(4‐Styrenesulfonate) Electrode for Aqueous Electrochemical Capacitors with High Energy Density
Authors: Ai Yuanfei , Zhang Xiaowei , Li Renjie , Lan Yingying , Zhao Yu , Ling Hao , Zhang Fan , Zhi Chunyi , Bai Xuedong , Wang Wenlong
Published: February 2021

Due to the high capacity of the three‐electron redox mechanism, Al‐ions‐based energy‐storage devices have the potential to provide a viable solution to meet the growing demand for powering electronic products. However, discovering suitable electrode materials for reversible insertion of Al ions remains a difficult task. Herein, it is reported that a classical conductive polymeric material poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(4‐styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) can perform the reversible Al‐ions intercalation for aqueous electrochemical capacitors. The as‐prepared PEDOT:PSS film on a carbon cloth composite electrode exhibits a large magnitude of faradaic currents and sharp redox peaks in cyclic voltammetry (CV) curves in aluminum sulfate electrolyte, and delivers a high capacitance of 269 F g−1 (78 mAh g−1). Diffusion‐controlled Al‐ions intercalation/deintercalation as the charge‐storage mechanism is demonstrated here, which is not observed in other ions‐based electrolytes (H+, Mg2+, Li+, Na+). An asymmetric electrochemical capacitor based on Al ions, composed of such an electrode and activated carbon electrode is assembled and displays a high energy density of 41.6 Wh kg−1 at a power density of 0.24 kW kg−1, demonstrating a promising aqueous electrochemical capacitor with an advanced energy density via polyvalent ions intercalation.
The nexus between environmental degradation and industrial development in Pakistan and roles of financial development and fossil fuel
Authors: Ali Muhammad Uzair , Zhimin Gong , Asmi Fahad , Xue Zhou , Muhammad Rizwanullah
Published: February 2021

The swift escalation in the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) has gained universal concern and on the global scale it has gotten the attention of research scholars and policy advisers. The use of fossil fuel in industrial and domestic activities has been labeled as a key cause for the production of GHG in the environment; in the meantime, researches focusing on the impact of fossil fuel on the emission of GHG for developing countries like Pakistan are very rare. The current study applied auto regressive distributed lag model techniques with structural breaks co‐integration technique for investigating the validity of a dynamic link among CO2 and industrial development and capturing the impact of fossil fuel consumption and economic development on Carbon emission. All variables have been discovered to be co‐integrated and the long‐term and short‐term dynamics have indicated the validity of inverted U‐shaped of the Environmental Kuznets Curve hypothesis where there has been inverted U‐shaped association among industrial development and CO2 which had also been established by Lind and Mehlum test. The Granger causality indicated unidirectional causality running from fossil fuel to CO2, and bidirectional causalities link between industrial growth and fossil oil and financial development and fossil fuel. For policy drives, current study advises for the use of low carbon emission, green and efficient technologies.
Microbial citric acid: Production, properties, application, and future perspectives
Authors: Behera Bikash Chandra , Mishra Rashmiranjan , Mohapatra Sonali
Published: February 2021

Microbial citric acid is an important organic acid widely used in pharmaceutical food, beverage, detergents, and cosmetics industries. Although citric acid is produced by different types of microorganism, the filamentous fungus Aspergillus niger is a workhorse for the production of citric acid. In the present review, special attention has been paid to address the advanced literature of citric acid production such as microorganism, substrates, screening methods, different fermentation techniques, different factors affecting citric acid production, and product recovery as well as numerous biotechnological applications of citric acid are also discussed for simple understanding of the subject.
Different patterns of gray matter atrophy in behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia with and without episodic memory impairment
Authors: Resende Elisa de Paula França , Hornberger Michael , Guimarães Henrique Cerqueira , Gambogi Leandro Boson , Mariano Luciano Inácio , Teixeira Antônio Lúcio , Caramelli Paulo , de Souza Leonardo Cruz
Published: February 2021

Background

Differentiating patients with behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) from Alzheimer's disease (AD) is important as these two conditions have distinct treatment and prognosis. Using episodic impairment and medial temporal lobe atrophy as a tool to make this distinction has been debatable in the recent literature, as some patients with bvFTD can also have episodic memory impairment and medial temporal lobe atrophy early in the disease.

Objectives

To compare brain atrophy patterns of patients with bvFTD with and without episodic memory impairment to that of patients with AD.

Methods

We analyzed 19 patients with bvFTD, 21 with AD and 21 controls, matched by age, sex, and years of education. They underwent brain MRI and the memory test from the Brief Cognitive Battery (BCB) to assess episodic memory. We then categorized the bvFTD group into amnestic (BCB delayed recall score <7) and non‐amnestic.

Results

The amnestic bvFTD group (n = 8) had significant gray matter atrophy in the left parahippocampal gyrus, right cingulate and precuneus regions compared with the nonamnestic group. Compared with AD, amnestic bvFTD had more atrophy in the left fusiform cortex, left insula, left inferior temporal gyrus and right temporal pole, whereas patients with AD had more atrophy in the left hippocampus, left frontal pole and left angular gyrus.

Conclusions

There is a group of amnestic bvFTD patients with episodic memory dysfunction and significant atrophy in medial temporal structures, which poses a challenge in considering only these features when differentiating bvFTD from AD clinically.
Temporal dynamics of evapotranspiration in semiarid native forests in Brazil and Spain using remote sensing
Authors: Alcântara Costa Juliana , Navarro‐Hevia Joaquín , Costa Carlos Alexandre Gomes , de Araújo José Carlos
Published: February 2021

Evapotranspiration (ET) plays an important role in integrated water resource planning, development and management. This process is particularly relevant in semiarid regions. The aim of this study is, hence, to compare spatial and temporal patterns of actual ET, as well as the temporal trends in two different semiarid forests, Caatinga (Brazil) and Tierra de Pinares (Spain). We used the surface energy balance algorithm for land (SEBAL) to assess actual evapotranspiration (ETa) in both areas. In the Brazilian semiarid forest, Caatinga is the main vegetation, while it is Pinares in Spain. For this purpose, 69 Landsat‐5 and 42 Landsat‐8 images (1995–2019) were used. The Mann–Kendall test was applied to assess the occurrence of trends in precipitation, temperature and potential ET data; and the Temporal Stability Index (TSI) to know which areas have greater seasonal ETa. The annual amplitude of the potential evapotranspiration (ET0) is the same in both areas, however, the Caatinga values are higher. In the Caatinga forest, when ET0 presents its highest values throughout the year, ETa presents the lowest, and vice versa. In the Pinares forest, ETa follows the ET0 dynamics during the year, and the difference between ET0 and ETa is maximum during the summer. The Caatinga forest showed a greater spatial variation of ETa than the Pinares forest as well as a greater extension with lower temporal stability of ETa than the Pinares forest. Both the Caatinga forest and the Pinares forest showed significant positive trends in annual ET0 and ETa. We estimate that the value of ETa increases more rapidly in Pinares than in the Brazilian Caatinga. Taking Caatinga as a hydrological mirror, some consequences are expected to Pinares, such as significant changes in the water balance, increase of biodiversity vulnerability, and reduction of water availability in soil and reservoirs.
TaNTIN: Terrestrial and non‐terrestrial integrated networks‐A collaborative technologies perspective for beyond 5G and 6G
Authors: Akhtar Muhammad Waseem , Hassan Syed Ali
Published: February 2021

The world is moving toward globalization rapidly. Everybody has easy access to information with the spread of Internet technology. Businesses are growing beyond national borders. Internationalization affects every aspect of life. In this scenario, by dispersing functions and tasks across organizational borders, time and space, global organizations have higher requirements for collaboration. In order to allow decision‐makers and knowledge workers, situated at different times and spaces, to work more efficiently, collaborative technologies are needed. In this paper, we give an overview of potential collaborative technologies, their benefits, risks and challenges, types, and elements. Based on the conceptualization of terrestrial and non‐terrestrial integrated networks (TaNTIN), we highlight artificial intelligence (AI), blockchains, tactile Internet, mobile edge computing (MEC)/fog computing, augmented reality and virtual reality, and so forth as the key features to ensure quality‐of‐service (QoS) guarantee of futuristic collaborative services such as telemedicine, E‐education, online gaming, online businesses, the entertainment industry. We also discuss how these technologies will impact human life in the near future.
The Differentiation Principle: Why Consumers Often Neglect Positive Attributes of Novel Food Products
Authors: Florack Arnd , Koch Teresa , Haasova Simona , Kunz Sonja , Alves Hans
Published: February 2021

To address the growing health awareness of consumers, the food industry designs novel food alternatives, which are similar but not identical to existing foods (e.g., meat‐reduced or plant‐based burgers). The idea is that consumers can continue to eat their preferred kind of food and still follow a healthy diet. However, we argue that it is too short‐sighted to hope that positive similarities to existing products help to increase purchase intentions, because consumers often focus on distinct attributes of new products and neglect the positive attributes shared by existing and novel food alternatives. We tested our hypotheses in six studies in which participants provided or received attributes for classic food products and novel alternatives with substituted ingredients to make them healthier. We observed that consumers perceive the distinguishing attributes between a classic product and its novel, healthier alternative to be predominantly negative, whereas they perceive most shared attributes to be positive. Moreover, we found the predicted neglect of shared attributes in the formation of taste expectations and purchase intentions. In the conclusion, we put forward that the observed evaluation bias can impede the success of novel food alternatives and discuss possible ways to overcome this disadvantage.
Deactivation and regeneration of Pt‐modified zeolite Beta–Bindzil extrudates in n‐hexane hydroisomerization
Authors: Vajglová Zuzana , Kumar Narendra , Peurla Markus , Hupa Leena , Semikin Kirill , Sladkovskiy Dmitry A , Murzin Dmitry Yu
Published: February 2021

BACKGROUND

The metal–acid bifunctional catalysts are widely used in many industrially significant chemical processes, including hydroisomerization of n‐hexane. Deactivation and regeneration of metal–acid bifunctional extrudates was investigated in continuous n‐hexane hydroisomerization in a fixed‐bed reactor. Four Pt/H‐Beta‐25 catalysts containing 30% Bindzil binder were prepared with the same composition and controlled metal deposition.

RESULTS

Different preparation steps led to differences in the mechanical strength, Pt particle size, acidity and strength, metal‐to‐acid site (cPt/cAS) ratio and proximity between two types of active sites. A very slow deactivation and high selectivity to C6 isomers was obtained when Pt was deposited on H‐Beta‐25 zeolite.

CONCLUSION

Initial selectivity to the desired products was correlated with the physicochemical properties of the catalysts. Location of the metal has a larger influence on catalyst deactivation of the bifunctional catalysts rather than the metal‐to‐acid site ratio or site proximity. Decline of n‐hexane conversion and selectivity to C6 isomers were correlated with changes in the textural properties and acidity of the deactivated catalyst, respectively. © 2021 The Authors. Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Immobilization of laccase from Bacillus subtilisDS on chitosan beads and standardization of process for biodegradation of textile dyes
Authors: Kumar Deepak , Khullar Aastha , Sharma Neha , Gupta Naveen
Published: February 2021

BACKGROUND

The textile industry generates a huge amount of effluents containing different hazardous dyes. Indigo carmine and malachite green are the most commonly used dyes in textile and dye industries. Pollution caused by these dyes affects aquatic life.

RESULTS

Bacillus subtilis DS produces an alkali‐thermostable laccase. This enzyme was immobilized on chitosan beads and conditions for immobilization were optimized. After immobilization, the maximum activity of 26 IU g–1 beads was found under optimized conditions of 1% glutaraldehyde, 3 h cross‐linking time and 5 h immobilization time. The immobilized enzyme retained a temperature and pH profile similar to that of the free enzyme. Significant enzyme activity was retained after ten reaction cycles with >60% stability after 15 days, allowed reuse of enzyme over multiple cycles. Immobilized laccase was used to degrade textile dyes and the conditions were standardized statistically for its optimal degradation. Under optimized conditions a high degradation rate was achieved for indigo carmine (95.24%) and malachite green (90%), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Immobilized laccase is a highly suitable candidate for bioremediation of textile industry dyes because of its stability and reusability. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry
Easy preparation, characterization and reactions of new 8‐chloro‐7‐formyl‐4‐oxo‐2‐phenyl‐4H‐pyrimido[1,2‐a]pyrimidine‐3‐carbonitrile
Authors: EL‐mahdy Kamelia M. , Farouk Osama
Published: February 2021

8‐Chloro‐7‐formyl‐4‐oxo‐2‐phenyl‐4H‐pyrimido[1,2‐a]pyrimidine‐3‐carbonitrile (3) is constructed using N‐(5‐cyano‐6‐oxo‐4‐phenyl‐1,6‐dihydropyrimidin‐2‐yl) acetamide (2) via Vilsmeier‐Haack formylation reaction. Compound 3 reacted with 3‐(triethoxysilyl)propan‐1‐amine under different conditions. Condensation of pyrimidopyrimidine 3 with thiosemicarbazone derivative gave Schiff base 8, which upon treating with Vilsmeier‐Haack reagent afforded pyrazole carbothioamide 9. Cyclocondensation of compound 3 with some binucleophiles namely thiocarbohyrazide, hydrazine carbodithioic acid, benzyl hydrazinecarbodithioate and/or 2‐thioxopyrimidinone was investigated. Structures of the new synthesized compounds were confirmed by their analytical and spectral data.
Comparison of clinicopathological features and outcomes in patients with primary leiomyosarcoma of bone and soft tissue
Authors: Gusho Charles A. , Blank Alan T. , Gitelis Steven
Published: February 2021

Backgrounds and Objectives

This investigation sought to describe the outcomes of primary leiomyosarcoma of bone (PLB) compared to soft tissue leiomyosarcoma (SLMS).

Methods

This was a review of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database from 1975 to 2016. Kaplan‐Meier methods were used to estimate disease‐specific survival (DSS), and a Cox regression model was used to identify prognostic factors.

Results

Of the 7502 identifiable cases, 1% (n = 74) were PLB and 99% (n = 7428) were SLMS. Survival was the same between PLB and SLMS (p = .209). On multivariable analysis for high‐grade SLMS, radiation (neoadjuvant: hazard ratio [HR], 0.56; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.4–0.8; p = .003; adjuvant: HR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.6–0.9; p = .008) and surgery (procedure specific) improved DSS. For PLB, wide resection/limb salvage (HR, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.3–0.5; p = .018) and amputation (HR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.5–0.9; p < .001) were positive prognostic factors. Neither radiation nor chemotherapy were prognostic factors for survival in PLB.

Conclusions

For SLMS, radiation portends a survival advantage. For PLB, however, neither chemotherapy nor radiation were significant prognostic factors, which suggests the optimal treatment for PLB, similar to other primary soft tissue sarcomas originating in bone, remains an unmet medical need.
Financial Slack and Inefficient Investment Decisions in China
Authors: Xiao Lijuan , Bai Min , Qin Yafeng , Xiong Lingyun , Yang Lijuan
Published: February 2021

Given the significant capital market imperfections and poor corporate governance mechanisms overinvestment and underinvestment coexist in China. This study provides a portrait of the nature of agency problems and financial constraints in China. Using a large panel of Chinese listed firms over the period from 2007 to 2018, we document strong evidence that firms with financial slack resources exhibit greater investment inefficiencies. Further analysis on firms with financial slacks shows that Chinese state‐owned enterprises (SOEs) are more likely to overinvest than non‐SOEs; firms with higher financing constraints show more overinvestment and less underinvestment; and firms facing more fierce market competitions are more likely to exhibit extra caution in making investment decisions and thus are less likely to overinvest. Our results are robust and consistent with the financial constraints and agency problem theories.
Semiautomatic quantification of abdominal wall muscles deformations based on dynamic MRI image registration
Authors: Jourdan Arthur , Le Troter Arnaud , Daude Pierre , Rapacchi Stanislas , Masson Catherine , Bège Thierry , Bendahan David
Published: February 2021

Quantitative analysis of abdominal organs motion and deformation is crucial to better understand biomechanical alterations undermining respiratory, digestive or perineal pathophysiology. In particular, biomechanical characterization of the antero‐lateral abdominal wall is central in the diagnosis of abdominal muscle deficiency. Here, we present a dedicated semiautomatic dynamic MRI postprocessing method enabling the quantification of spatial and temporal deformations of the antero‐lateral abdominal wall muscles. Ten healthy participants were imaged during a controlled breathing session at the L3–L4 disc level using real‐time dynamic MRI at 3 T. A coarse feature‐tracking step allowed the selection of the inhalation cycle of maximum abdominal excursion. Over this image series, the described method combines (1) a supervised 2D+t segmentation procedure of the abdominal wall muscles, (2) the quantification of muscle deformations based on masks registration, and (3) the mapping of deformations within muscle subzones leveraging a dedicated automatic parcellation. The supervised 2D+t segmentation (1) provided an accurate segmentation of the abdominal wall muscles throughout maximum inhalation with a 0.95 ± 0.03 Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) value and a 2.3 ± 0.7 mm Hausdorff distance value while requiring only manual segmentation of 20% of the data. The robustness of the deformation quantification (2) was indicated by high indices of correspondence between the registered source mask and the target mask (0.98 ± 0.01 DSC value and 2.1 ± 1.5 mm Hausdorff distance value). Parcellation (3) enabled the distinction of muscle substructures that are anatomically relevant but could not be distinguished based on image contrast. The present genuine postprocessing method provides a quantitative analytical frame that could be used in further studies for a better understanding of abdominal wall deformations in physiological and pathological situations.
An explicit order 2 scheme for the strong approximation of Stratonovich stochastic differential equations with scalar noise
Authors: Günay Akdemir Hande
Published: February 2021

A new class of stochastic Runge–Kutta (SRK) methods for the strong approximation of Stratonovich stochastic ordinary differential equations (SODEs) is presented. The proposed method is an alternative to the method of Xiao and Tang (Numer. Algor. 72: 259–296, 2016) and converges with order 2 in the strong sense. To validate the efficiency and to compare with some known methods, numerical simulations which involve generating Stratonovich stochastic integrals of level 3, are finally given.
Energy intake as a short‐term biomarker for weight loss in adults with obesity receiving liraglutide: A randomized trial
Authors: Saxena Aditi R. , Banerjee Anindita , Corbin Karen D. , Parsons Stephanie A. , Smith Steven R.
Published: February 2021

Background and Objective

Obesity is a chronic disease associated with many serious comorbidities. Pharmacologic therapies are approved for the treatment of obesity; however, short‐term biomarkers to predict weight loss are not well understood. This study aimed to determine the ability of single‐meal energy intake (EI) to predict weight loss in participants with obesity treated with liraglutide.

Methods

In this randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study, participants received subcutaneous liraglutide (titrated to 3.0 mg/day) or placebo once daily, with inpatient assessments at baseline and weeks 3 and 6. The primary endpoint was change from baseline (CFB) in EI during consecutive ad libitum lunch meals at weeks 3 and 6. Secondary endpoints included CFB in 24‐ and 48‐h EI, weight, appetite scores, and gastric emptying measures.

Results

Sixty‐one participants were randomized (n = 32, liraglutide; n = 29, placebo). The least squares mean (LSM) difference (95% CI; p‐value) in CFB in EI during ad libitum lunch meals between the liraglutide and placebo groups was −236 (−322, −149; p < 0.0001) kcal at week 3 and –244 (−339, −148, p < 0.0001) kcal at week 6. The liraglutide group experienced significant weight loss at weeks 3 and 6, compared with placebo. Weight loss was significantly correlated with EI, but not with appetite score or gastric emptying.

Conclusions

EI during a single meal is a robust clinical predictor of weight changes in participants with obesity. Future clinical trials can utilize EI at a single meal as a predictor of weight loss.
A review on clay‐reinforced ethylene propylene diene terpolymer composites
Authors: Surya Indra , Muniyadi Mathialagan , Ismail Hanafi
Published: February 2021

In the new era of sustainable developments, various adaptations have been carried out in many industries to revolutionize the quest for sustainable materials as a method to reduce the dependency on petroleum feedstock. One of such inventions focusing on the automotive industries with new concepts of energy automotive such as electric and hybrid cars, as well as the utilization of inorganic materials as a components of polymer composites, which is expected to reduce the demand and utilization of various rubber composites in automotive parts. However, due to remarkable increment of service life and inherent properties, ethylene propylene diene terpolymer (EPDM) has showed the highest consumption in automotive segments and the fastest development rate in the field of polymer modification. Thus, a comprehensive review concerning the development of environmentally friendly EPDM‐based composites reinforced by various clay minerals is highlighted and presented in this article. The characteristic of EPDM, including the chemistry, processing, properties, and applications, as well as the current research on various types of rubber/clay composites, EPDM/clay composites, and rubber/bentonite (Bt) composites, is reviewed and reported. In addition, the characteristics, properties, and applications of different types of clay minerals such as layered silicates, Bt clays, and montmorillonites as reinforcement material in EPDM composites are also included. Finally, the drawbacks and challenges in developments of EPDM/clay composites and the existing improvizations through various compatibilization of EPDM/clay composite system such as chemical modification of clays, functionalization using coupling agents, and compatibilization through grafting are discussed by highlighting the important findings.
A comparison of routine diabetes screening by sexual orientation in US adults
Authors: Tran Phoebe , Tran Lam , Tran Liem
Published: February 2021

Little is known about routine diabetes screening levels (test for high blood glucose or diabetes every three years) in US individuals who identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual (LGB) despite a high risk of diabetes in these groups. We compared routine diabetes screening levels between US adult LGBs and heterosexuals who belonged to either of the two American Diabetes Association's (ADA) recommended diabetes screening groups (age <45 years and body mass index (BMI) ≥25, age ≥45 years). Sexual orientation, diabetes screening and sociodemographic/diabetes risk factor information was collected from the 2015 and 2017 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System surveys. We calculated the unadjusted prevalence of diabetes screening in LGBs and heterosexuals for both ADA screening groups. Logistic regression modelling was used to obtain adjusted diabetes screening estimates by sexual orientation. LGBs had slightly higher unadjusted diabetes screening prevalences (age <45 years and BMI ≥25: 53.2%; age ≥45 years: 72.3%) compared to heterosexuals (age <45 years and BMI ≥25: 51.7%; age ≥45 years: 69.9%) for both ADA recommended screening groups. Irrespective of sexual orientation, diabetes screening prevalence was considerably lower in the younger ADA screening group with around 50% of individuals who should be screened not receiving screening. After adjustment for sociodemographic/diabetes risk factors, LGBs and heterosexuals had similar odds of diabetes screening in the age <45 years and BMI ≥25 (odds ratio [OR]: 0.98, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.80–1.21) and age ≥45 years (OR: 1.11, 95% CI: 0.91–1.35) groups. As a result of not receiving routine diabetes screening, more than 100,000 LGB individuals at high risk of developing diabetes face potential delays in diabetes diagnosis and treatment as well as increased future diabetes complications. Copyright © 2021 John Wiley & Sons.
Factors influencing antibiotic duration in culture‐negative neonatal early‐onset sepsis
Authors: Songer Corinne N. , Calip Gregory S. , Srinivasan Nishant , Barbosa Vanessa M. , Pham Jennifer T.
Published: February 2021

Study Objective

Little guidance exists on the treatment duration of culture‐negative early‐onset sepsis (CN‐EOS) in neonates, which may lead to prolonged antimicrobial therapy and adverse outcomes. Our objective was to identify risk factors associated with prolonged antibiotic therapy in CN‐EOS in neonates.

Design

This was a retrospective, matched cohort study of neonates treated with empiric antibiotic therapy for EOS. Infants were sampled with matching of gestational age (GA) into short (≤3 days) and prolonged (>3 days) antibiotic course. Primary outcomes were to identify predictive factors that may be associated with prolonged therapy and compare rates of late‐onset sepsis (LOS) and mortality. Secondary outcomes included necrotizing enterocolitis, feeding intolerance, and early development assessment. Predictors associated with prolonged antibiotic therapy were identified using multivariable‐adjusted logistic regression.

Measurements and Main Results

Three hundred infants were included with 150 infants in each group. Mean GA and birthweights were 34.2 ± 4.7 weeks and 2293 ± 991 g, respectively. Male gender, 5‐min Apgar <7, immature‐to‐total neutrophil ratio ≥0.2, C‐reactive protein (CRP) ≥10 mg/L, need for vasopressors, and mechanical ventilation were identified as significant predictors for prolonged antibiotics in all infants. Independent of GA, elevated CRP (OR 40.84, 95% CI 15.28–109.15, p < 0.001), need for vasopressors (OR 13.48, 95% CI 3.86–47.15, p < 0.001), and mechanical ventilation (OR 12.98, 95% CI 4.91–34.35, p < 0.001) remained significant predictors of prolonged antibiotic use. Infants in the prolonged courses experienced significant delays in achieving independent oral feeding compared with infants receiving short‐course antibiotics (median 17.5 vs. 8 days, p = 0.002, respectively). There were no significant differences in LOS, mortality, or other neonatal comorbidities.

Conclusions

Elevated CRP levels, need for vasopressors, and mechanical ventilation were associated with prolonged antibiotic use in neonates presumptively treated for CN‐EOS. Further research is warranted in identifying selective biomarkers for EOS and evaluating whether early antibiotic discontinuation for CN‐EOS, despite abnormal laboratory tests/illness severity, is safe and justified.
Increasing content accessibility to promote reading comprehension among English learners
Authors: Fite Nathan M. , Morrison Julie Q. , Hawkins Renee O. , Newman Christa , Rojas‐Guyler Liliana
Published: February 2021

This study employed an alternating treatment design with a baseline for three English learners in an urban Midwestern middle school to investigate the utility of a culturally adaptive intervention package called Preview‐Review. Participants were provided with a scripted bilingual preview of conceptual and contextual information relating to the topic and explicit instruction of passage vocabulary using cognates, multiple exemplars, and reinforcement. The effects of repeated readings alone and in combination with preview‐review were measured on oral reading fluency, reading comprehension score, and reading comprehension rate. Results indicated that the repeated readings with preview‐review were superior to the repeated readings stand‐alone condition across all target variables. The study also finds support for the use of reading comprehension rate for progress monitoring intervention effectiveness with English learners.
“Keep Your Move in the Tube” safely increases discharge home following cardiac surgery
Authors: Gach Richard , Triano Susan , Ogola Gerald O. , da Graca Briget , Shannon John , El‐Ansary Doa , Bilbrey Tim , Cortelli Michael , Adams Jenny
Published: February 2021

Background

Restrictive sternal precautions intended to prevent cardiac surgery patients from damaging healing sternotomies lack supporting evidence and may decrease independence and increase postacute care utilization. Data regarding the impact of alternative approaches on safety and outcomes are needed to guide evidence‐based best practices.

Objective

To examine whether an approach allowing greater freedom during activities of daily living than permitted under commonly used restrictive sternal precautions can safely decrease postacute care utilization.

Design

Before‐and‐after study, using propensity score adjustment to account for differences in patient clinical and demographic characteristics, surgery type, and surgeon.

Setting

600‐bed acute care hospital.

Intervention

Beginning March 2016, the acute care hospital replaced traditional weight‐ and time‐based precautions given to patients who underwent median sternotomy with the “Keep Your Move in the Tube” (KMIT) approach for mindfully performing movements involved in the activities of daily living, guided by pain.

Main Outcome Measures

The study compared sternal wound complications, discharge disposition, 30‐day readmission, and functional status between consecutive cardiac surgery patients with “independent” or “modified independent” preoperative functional status who underwent median sternotomy in the 1.5 years before (n = 627, standard precautions group) and after (n = 477, KMIT group) KMIT implementation.

Results

The odds of discharge to home, versus to inpatient rehabilitation or skilled nursing facility, were ~3 times higher for KMIT than standard precautions patients (risk‐adjusted odds ratio [rOR], 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.90, 1.95–4.32, and 3.03, 1.57–5.86, respectively). KMIT patients also had significantly higher odds of demonstrating “independent” or “modified independent” functional status on final inpatient physical therapy treatment for bed mobility (rOR, 95% CI = 7.51, 5.48–10.30) and transfers (rOR, 95% CI = 3.40, 2.62–4.42). No significant difference was observed in sternal wound complications (in‐hospital or causing readmission) (rOR, 95% CI = 1.27, 0.52–3.09) or all‐cause 30‐day readmissions (rOR, 95% CI = 0.55, 0.23–1.33).

Conclusions

KMIT increases discharge‐to‐home for cardiac surgery patients without increasing risk for adverse events and reducing utilization of expensive institutional postacute care.
Developing traps for the overwintering tree‐of‐heaven weevils Eucryptorrhynchus scrobiculatus and E. brandti (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)
Authors: Yang Kailang , Wen Junbao
Published: February 2021

BACKGROUND

The tree‐of‐heaven root and trunk weevils, Eucryptorrhynchus scrobiculatus (TRW) and E. brandti (TTW) are important boring pests of Ailanthus altissima in China. Overwintering TRW and TTW adults can continue to damage A. altissima trees and reproduce after they emerge from the soil each year. There is a lack of studies regarding the development of control measures during the overwintering period. A polyethylene terephthalate bottle trap (PETBT) and corrugated paper box trap (CPBT) were evaluated for their ability to trap TRW and TTW adults descending from trees to overwinter in the soil in Wutongshu and Shabatou locations in Ningxia, China.

RESULTS

Significantly more overwintering TRW adults were caught by the PETBT than the CPBT. There were no significant differences in the TTW captures in PETBT when compared to the CPBT. Both PETBT and CPBT have little effect on trapping overwintering TTW adults. Further trapping studies showed that PETBT treatments significantly reduced overwintering TRW numbers caught in population monitoring trap nets placed on the A. altissima tree trunks (an average annual reduction of 42% than the untreated trees).

CONCLUSION

These results demonstrate that PETBT is effective for trapping overwintering TRW adults. PETBT could be recommended as an alternative for managing TRW in the framework of integrated pest management.

© 2021 Society of Chemical Industry