bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pangasius Bone Powder (Definition, Production, Analysis Physicochemical Characteristics and Potency): A Review
Authors: Febriani Hagi Nuansa , Rochima Emma , Rostini Iis , Pratama Rusky Intan
Published: August 2021

Fish bones are a wasted and unused product though it contains high minerals, especially calcium and phosphorus, so that fish bones can be used as raw materials for making bone powder. The manufacture of pangasius bone powder generally goes through a heating process that aims to remove fat from the bones and can denature the protein. The physicochemical characteristics of pangasius bone powder greatly determine the use of the product and are related to the quality of the product. The physicochemical characteristics consisted of yield, bulk density, water content, ash content, fat content, protein content. The main potential of pangasius bone powder is as a source of calcium and phosphorus in meeting mineral needs for the body.
Multivariate Garch Analysis of Selected Nigerian Economic Data
Authors: Pepple Shakarho Udi , Harrison Etuk Ette , Essi Isaac D.
Published: August 2021

Aims: The aim of this   study is to examine   multivariate GARCH modeling of selected Nigerian economic data.

Study Design: The study used monthly data of Nigerian crude oil prices (dollar Per Barrel), consumer price Index rural, maximum lending rate and prime lending rate.

Methodology: This work covers time series data on crude oil prices, consumer price Index rural, maximum lending rate and prime lending rate extracted from   Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from 2000 to 2019. In attempt to achieve the aim of the study, quadrivariate VECH and DCC model were applied. 

Results: The results confirmed that returns on economic data were correlated. Also, diagonal multivariate VECH model confirmed one of the properties that it must be ‘positive semi-definite’,

And the DCC confirmed also the positive-definite conditional-variance.

Conclusion: From the results obtained, it was confirmed that there exists a strong confirmation of a time-varying conditional covariance and interdependence among Nigeria economic data. As for cross-volatility effects, past innovations in crude oil price have utmost control on future volatility of returns on economic data. It was also confirmed that time varying covariance displays among these economic data and lower degree of persistence and based on Model selection criteria using the Akaike information criteria (AIC) has 17.485 for diagonal VECH  while for DCC has 17.509 AIC  which makes  VECH model  better fitted.
An Improved Coronary Heart Disease Predictive System Using Random Forest
Authors: Abdul Abdulraheem , Isiaka Rafiu M. , Babatunde Ronke S. , Ajao Jumoke F.
Published: August 2021

Aims: This work aim is to develop an enhanced predictive system for Coronary Heart Disease (CHD).

Study Design: Synthetic Minority Oversampling Technique and Random Forest.

Methodology: The Framingham heart disease dataset was used, which was collected from a study in Framingham, Massachusetts, the data was cleaned, normalized, rebalanced. Classifiers such as random forest, artificial neural network, naïve bayes, logistic regression, k-nearest neighbor and support vector machine were used for classification.

Results: Random Forest outperformed other classifiers with an accuracy of 98%, a sensitivity of 99% and a precision of 95.8%. Feature selection was employed for better classification, but  no significant improvement was recorded on the performance of the classifier with feature selection. Train test split also performed better that cross validation.

Conclusion: Random Forest is recommended for research in Coronary Heart Disease prediction domain.
Assessment of Thyroid Hormone Levels in Diabetes Mellitus Subjects Resident in Port Harcourt Metropolis
Authors: Neebee–Sordum T. , Tamuno-emine D. G. , Onwuli D.
Published: August 2021

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess thyroid hormone levels in among diabetics in Port- Harcourt  of Rivers State in Nigeria

Study Design: This study is a cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at Chemical Pathology Department, Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Nigeria, between December, 2019 and February, 2020.

Methodology: A total of 224 subjects were recruited for the study, diabetic parents (132 subjects), non-diabetic parents (112 subjects. Five (5) ml of blood sample was collected and used to analyse for serum thyroxine (T4), tri-iodothyronine (T­­3) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) using Enzyme-linked immunoasorbent assay. Data were analyzed statistically with SPSS version 22.0 and values considered significant at p< 0.05.

Results: The mean ± S.D of serum TSH were 1.28± 0.6u/ml (control) and 1.84±1.05 u/ml (subject), (p=0.023). T4 value were 2.49 ± 0.86u/ml (control) (p=0.024) and 3.90 ±1,62u/ml (subjects) and T3 values were 1.89±0.41u/ml (p=0.0001).

Conclusion: The evaluation of thyroid hormones (TSH, T4 and T3) among diabetes with the age ranges of population studied shows that there was altered thyroid hormone in diabetes mellitus individuals.
Stability Indicating RP-HPLC Method for the Analysis of Dacomitinib and its Related Impurities in Bulk and Oral Solid Dosage Formulations
Authors: Kamani Venu , Sujatha M. , Rao G. S. N. Koteswara , Kumar N. Vinod
Published: August 2021

Dacomitinib is an epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor prescribed for the treatment of metastatic non small-cell lung carcinoma. There are no reported significant official of HPLC methods that resolve the impurities and degradation products generated during stability studies. Therefore, an isocratic RP-HPLC-UV method was developed for the determination of Dacomitinib in the presence of its related impurities and degradation products. The separation of Dacomitinib, impurity 1 and 2 was achieved on Agilent ZORBAX Eclipse (250×4.6 mm; 5 µ id) column as stationary phase, 0.1M sodium perchlorate at pH 5.6, acetonitrile as mobile phase in the ratio of 20:80 (V/V) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min in isocratic condition as mobile phase and UV detection was carried at 253 nm. In the optimised conditions, well resolved and retained peaks were observed at a retention time of 5.8 min, 4.0 min and 7.7 min for Dacomitinib, impurity 1 and 2 respectively. In the developed method, a very sensitive detection limit of 0.06 and 0.025 µg/mL was observed for impunity 1 and 2 respectively. The calibration was observed to be within the concentration range of 20 – 200 µg/mL for Dacomitinib and 0.2 – 2 µg/mL for impurity 1 and 2. The proposed method was used to investigate the effective separation of impurities along with degradation compounds formed under different degradative conditions and confirms that the method is stability indicating. Hence it can be concluded that the method was found to be simple, sensitive, specific, accurate, linear, precise, rugged, robust, and useful for estimation and characterizing the stability of Dacomitinib, impurity 1 and 2.
Dentists have a high occupational risk of neck disorders with impact on somatosensory function and neck mobility
Authors: Zhou Yanli , Zhou Weina , Aisaiti Adila , Wang Bingjie , Zhang Jinglu , Svensson Peter , Wang Kelun
Published: August 2021

Objectives

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in the neck and shoulder region may be associated with significant impairment of quality of life and well-being. The study was to determine the prevalence of painful MSDs in Chinese dentists and evaluate somatosensory function and neck mobility compared with non-dental professional controls.

Methods

One hundred dentists (age: 36.5 ± 9.8 years) and 102 controls (age: 36.2 ± 10.0 years) were recruited between September 2019 and December 2020. The Medical Outcome Study 36-item short-form health survey questionnaire and information of MSDs history were recorded. The cervical range of motion (CROM) with and without pain, and the pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) of the facial and neck muscles were tested. Chi-square test, Mann-Whitney U test and multiple linear regression analysis were used to analyze the data. The factors in the multiple linear regression analysis were occupation, working age, and gender.

Results

The prevalence rate of neck pain was significantly higher in dentists (73.0%) compared with the controls (52.0%) (P = .002). The regression models of cervical range of posterior extension, lateral flexion and rotation were statistically significant (P ≤ .001). The regression models of PPTs of the tested facial and neck muscles were statistically significant (P < .001).

Conclusion

Dentists are at higher risk of neck pain. The bigger cervical range of left rotation of dentists could be related to the working posture. The lower PPTs in dentists may reflect a hypersensitivity in the facial and neck muscles. Preventive measures are needed to reduce occupational hazards in dentists.
Nonobese mice with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis fed on a choline‐deficient, l‐amino acid‐defined, high‐fat diet exhibit alterations in signaling pathways
Authors: Suzuki‐Kemuriyama Noriko , Abe Akari , Nakane Sae , Uno Kinuko , Ogawa Shuji , Watanabe Atsushi , Sano Ryuhei , Yuki Megumi , Miyajima Katsuhiro , Nakae Dai
Published: August 2021

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is often associated with obesity, but some patients develop NASH without obesity. The physiological processes by which nonobese patients develop NASH and cirrhosis have not yet been determined. Here, we analyzed the effects of dietary methionine content on NASH induced in mice fed on a choline‐deficient, methionine‐lowered, l‐amino acid‐defined high‐fat diet (CDAHFD). CDAHFD with insufficient methionine induced insulin sensitivity and enhanced NASH pathology, but without obesity. In contrast, CDAHFD with sufficient methionine induced steatosis, and unlike CDAHFD with insufficient methionine, also induced obesity and insulin resistance. Gene profile analysis revealed that the disease severity in CDAHFD may partially be due to upregulation of the Rho family GTPases pathway and mitochondrial and nuclear receptor signal dysfunction. The signaling factors/pathways detected in this study may assist in future study of NASH regulation, especially its ‘nonobese’ subtype.
Episodic memory contributions to second language lexical development persist at higher proficiencies
Authors: Zhang Yin , Ridchenko Maryna , Hayashi Aimi , Hamrick Phillip
Published: August 2021

Individual differences in episodic memory abilities have been linked to second language (L2) lexical development, both theoretically and empirically, but such empirical support has been limited to the earliest phases of word learning. However, the Episodic L2 Hypothesis predicts that L2 lexical representations in more advanced L2 speakers are episodic in nature. To examine whether this means that individual differences in episodic memory also contribute to higher level L2 lexical abilities, we examined whether episodic memory abilities were predictive of lexical knowledge in a group of higher proficiency L2 learners who had years of exposure to their L2. The results revealed that episodic memory abilities predicted L2 lexical knowledge, a finding with pedagogical consequences. Moreover, these findings are consistent with several neurocognitive theories of the mental lexicon, and the Episodic L2 Hypothesis in particular.
High Hydrogen Mobility in an Amide–Borohydride Compound Studied by Quasielastic Neutron Scattering
Authors: Aslan Neslihan , Gizer Gökhan , Pistidda Claudio , Dornheim Martin , Müller Martin , Busch Sebastian , Lohstroh Wiebke
Published: August 2021

The hydrogen storage performance of reactive hydride composite can be significantly improved by the addition of and the subsequent formation of an amide–borohydride compound during hydrogen release. Herein, an investigation into the structure and anion motions of using synchrotron radiation powder X‐ray diffraction (SR‐PXD; 295–573 K) and quasielastic neutron scattering (QENS; 297–514 K) is described. The highest temperature studied with QENS (514 K) is above the melting point of . The neutron measurements confirm a long‐range diffusive motion of hydrogen‐containing species with the diffusion coefficient . Interestingly, this value is comparable to that of diffusion inferred from conductivity measurements. SR‐PXD confirms the recrystallization of from the melt into the α‐phase upon cooling. At temperatures below 514 K, localized rotational motions are observed that are attributed to tetrahedra units mainly undergoing rotations around the axes. The activation energy for this thermally activated process is found to be and respectively for the two instrumental resolutions utilized in the QENS measurements, corresponding to observation times of 55 and 14 ps.
Biodegradable Implantable Sensors: Materials Design, Fabrication, and Applications
Authors: Ashammakhi Nureddin , Hernandez Ana Lopez , Unluturk Bige Deniz , Quintero Sergio A. , de Barros Natan Roberto , Hoque Apu Ehsanul , Bin Shams Abdullah , Ostrovidov Serge , Li Jinxing , Contag Christopher , Gomes Antoinette S. , Holgado Miguel
Published: August 2021

The ability to monitor diseases, therapies, and their effects on the body is a critical component of modern care and personalized medicine. Real time monitoring can be achieved by analyzing body fluids or by applying sensors on, or alternatively, inside the body. Implantable sensors, however, must be removed. Second removal procedures lead to further tissue damage, which can be a problem in tissues such as those of the central nervous system. The use of biodegradable sensors alleviates these problems since they do not require removal procedures. Recent advances in material science made it possible for all sensor components to be biodegradable. Small size and power of implants, and the limited selection of materials are the main constraints determining the capabilities of the biodegradable device. Thus, the design will be always a challenge exploring a trade‐off among these parameters. Despite of the encouraging results illustrating that biodegradable sensors can be as accurate and reliable as commercially available nondegradable ones, biodegradable implantable sensors are still in their infancy. Significant advances made in this area are critically reviewed in this paper, and future prospects are highlighted.
Copper‐Catalysed Electrophilic Amination of Aryl(alkenyl) Boronic Acids with Nitrogen‐Containing Hypervalent Iodine (III) Reagent
Authors: Hu Yuanyuan , Zheng Songlin , Fan Wu , Yuan Weiming
Published: August 2021

A copper‐catalysed electrophilic N‐imination of aryl(alkenyl) boronic acids with a stable hypervalent iodine(III) reagent containing a transferable (diarylmethylene)amino group is developed. The electrophilic C−N cross‐coupling reaction proceeds smoothly at room temperature under oxidant‐free and base‐free conditions, which is further characterized by the broad functional group compatibility, thereof, extending the N‐electrophile scope of electrophilic C−N cross‐coupling outside the limitation of N−O and N−Cl reagents.

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Direct Visualization of Anti‐Ferroelectric Switching Dynamics via Electrocaloric Imaging
Authors: Vales‐Castro Pablo , Vellvehi Miquel , Perpiñà Xavier , Caicedo Jose Manuel , Jordà Xavier , Faye Romain , Roleder Krystian , Kajewski Dariusz , Perez‐Tomas Amador , Defay Emmanuel , Catalan Gustau
Published: August 2021

The large electrocaloric coupling in PbZrO3 allows using high‐speed infrared imaging for visualizing anti‐ferroelectric switching dynamics via the associated temperature change. It is found that in ceramic samples of homogeneous temperature and thickness, switching is fast due to the generation of multiple nucleation sites, with devices responding in the millisecond range. By introducing gradients of thickness, however, it is possible to change the dynamics to propagation limited, whereby a single‐phase boundary sweeps across the sample like a cold front, at a speed of ≈20 cm s−1. Additionally, introducing thermostatic temperature differences between two sides of the sample enables the simultaneous generation of a negative electrocaloric effect on one side and a positive one on the other, yielding a Janus‐like electrocaloric response.
Lithium Borate Ester Salts for Electrolyte Application in Next‐Generation High Voltage Lithium Batteries
Authors: Roy Binayak , Cherepanov Pavel , Nguyen Cuong , Forsyth Craig , Pal Urbi , Mendes Tiago Correia , Howlett Patrick , Forsyth Maria , MacFarlane Douglas , Kar Mega
Published: August 2021

The atmospheric instability and the corrosive tendency of hexafluorophosphate [PF6]− and fluorosulfonylimide [FSI]− based lithium salts, respectively, are among the major impediments towards their application as electrolytes in high voltage lithium batteries. Herein a new class of Li salts is introduced and their electrochemical behavior is explored. The successful synthesis and characterization are reported, including the crystal structure, of lithium 1,1,1,3,3,3‐(tetrakis)hexafluoroisopropoxy borate (LiBHfip). The oxidative stability of electrolytes of this salt in an ethylene carbonate:dimethyl carbonate mixture (v/v, 50:50) is found to be 5.0 V versus Li+/Li on various working electrodes, showing substantial improvement over a LiPF6 based electrolyte. Moreover, a high stability of an aluminum substrate is observed at potentials up to 5.8 V versus Li+/Li; in comparison, a LiFSI based electrolyte shows prominent signs of Al corrosion above 4.3 V versus Li+/Li. Cells tested with high voltage layered LiNi0.8Mn0.1Co0.1O2 (NMC811) and spinel LiMn2O4 (LMO) cathodes show stable cycling over 200 cycles with capacity retention of 76% and 90%, respectively. The LMO|Li cell maintains this same low capacity fade rate for 1000 cycles even after the salt has been exposed for 24 h to atmospheric conditions (water content ≈0.57 mass%).
Feed and forage development in mixed crop–livestock systems of the Ethiopian highlands: Africa RISING project research experience
Authors: Mekonnen Kindu , Bezabih Melkamu , Thorne Peter , Gebreyes Million Getnet , Hammond Jim , Adie Aberra
Published: August 2021

Africa Research in Sustainable Intensification for Next Generation (RISING) project has conducted action research on livestock feed and forages starting in 2012 to bridge gaps on feed availability and quality. The objectives of this paper are to share approaches on how Africa RISING project enabled smallholder farmers to intensify feed and forage resources; present research findings of selected cultivated forages, fodder trees, and postharvest feed and forage utilization innovations; and highlight key lessons evolving from the feed and forage action research and scaling interventions. The project established partnership with CGIAR and local partners, conducted participatory need assessment, prioritized researchable issues, identified and validated different forages and utilization innovations, and created development partnership to facilitate wider scaling. Training activities and multistakeholder platforms were used to enhance cross learning of project partners. The cultivated forages grown under farmers’ fields and management conditions provided high biomass yield of good nutritional quality. For instance, oat (Avena sativa L.)–vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) mixture, lablab [Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet], vetch–desho grass (Pennisetum pedicellatum Trin.) intercropping, sweet lupin (Lupinus albus L.), alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), and fodder beet (Beta vulgaris L.) yielded on average 15, 3.4, 5.5, 2.9, 15.3, and 20.2 t dry matter ha−1, respectively. Animal response trials showed an increase in milk yield of 30–50% with supplementation of oat–vetch mixture and fodder beet. Feed wastage was considerably reduced (>30%) due to the use of feed troughs and storage sheds, with high economic incentives to invest in such innovations. Integrating and intensifying feed and forage resources and postharvest innovations at farm level remains a priority to improve livestock productivity and food security.
Low‐dose thymoglobulin for prevention of chronic graft‐versus‐host disease in transplantation from an HLA‐matched sibling donor
Authors: Cho Byung‐Sik , Min Gi‐June , Park Sung‐Soo , Yoon Seok Yoon , Park Silvia , Jeon Young‐Woo , Shin Seung‐Hwan , Yahng Seung‐Ah , Yoon Jae‐Ho , Lee Sung‐Eun , Eom Ki‐Seong , Kim Yoo‐Jin , Min Chang‐Ki , Cho Seok‐Goo , Kim Dong‐Wook , Lee Jong Wook , Kim Hee‐Je , Lee Seok
Published: August 2021

Despite the proven efficacy of anti‐T‐cell or antithymocyte globulin (ATG) for chronic graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) prevention in transplantation from an unrelated donor, dosing protocols and the effects of ATG on relapse and infection remain controversial. In the setting of transplantation from an HLA‐matched sibling (MSD‐T), few randomized studies have been conducted. We conducted a prospective, single‐center, open‐label, randomized study of low‐dose thymoglobulin (2.5 mg/kg) for chronic GVHD prevention. A total of 120 patients with acute leukemia were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio. After a median follow‐up of 27 months, the cumulative incidence of chronic GVHD in the ATG and non‐ATG groups was 25.0% and 65.4% (p < 0.001), respectively. The ATG group had an increased relapse rate compared with the non‐ATG‐group (20.0% vs. 9.3%; p = 0.055), with risks that differed according to cytogenetic subgroup (high‐risk, 29.6% vs. 9.3%, p = 0.042; non‐high‐risk, 12.2% vs. 9.2%, p = 0.596). Chronic GVHD‐free and relapse‐free survival (cGRFS) was higher in the ATG group (46.7% vs. 19.4%; p = 0.070), and the difference was significant in a cytogenetic non‐high‐risk subgroup (45.5% vs. 0%; p = 0.038). No differences were observed in other survival outcomes. Improved physical components in quality‐of‐life scores were observed in the ATG group at 12 months after transplantation. A higher rate of Epstein–Barr virus reactivation was observed in the ATG group (21.8% vs. 5.1%; p = 0.013), whereas no between‐group differences for other complications. In conclusion, the low‐dose thymoglobulin effectively prevented chronic GVHD in MSD‐T, resulting in improvement in quality‐of‐life and cGRFS, whereas the necessity of caution for high‐risk acute leukemia.
Pd‐Catalyzed Cascade Heck‐Type Annulation And Carbonylation to β‐Oxindolysulfoximidoyl Amides at Room Temperature
Authors: Liu Huahua , Xiong Yuping , Chen Zhiyuan
Published: August 2021

An efficient intramolecular Heck annulation and trapping of the resulting cyclic α‐oxindolylpalladium species by CO (1 atm) and NH‐sulfoximine in a cascade protocol at room temperature was described, which offering 3,3‐disubstituted β‐indoly sulfoximidoyl amides in mostly excellent yields under very gentle reaction conditions.
7T MRI Differentiates Remyelinated from Demyelinated Multiple Sclerosis Lesions
Authors: Kolb Hadar , Absinta Martina , Beck Erin S. , Ha Seung‐Kwon , Song Yeajin , Norato Gina , Cortese Irene , Sati Pascal , Nair Govind , Reich Daniel S.
Published: August 2021

Objective

To noninvasively assess myelin status in chronic white matter lesions of multiple sclerosis (MS), we developed and evaluated a simple classification scheme based on T1 relaxation time maps derived from 7‐tesla postmortem and in vivo MRI.

Methods

Using the MP2RAGE MRI sequence, we classified 36 lesions from 4 postmortem MS brains as “long‐T1,” “short‐T1,” and “mixed‐T1” by visual comparison to neocortex. Within these groups, we compared T1 times to histologically derived measures of myelin and axons. We performed similar analysis of 235 chronic lesions with known date of onset in 25 MS cases in vivo and in a validation cohort of 222 lesions from 66 MS cases, investigating associations with clinical and radiological outcomes.

Results

Postmortem, lesions classified qualitatively as long‐T1, short‐T1, and mixed‐T1 corresponded to fully demyelinated, fully remyelinated, and mixed demyelinated/remyelinated lesions, respectively (p ≤ 0.001). Demyelination (rather than axon loss) dominantly contributed to initial T1 prolongation. We observed lesions with similar characteristics in vivo, allowing manual classification with substantial interrater and excellent intrarater reliability. Short‐T1 lesions were most common in the deep white matter, whereas long‐T1 and mixed‐T1 lesions were prevalent in the juxtacortical and periventricular white matter (p = 0.02) and were much more likely to have paramagnetic rims suggesting chronic inflammation (p < 0.001). Older age at the time of lesion formation portended less remyelination (p = 0.007).

Interpretation

7‐tesla T1 mapping with MP2RAGE, a clinically available MRI method, allows qualitative and quantitative classification of chronic MS lesions according to myelin content, rendering straightforward the tracking of lesional myelination changes over time. ANN NEUROL 2021;90:612–626
Subthalamic and Pallidal Stimulations in Patients with Parkinson's Disease: Common and Dissociable Connections
Authors: Zhang Chencheng , Lai Yijie , Li Jun , He Naying , Liu Yu , Li Yan , Li Hongyang , Wei Hongjiang , Yan Fuhua , Horn Andreas , Li Dianyou , Sun Bomin
Published: August 2021

Objective

The subthalamic nucleus (STN) and internal globus pallidus (GPi) are the most effective targets in deep brain stimulation (DBS) for Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the common and specific effects on brain connectivity of stimulating the 2 nuclei remain unclear.

Methods

Patients with PD receiving STN‐DBS (n = 27, 6 women, mean age 64.8 years) or GPi‐DBS (n = 28, 13 women, mean age 64.6 years) were recruited for resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging to assess the effects of STN‐DBS and GPi‐DBS on brain functional dynamics.

Results

The functional connectivity both between the somatosensory‐motor cortices and thalamus, and between the somatosensory‐motor cortices and cerebellum decreased in the DBS‐on state compared with the off state (p < 0.05). The changes in thalamocortical connectivity correlated with DBS‐induced motor improvement (p < 0.05) and were negatively correlated with the normalized intersection volume of tissues activated at both DBS targets (p < 0.05). STN‐DBS modulated functional connectivity among a wider range of brain areas than GPi‐DBS (p = 0.009). Notably, only STN‐DBS affected connectivity between the postcentral gyrus and cerebellar vermis (p < 0.001) and between the somatomotor and visual networks (p < 0.001).

Interpretation

Our findings highlight common alterations in the motor pathway and its relationship with the motor improvement induced by both STN‐ and GPi‐DBS. The effects on cortico‐cerebellar and somatomotor‐visual functional connectivity differed between groups, suggesting differentiated neural modulation of the 2 target sites. Our results provide mechanistic insight and yield the potential to refine target selection strategies for focal brain stimulation in PD. ANN NEUROL 2021;90:670–682
Automated Electrical Quantification of Vitamin B1 in a Bodily Fluid using an Engineered Nanopore Sensor
Authors: Lucas Florian Leonardus Rudolfus , Piso Tjemme Rinze Cornelis , van der Heide Nieck Jordy , Galenkamp Nicole Stéphanie , Hermans Jos , Wloka Carsten , Maglia Giovanni
Published: August 2021

The ability to measure the concentration of metabolites in biological samples is important, both in the clinic and for home diagnostics. Here we present a nanopore‐based biosensor and automated data analysis for quantification of thiamine in urine in less than a minute, without the need for recalibration. For this we use the Cytolysin A nanopore and equip it with an engineered periplasmic thiamine binding protein (TbpA). To allow fast measurements we tuned the affinity of TbpA for thiamine by redesigning the π‐π stacking interactions between the thiazole group of thiamine and TbpA. This substitution resulted furthermore in a marked difference between unbound and bound state, allowing the reliable discrimination of thiamine from its two phosphorylated forms by residual current only. Using an array of nanopores, this will allow the quantification within seconds, paving the way for next‐generation single‐molecule metabolite detection systems.
Near‐Infrared‐Excited Multicolor Afterglow in Carbon Dots‐Based Room‐Temperature Afterglow Materials
Authors: Zheng Yihao , Wei Haopeng , Liang Ping , Xu Xiaokai , Zhang Xingcai , Li Huihong , Zhang Chenlu , Hu Chaofan , Zhang Xuejie , Lei Bingfu , Wong Wai‐Yeung , Liu Yingliang , Zhuang Jianle
Published: August 2021

Room‐temperature afterglow (RTA) materials with long lifetime have shown tremendous application prospects in many fields. However, there is no general design strategy to construct near‐infrared (NIR)‐excited multicolor RTA materials. Herein, we report a universal approach based on the efficient radiative energy transfer that supports the reabsorption from upconversion materials (UMs) to carbon dots‐based RTA materials (CDAMs). Thus, the afterglow emission (blue, cyan, green, and orange) of various CDAMs can be activated by UMs under the NIR continuous‐wave laser excitation. The efficient radiative energy transfer ensured the persistent multicolor afterglow up to 7 s, 6 s, 5 s, and 0.5 s by naked eyes, respectively. Given the unusual afterglow properties, we demonstrated preliminary applications in fingerprint recognition and information security. This work provides a new avenue for the activation of NIR‐excited afterglow in CDAMs and will greatly expand the applications of RTA materials.
An investigation of structure, Hirshfeld surface, and fluorescence properties of two dinuclear Ni (II) and Zn (II) salamo‐type complexes
Authors: Pu Lu‐Mei , Li Peng , Li Shi‐Zhen , Xu Wei‐Bing , Long Hai‐Tao , Dong Wen‐Kui
Published: August 2021

Two dinuclear Ni (II) and Zn (II) salamo‐type complexes, [Ni2(L)(μ‐OAc)(MeOH)]·2CHCl3 (1) and [{Zn2(L)(μ‐OMe)}3]·3CHCl3·MeOH (2), have been successfully synthesized by wet‐chemical method and characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectra, UV–Vis spectra and single crystal X‐ray diffraction. Complex 1 consists of two closely related dinuclear units 1A and 1B, and complex 2 consists of three closely related dinuclear units 2A, 2B and 2C. The five units are unique example of crystallographically independent but chemically identical molecules. The Ni (II) atoms of complex 1 are located in the N2O4 coordination cavities, possessing six‐coordinated distorted octahedral geometries, but all Zn (II) atoms in complex 2 are located in the N2O3 coordination cavities, possessing five‐coordinated distorted square‐pyramid and triangular bipyramid geometries, the geometries about the Zn (II) atoms (Zn3 and Zn6) that obtain in 2B and 2C where τ5 is very close to 0.500, which is τ5Zn3 = 0.5006 and τ5Zn6 = 0.4941, respectively. The interactions were quantitatively determined by Hirshfeld surfaces analyses. Significantly, fluorescence properties were also investigated.
The effect of polyethylene‐graft‐maleic anhydride on ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene/carboxymethyl cellulose blends
Authors: Ozcan Sonay , Dandan Doganci Merve
Published: August 2021

In this study, it is aimed to produce biocompatible polymer blends by using ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) as a matrix and a cellulose‐based polymer, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) as filler at different concentrations. Polyethylene‐graft‐maleic anhydride (PE‐g‐MA) was used as compatibilizer in order to ensure effective distribution of hydrophilic cellulose particles in hydrophobic UHMWPE matrix and its effect on blends was investigated. The UHMWPE/CMC blends were fabricated by sintering of two powder materials and effects of different sintering conditions such as sintering temperature and time were examined on the morphological and surface properties of blends. The hardness, air permeability, contact angle variations on the blend surfaces were investigated. 150°C–30 min sintering condition was determined as optimum sintering time and temperature to prepare the blends having adequate hardness with high‐air permeability properties. It was found that with the increase of CMC content in the blends the hardness, air permeability and contact angle values were decreased. The addition of PE‐g‐MA caused an increment for blends prepared at 150°C–30 min conditions having high‐air permeability.
Protected areas and frugivorous fish in tropical rivers: Small‐scale fisheries, conservation and ecosystem services
Authors: Nagl Paula , Hallwass Gustavo , Tomazoni‐Silva Luís H. , Nitschke Pedro P. , Rowedder Anais R. P. , Romero‐Martinez Astrid Tatiana , Silvano Renato A. M.
Published: August 2021

Frugivorous fish provide often conflicting ecosystem services of seed dispersal and food provisioning in tropical rivers. Fishing may reduce the size and abundance of frugivorous fish, thus affecting their potential as seed dispersers, which could affect the conservation of these fish and of floodplain forests.

The goal of this study was to assess the influence of co‐managed protected areas in the form of extractive reserves (RESEX) and small‐scale fisheries on frugivorous fish in the Tapajós and Negro rivers, in the Brazilian Amazon. The study examined whether: (i) frugivorous fish are important for fisheries and selectively caught; and (ii) frugivorous fish abundance, size and fisheries catch per unit of effort are higher inside the RESEX than outside.

The analyses included fisheries‐dependent data (3,753 fish landings) and independent data (12,730 sampled fish) collected in 16 fishing communities (eight for each river). In both rivers, frugivorous fish are among the 10 species caught the most and frugivorous biomass was proportionately higher in landings than in samplings, indicating fisheries selectivity towards these fishes.

In both rivers, catches of frugivorous fish were higher outside the RESEX than inside. Catch per unit effort and the proportion of frugivores in the catch were higher outside the RESEX in the Tapajós River but did not vary between sites inside and outside the RESEX in the Negro River. Frugivorous fish were larger inside the RESEX in the Negro, but smaller inside the RESEX in the Tapajós.

The results indicated that the ecosystem services of seed dispersal and food source provided by frugivorous fish are not in conflict in the tropical rivers studied. Therefore, these clearwater and blackwater rivers in the Brazilian Amazon show a balance between fisheries and conservation of frugivorous fish, which play an essential role in the functioning of tropical floodplain forest ecosystems.
A Golgi study of neurons in the camel cerebellum (Camelus dromedarius)
Authors: Al‐Hussain Saleh M. , Yousuf Mustafa S. , Hani Ayat Bani , Zaqout Sami , Djouhri Laiche , Mustafa Ayman G.
Published: August 2021

Neurons in the cerebellar cortex of camels were studied using modified Golgi impregnation methods. Neurons were classified according to their position, morphology of their soma, density and distribution of dendrites, and the course of their axons. Accordingly, eight types of neurons were identified. Three types were found in the molecular layer: upper and lower stellate cells and basket cells, and four types were found in the granular layer: granule cells, Golgi Type II cells, Lugaro cells, and unipolar brush cells. Only the somata of Purkinje cells were found in the Purkinje cell layer. The molecular layer is characterized by the presence of more dendrites, dendritic spines, and transverse fibers. Golgi cells also show extensive dendritic branching and spines. The results illustrate the neuronal features of the camel cerebellum as a large mammal living in harsh environmental conditions. These findings should contribute to advancing our understanding of species‐comparative anatomy in achieving better coordination of motor activity.
Scandium Reduced Arene Complex: Protonation and Reaction with Azobenzene
Authors: Ghana Priyabrata , Spaniol Thomas P. , Okuda Jun
Published: August 2021

The reactivity of the reduced anthracene complex of scandium [Li(thf)3][Sc{N(tBu)Xy}2(anth)] (2‐anth‐Li) (Xy=3,5‐Me2C6H3; anth=C14H102−, thf=tetrahydrofuran) toward Brønsted acid [NEt3H][BPh4] and azobenzene is reported. While a stepwise protonation of 2‐anth‐Li with two equivalents of [NEt3H][BPh4] afforded the scandium cation [Sc{N(tBu)Xy}2(thf)2][BPh4] (3), reduction of azobenzene gave a thermolabile, anionic scandium reduced azobenzene complex [Li(thf)][Sc{N(tBu)Xy}2(η2‐PhNNPh)] (4), which slowly lost one of the anilide ligands to form the neutral scandium azobenzene complex dimer [Sc{N(tBu)Xy}(μ‐η2:η2‐Ph2N2)]2 (5). Exposure of 3 to CO2 produced the scandium carbamate complex [Sc{κ2‐O2CN(tBu)(Xy)}2][BPh4] (6) as a result of CO2 insertion into the Sc−N bonds. In an attempt to prepare scandium hydrides, the reaction of 3 with the hydride sources LiAlH4 and Na[BEt3H] led to the terminal aluminum hydride [AlH{N(tBu)Xy}2(thf)] (7) and the scandium n‐butoxide [Sc{N(tBu)(Xy)}2(μ‐OnBu)] (8) after Sc/Al transmetalation and nucleophilic ring‐opening of THF, respectively. All reported compounds isolated in moderate to good yields were fully characterized.
L‐malic acid production from xylose by engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Kang Nam Kyu , Lee Jae Won , Ort Donald R. , Jin Yong‐Su
Published: August 2021

L‐malic acid is widely used in the food, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries. Here, we report on production of malic acid from xylose, the second most abundant sugar in lignocellulosic hydrolysates, by engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae. To enable malic acid production in a xylose‐assimilating S. cerevisiae, we overexpressed PYC1 and PYC2, coding for pyruvate carboxylases, a truncated MDH3 coding for malate dehydrogenase, and SpMAE1, coding for a Schizosaccharomyces pombe malate transporter. Additionally, both the ethanol and glycerol‐producing pathways were blocked to enhance malic acid production. The resulting strain produced malic acid from both glucose and xylose, but it produced much higher titers of malic acid from xylose than glucose. Interestingly, the engineered strain had higher malic acid yield from lower concentrations (10 g L‒1) of xylose, with no ethanol production, than from higher xylose concentrations (20 and 40 g L‒1). As such, a fed‐batch culture maintaining xylose concentrations at low levels was conducted and 61.2 g L‒1 of malic acid was produced, with a productivity of 0.32 g L‒1 h. These results represent successful engineering of S. cerevisiae for the production of malic acid from xylose, confirming that that xylose offers the efficient production of various biofuels and chemicals by engineered S. cerevisiae.
Degenerative disease‐on‐a‐chip: Developing microfluidic models for rapid availability of newer therapies
Authors: Jahagirdar Devashree , Bangde Prachi , Jain Ratnesh , Dandekar Prajakta
Published: August 2021

Background

Understanding the pathophysiology of degenerative diseases pertaining to nervous system, ocular region, bone/cartilage, and muscle are still being comprehended, thus delaying the availability of targeted therapies.

Purpose and Scope

Newer micro‐physiological systems (organ‐on‐chip technology) involves development of more sophisticated devices, modelling a range of in vitro human tissues and an array of models for diseased conditions. These models expand opportunities for high throughput screening (HTS) of drugs and are likely to be rapid and cost‐effective, thus reducing extensive usage of animal models.

Conclusion

Through this review article, we aim to present an overview of the degenerative disease models that are presently being developed using microfluidic platforms with the aim of mimicking in vivo tissue physiology and micro‐architecture. The manuscript provides an overview of the degenerative disease models and their potential for testing and screening of possible biotherapeutic molecules and drugs. It highlights the perspective of the regulatory bodies with respect to the established‐on chip models and thereby enhancing its translational potential.
Synergisms of machine learning and constraint‐based modeling of metabolism for analysis and optimization of fermentation parameters
Authors: Khaleghi Mohammad Karim , Savizi Iman Shahidi Pour , Lewis Nathan E. , Shojaosadati Seyed Abbas
Published: August 2021

Recent noteworthy advances in developing high‐performing microbial and mammalian strains have enabled the sustainable production of bio‐economically valuable substances such as bio‐compounds, biofuels, and biopharmaceuticals. However, to obtain an industrially viable mass‐production scheme, much time and effort are required. The robust and rational design of fermentation processes requires analysis and optimization of different extracellular conditions and medium components, which have a massive effect on growth and productivity. In this regard, knowledge‐ and data‐driven modeling methods have received much attention. Constraint‐based modeling (CBM) is a knowledge‐driven mathematical approach that has been widely used in fermentation analysis and optimization due to its ability to predict the cellular phenotype from genotype through high‐throughput means. On the other hand, machine learning (ML) is a data‐driven statistical method that identifies the data patterns within sophisticated biological systems and processes, where there is inadequate knowledge to represent underlying mechanisms. Furthermore, ML models are becoming a viable complement to constraint‐based models in a reciprocal manner when one is used as a pre‐step of another. As a result, a more predictable model is produced. This review highlights the applications of CBM and ML independently and the combination of these two approaches for analyzing and optimizing fermentation parameters.
Challenges for graduate students' mentors during COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Li Honglin , Zhang Dake , Liang Boying , Zhong Lichao , Cao Yue , Shen Jie
Published: August 2021

The outbreak of COVID‐19 pandemic results in the suspension of universities' academic laboratory activities. This brought a difficult time for graduate students majored in molecular biology and their mentors, since the student's thesis progress relies on the data from wet experiments in the lab. Even facing the challenges during the pandemic, mentors could still play an active role. This COVID‐19 crisis requires mentors to have more thinking, innovation, and sharing in guiding graduate students.
Symmetry of bilateral hallux valgus deformity: A radiographic study
Authors: Crooks Sophie A , Lewis Thomas L , Ray Robbie , Gordon David J
Published: August 2021

Hallux valgus (HV) is a common anatomical deformity leading to pain and difficulty with footwear and mobility. Bilateral HV deformity is much more common than unilateral although it remains unclear whether the severity of deformity is equal between feet. The objective was to investigate the severity and symmetry of HV in patients with bilateral symptomatic deformity presenting for surgery. Weight‐bearing radiographs of patients presenting with symptomatic bilateral HV were reviewed. The hallux valgus angle (HVA) and intermetatarsal angle (IMA) were measured and classified as mild, moderate, or severe. Left‐to‐right comparison was undertaken to assess whether the degree of deformity was similar for each foot. The relationship between age, HVA, and IMA was also assessed. Between July 2014 and June 2020, 322 ft (161 patients with bilateral deformity) underwent corrective HV surgery. Of those, 6.8%, 64.6%, and 28.4% were classified as mild, moderate, and severe, respectively on the left side, and on the right 6.2%, 67.7%, and 26.1% were classified as mild, moderate, and severe respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between feet for either IMA (p = 0.06) or HVA (p = 0.85). There was a moderate correlation (R = 0.41,p ≤ 0.001) between HVA and IMA. There was only a ‘weak’ or ‘very weak’ correlation between age and HVA or IMA. Patients presenting for surgery with symptomatic bilateral HV have symmetrical moderate radiographic deformity at the time they present for consideration of surgical intervention.
Three models that predict the efficacy of immunotherapy in Chinese patients with advanced non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Zhao Qian , Li Butuo , Xu Yiyue , Wang Shijiang , Zou Bing , Yu Jinming , Wang Linlin
Published: August 2021

Background

Many tools have been developed to predict the efficacy of immunotherapy, such as lung immune prognostic index (LIPI), EPSILoN [Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS), smoking, liver metastases, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR)], and modified lung immune predictive index (mLIPI) scores. The aim of this study was to determine the ability of three predictive scores to predict the outcomes in Chinese advanced non‐small cell lung cancer (aNSCLC) patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs).

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 429 patients with aNSCLC treated with ICIs at our institution. The predictive ability of these models was evaluated using area under the curve (AUC) in receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis. Calibration was assessed using the Hosmer–Lemeshow test (H–L test) and Spearman's correlation coefficient. Progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) curves were generated using the Kaplan–Meier method.

Results

The AUC values of LIPI, mLIPI, and EPSILoN scores predicting PFS at 6 months were 0.642 [95% confidence interval (CI):0.590–0.694], 0.720 (95% CI: 0.675–0.762), and 0.633 (95% CI: 0.585–0.679), respectively (p < 0.001 for all models). The AUC values of LIPI, mLIPI, and EPSILON scores predicting objective response rate (ORR) were 0.606 (95% CI: 0.546–0.665), 0.683 (95% CI: 0.637–0.727), and 0.666 (95% CI: 0.620–0.711), respectively (p < 0.001 for all models). The C‐indexes of LIPI, mLIPI, and EPSILoN scores for PFS were 0.627 (95% CI 0.611–6.643), 0.677 (95% CI 0.652–0.682), and 0.631 (95% CI 0.617–0.645), respectively.

Conclusions

As mLIPI scores had the highest accuracy when used to predict the outcomes in Chinese aNSCLC patients, this tool could be used to guide clinical immunotherapy decision‐making.
Supercritical Fluid and Ultrasound‐assisted Green Extraction Technologies for Catechin Recovery
Authors: Dutta Sayantani , Priyadarshini S. R. , Moses Jeyan A. , Anandharamakrishnan C.
Published: August 2021

The epimers of catechin include epicatechin, epigallocatechin and epigallocatechin gallate, and others. They are important bioactives that have salutary effects, and hence are valuable. For ascertaining biologically‐safe and green extraction methods that are non‐thermal, this review evaluates the efficiencies of ultrasound assisted extraction (UAE) and supercritical (SC) fluid extraction (with CO2). Standalone SC‐CO2 could be preferred over UAE, given its selectivity (purer product, no co‐extracts) and absence of downstream processing. GRAS solvents as water and ethanol or a hydro‐alcoholic mix are preferable for UAE. However, considering the core competency of ultrasound in disrupting cell organelles, a tandem approach with sequential SC extraction is recommended to justify process economics and ensure quality yield of catechin using green technologies.
Application of Machine Learning in Industrial Boilers: Fault Detection, Diagnosis, and Prognosis
Authors: Meng Yang , Wu Xinyun , Oladejo Jumoke , Dong Xinyue , Zhang Zhiqian , Deng Jie , Yan Yuxin , Zhao Haitao , Lester Edward , Wu Tao , Pang Cheng Heng
Published: August 2021

Enhancement in boiler efficiency via controlled operation could lead to energy savings and reduction in pollutant emission. Activities such as scheduled maintenance could be improved by increasing boiler availability and reducing running costs. However, the time interval between recommended maintenance is varied depending on boilers. The application of fault detection, diagnosis and prognosis (FDDP) in industrial boilers plays an important role in optimizing operation, early‐warning of faults, and identification of root causes. This review discusses the application of machine learning (ML)‐based algorithms (knowledge‐driven and data‐driven) for FDDP, thus allowing the identification of fit‐for‐purpose techniques for specific applications leading to improved efficiency, operability, and safety.