bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Drug Titration Paradox: Correlation of More Drug With Less Effect in Clinical Data
Authors: Schnider Thomas W. , Minto Charles F. , Filipovic Miodrag
Published: January 2021

While analyzing clinical data where an anesthetic was titrated based on an objective measure of drug effect, we observed paradoxically that greater effect was associated with lesser dose. With this study we sought to find a mathematical explanation for this negative correlation between dose and effect, to confirm its existence with additional clinical data, and to explore it further with Monte Carlo simulations. Automatically recorded dosing and effect data from more than 9,000 patients was available for the analysis. The anesthetics propofol and sevoflurane and the catecholamine norepinephrine were titrated to defined effect targets, i.e., the processed electroencephalogram (Bispectral Index, BIS) and the blood pressure. A proportional control titration algorithm was developed for the simulations. We prove by deduction that the average dose–effect relationship during titration to the targeted effect will associate lower doses with greater effects. The finding of negative correlations between propofol and BIS, sevoflurane and BIS, and norepinephrine and mean arterial pressure confirmed the titration paradox. Monte Carlo simulations revealed two additional factors that contribute to the paradox. During stepwise titration toward a target effect, the slope of the dose–effect data for the population will be “reversed,” i.e., the correlation between dose and effect will not be positive, but will be negative, and will be “horizontal” when the titration is “perfect.” The titration paradox must be considered whenever data from clinical titration (flexible dose) studies are interpreted. Such data should not be used naively for the development of dosing guidelines.
Untapped Potential: Therapeutically Targeting Eicosanoids and Endocannabinoids in the Lung
Authors: Yonker Lael M. , Barrios Juliana , Mou Hongmei , Hurley Bryan P.
Published: January 2021

Inflammation of the airway involves the recruitment of highly active immune cells to combat and clear microbes and toxic factors; however, this inflammatory response can result in unintended damage to lung tissue. Tissue damage resulting from inflammation is often mitigated by resolving factors that limit the scope and duration of the inflammatory response. Both inflammatory and resolving processes require the actions of a vast array of lipid mediators that can be rapidly synthesized through a variety of airway resident and infiltrating immune cells. Eicosanoids and endocannabinoids represent two major classes of lipid mediators that share synthetic enzymes and have diverse and overlapping functions. This review seeks to provide a summary of the major bioactive eicosanoids and endocannabinoids, challenges facing researchers that study them, and their roles in modulating inflammation and resolution. With a special emphasis on cystic fibrosis, a variety of therapeutics are discussed that have been explored for their potential anti‐inflammatory or proresolving impact toward alleviating excessive airway inflammation and improving lung function.
PharmVar GeneFocus: CYP2B6
Authors: Desta Zeruesenay , El‐Boraie Ahmed , Gong Li , Somogyi Andrew A , Lauschke Volker M. , Dandara Collet , Klein Kathrin , Miller Neil A. , Klein Teri E. , Tyndale Rachel F. , Whirl‐Carrillo Michelle , Gaedigk Andrea
Published: January 2021

The Pharmacogene Variation Consortium (PharmVar) catalogs star (*) allele nomenclature for the polymorphic human CYP2B6 gene. Genetic variation within the CYP2B6 gene locus impacts the metabolism or bioactivation of clinically important drugs. Of particular importance are efficacy and safety concerns regarding: efavirenz, which is used for the treatment of HIV type‐1 infection; methadone, a mainstay in the treatment of opioid use disorder and as an analgesic; ketamine, used as an antidepressant and analgesic; and bupropion, which is prescribed to treat depression and for smoking cessation. This GeneFocus provides a comprehensive overview and summary of CYP2B6 and describes how haplotype information catalogued by PharmVar is utilized by the Pharmacogenomics Knowledgebase (PharmGKB) and the Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium (CPIC).
An Overview of Glycerol Electrooxidation Mechanisms on Pt, Pd and Au
Authors: Li Tianyu , Harrington David A.
Published: January 2021

In the most recent decade, glycerol electrooxidation (GEOR) has attracted extensive research interest for valorization of glycerol: the conversion of glycerol to value‐added products. These reactions at platinum, palladium, and gold electrodes have a lot of uncertainty in their reaction mechanisms, which has generated some controversies. This review gathers many reported experimental results, observations and proposed reaction mechanisms in order to draw a full picture of GEOR. A particular focus is the clarification of two propositions: Pd is inferior to Pt in cleaving the C−C bonds of glycerol during the electrooxidation and the massive production of CO2 at high overpotentials is due to the oxidation of the already‐oxidized carboxylate products. It is concluded that the inferior C−C bond cleavability with Pd electrodes, as compared with Pt electrodes, is due to the inefficiency of deprotonation, and the massive generation of CO2 as well as other C1/C2 side products is partially caused by the consumption of OH– at the anodes, as a lower pH reduces the amount of carboxylates and favors the C−C bond scission. A reaction mechanism is proposed in this review, in which the generation of side products are directly from glycerol (“competition” between each side product) rather than from the further oxidation of C2/C3 products. Additionally, GEOR results and associated interpretations for Ni electrodes are presented, as well as a brief review on the performances of multi‐metallic electrocatalysts (most of which are nanocatalysts) as an introduction to these future research hotpots.
Designing the next‐generation therapeutic vaccines to cure chronic hepatitis B: focus on antigen presentation, vaccine properties and effect measures
Authors: Jansen Diahann TSL , Dou Yingying , de Wilde Janet W , Woltman Andrea M , Buschow Sonja I
Published: January 2021

In the mid‐90s, hepatitis B virus (HBV)‐directed immune responses were for the first time investigated in detail and revealed suboptimal T‐cell responses in chronic HBV patients. Based on these studies, therapeutic vaccination exploiting the antigen presentation capacity of dendritic cells to prime and/or boost HBV‐specific T‐cell responses was considered highly promising. Now, 25 years later, it has not yet delivered this promise. In this review, we summarise what has been clinically tested in terms of antigen targets and vaccine forms, how the immunological and therapeutic effects of these vaccines were assessed and what major clinical and immunological findings were reported. We combine the lessons learned from these trials with the most recent insights on HBV antigen presentation, T‐cell responses, vaccine composition, antiviral and immune‐modulatory drugs and disease biomarkers to derive novel opportunities for the next generation of therapeutic vaccines designed to cure chronic HBV either alone or in combination therapy.
Hypoxia‐induced FOXO4/LDHA axis modulates gastric cancer cell glycolysis and progression
Authors: Wang Xiao‐Hong , Jiang Zhong‐Hua , Yang Hong‐Mei , Zhang Yu , Xu Li‐Hua
Published: January 2021

Background and aim

We previously identified forkhead box (FOX) O4 mRNA as a predictor in gastric cancer (GC). However, the underlying mechanism has yet to be elucidated. We aimed to illustrate the mechanism by which FOXO4 regulated glycolysis under hypoxia in GC.

Methods

FOXO4 protein expression was investigated by immunohistochemical staining of 252 GC and their normal adjacent tissues. We restored or silenced FOXO4 expression in GC cell lines to explore the underlying mechanisms.

Results

FOXO4 was downregulated in GC. Loss of FOXO4 expression was validated in univariate and multivariate survival analysis as an independent prognostic predictor for overall survival (P < 0.05) and disease‐free survival (P<0.05). Restored FOXO4 expression significantly impaired the glycolysis rate in GC cells, while silencing FOXO4 expression enhanced glycolysis rate. FOXO4 expression was inversely associated with maximum standardized uptake value in mice models and patient samples. Mechanistically, FOXO4 bound to the glycolytic enzyme lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)A promoter and inactivated its activity in a dose‐dependent manner (P < 0.05). Finally, we determined that FOXO4 was a transcriptional target of hypoxia‐inducible factor (HIF) ‐1α, which is central in response to hypoxia.

Conclusions

Our data suggested that FOXO4 plays a key role in the regulation of glycolysis in GC, and disrupting the HIF‐1α‐FOXO4‐LDHA axis might be a promising therapeutic strategy for GC.
Research trends in pharmacological modulation of tumor‐associated macrophages
Authors: Wang Neng , Wang Shengqi , Wang Xuan , Zheng Yifeng , Yang Bowen , Zhang Juping , Pan Bo , Gao Jianli , Wang Zhiyu
Published: January 2021

As one of the most abundant immune cell populations in the tumor microenvironment (TME), tumor‐associated macrophages (TAMs) play important roles in multiple solid malignancies, including breast cancer, prostate cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, gastric cancer, pancreatic cancer, and colorectal cancer. TAMs could contribute to carcinogenesis, neoangiogenesis, immune‐suppressive TME remodeling, cancer chemoresistance, recurrence, and metastasis. Therefore, reprogramming of the immune‐suppressive TAMs by pharmacological approaches has attracted considerable research attention in recent years. In this review, the promising pharmaceutical targets, as well as the existing modulatory strategies of TAMs were summarized. The chemokine–chemokine receptor signaling, tyrosine kinase receptor signaling, metabolic signaling, and exosomal signaling have been highlighted in determining the biological functions of TAMs. Besides, both preclinical research and clinical trials have suggested the chemokine–chemokine receptor blockers, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, bisphosphonates, as well as the exosomal or nanoparticle‐based targeting delivery systems as the promising pharmacological approaches for TAMs deletion or reprogramming. Lastly, the combined therapies of TAMs‐targeting strategies with traditional treatments or immunotherapies as well as the exosome‐like nanovesicles for cancer therapy are prospected.
Blockchain‐based efficient communication for food supply chain industry: Transparency and traceability analysis for sustainable business
Authors: Tayal Akash , Solanki Arun , Kondal Richa , Nayyar Anand , Tanwar Sudeep , Kumar Neeraj
Published: January 2021

In recent years, blockchain (BC) networks have expanded to a broad spectrum of fields. They have garnered significant attention due to their feature of creating secure private and public networks in a decentralized manner. The traditional FSC fails to meet the customer requirements of quality, safety, reliability, transparency, and traceability. This paper proposes a novel 3‐stage methodology using principal component analysis (PCA), total iterative structural modeling (TISM), and Matrice d'Impacts Croisés Multiplication Appliquée à un Classement (MICMAC) analysis to develop an integrated BC with the food supply chain (FSC). The existing literature was surveyed and industry experts' opinion was gathered and various critical success factors (CSF) were identified which are associated with FSC and BC. The data collected from experts were then evaluated for data consistency and dimension reduction through PCA. The dimensionally reduced data set was analyzed by TISM and MICMAC analysis. TISM and MICMAC analysis categorizes the enabler factors according to their hierarchical level and is used to label or distinguish between dependence and driving power. The integrated methodology found nine CSFs, namely, transparent system, fraud detect, inventory management with tracking, scalability, secure system, cost reduction, safe and quality food, customer satisfaction, and government regulations, which are the main drivers for the FSC business. The paper integrates information technology, Blockchain, with operation management, supply chain. The proposed model overcomes the limitation associated with FSC and will motivate the academia and industry to adopt and achieve efficient and effective goals in this field of FSC.
Differences in mother–child and father–child RSA synchrony: Moderation by child self‐regulation and dyadic affect
Authors: Lunkenheimer Erika , Brown Kayla M. , Fuchs Anna
Published: January 2021

Parents and preschoolers show respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) synchrony, but it is unclear how child self‐regulation and the dyadic affective climate shape RSA synchrony and how synchrony differs for mothers and fathers. We examined child average RSA, externalizing problems, and dyadic positive affect as moderators of the synchrony of dynamic, within‐epoch child and parent RSA reactivity during a challenging task. Mothers (N = 82) and fathers (N = 60) oversampled for familial risk participated with their 3‐year‐olds. For mothers, when children showed either higher externalizing or lower average RSA, negative RSA synchrony was observed as dynamic coupling of maternal RSA augmentation and child RSA withdrawal, suggesting inadequate support of the child during challenge. However, when children showed both higher externalizing and lower average RSA, indicating greater regulatory difficulties overall, positive synchrony was observed as joint RSA withdrawal. The same patterns were found for father–child RSA synchrony but instead with respect to the moderators of higher externalizing and lower dyadic positive affect. Findings suggest moderators of RSA synchrony differ by parent and shared positive affect plays a robust role in fathers’ RSA reactivity and synchrony. Mothers may be more attuned to children's regulatory capacities, whereas fathers may be more influenced by the immediate behavioral context.
Childhood socioeconomic status is prospectively associated with surface morphometry in adulthood
Authors: Dufford Alexander J. , Evans Gary W. , Liberzon Israel , Swain James E. , Kim Pilyoung
Published: January 2021

Childhood socioeconomic status (SES) has been associated with brain cortex surface area in children. However, the extent to which childhood SES is prospectively associated with brain morphometry in adulthood is unclear. We tested whether childhood SES (income‐to‐needs ratio averaged across ages 9, 13, and 17) is prospectively associated with cortical surface morphometry in adulthood. Average childhood income‐to‐needs ratio had a positive, prospective association with cortical thickness in adulthood in the precentral gyrus, postcentral gyrus, and caudal middle frontal gyrus (p < .05, FWE corrected). Childhood income‐to‐needs ratio also had a positive, prospective association with cortical surface area in adulthood in multiple regions, including the rostral and caudal middle frontal gyri and superior frontal gyrus (p < .05, FWE corrected). Concurrent income‐to‐needs ratio (measured at age 24) was not associated with cortical thickness or surface area in adulthood. The results underscore the importance of addressing poverty in childhood for brain morphological development.
Satellite data and machine learning reveal the incidence of late frost defoliations on Iberian beech forests
Authors: Olano José Miguel , García‐Cervigón Ana I. , Sangüesa‐Barreda Gabriel , Rozas Vicente , Muñoz‐Garachana Diego , García‐Hidalgo Miguel , García‐Pedrero Ángel
Published: January 2021

Climate warming is driving an advance of leaf unfolding date in temperate deciduous forests, promoting longer growing seasons and higher carbon gains. However, an earlier leaf phenology also increases the risk of late frost defoliation (LFD) events. Compiling the spatiotemporal patterns of defoliations caused by spring frost events is critical to unveil whether the balance between the current advance in leaf unfolding dates and the frequency of LFD occurrence is changing and represents a threaten for the future viability and persistence of deciduous forests. We combined satellite imagery with machine learning techniques to reconstruct the spatiotemporal patterns of LFD events for the 2003–2018 period in the Iberian range of European beech (Fagus sylvatica), at the drier distribution edge of the species. We used MODIS Vegetation Index Products to generate a Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) time series for each 250 × 250 m pixel in a total area of 1,013 km2 (16,218 pixels). A semi‐supervised approach was used to train a machine learning model, in which a binary classifier called Support Vector Machine with Global Alignment Kernel was used to differentiate between late frost and non‐late frost pixels. We verified the obtained estimates with photointerpretation and existing beech tree‐ring chronologies to iteratively improve the model. Then, we used the model output to identify topographical and climatic factors that determined the spatial incidence of LFD. During the study period, LFD was a low recurrence phenomenon that occurred every 15.2 yr on average and showed high spatiotemporal heterogeneity. Most LFD events were condensed in 5 yr and clustered in western forests (86.5% in one‐fifth of the pixels) located at high elevation with lower than average precipitation. Elevation and longitude were the major LFD risk factors, followed by annual precipitation. The synergistic effects of increasing drought intensity and rising temperature combined with more frequent late frost events may determine the future performance and distribution of beech forests. This interaction might be critical at the beech drier range edge, where the concentration of LFD at high elevations could constrain beech altitudinal shifts and/or favor species with higher resistance to late frosts.
Multi‐species occupancy modeling provides novel insights into amphibian metacommunity structure and wetland restoration
Authors: Hamer Andrew J. , Schmera Dénes , Mahony Michael J.
Published: January 2021

A fundamental goal of community ecology is to understand species–habitat relationships and how they shape metacommunity structure. Recent advances in occupancy modeling enable habitat relationships to be assessed for both common and rare species within metacommunities using multi‐species occupancy models (MSOM). These models account for imperfect species detection and offer considerable advantages over other analytical tools commonly used for community analyses under the elements of metacommunity structure (EMS) framework. Here, we demonstrate that MSOM can be used to infer habitat relationships and test metacommunity theory, using amphibians. Repeated frog surveys were undertaken at 55 wetland sites in southeastern Australia. We detected 11 frog species from three families (Limnodynastidae, Myobatrachidae, and Pelodryadidae). The rarest species was detected at only one site whereas the most common species was detected at 42 sites (naive occupancy rate 0.02–0.76). Two models were assessed representing two competing hypotheses; the best‐supported model included the covariates distance to the nearest site (connectivity), wetland area, presence of the non‐native eastern mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki), proportion cover of emergent vegetation, an interaction term between Gambusia and emergent vegetation cover, and the proportion canopy cover over a site. Hydroperiod played no detectable role in metacommunity structure. We found species–habitat relationships that fit with current metacommunity theory: occupancy increased with wetland area and connectivity. There was a strong negative relationship between occupancy and the presence of predatory Gambusia, and a positive interaction between Gambusia and emergent vegetation. The presence of canopy cover strongly increased occupancy for several tree frog species, highlighting the importance of terrestrial habitat for amphibian community structure. We demonstrated how responses by amphibians to environmental covariates at the species level can be linked to occupancy patterns at the metacommunity scale. Our results have clear management implications: wetland restoration projects for amphibians and likely other taxa should maximize wetland area and connectivity, establish partial canopy cover, and eradicate Gambusia or provide aquatic vegetation to mitigate the impact of this non‐native fish. We strongly advocate the use of MSOM to elucidate the habitat drivers behind animal occupancy patterns and to derive unbiased occupancy estimates for monitoring programs.
Interference competition between wolves and coyotes during variable prey abundance
Authors: Petroelje Tyler R. , Kautz Todd M. , Beyer Dean E. , Belant Jerrold L.
Published: January 2021

Interference competition occurs when two species have similar resource requirements and one species is dominant and can suppress or exclude the subordinate species. Wolves (Canis lupus) and coyotes (C. latrans) are sympatric across much of their range in North America where white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) can be an important prey species. We assessed the extent of niche overlap between wolves and coyotes using activity, diet, and space use as evidence for interference competition during three periods related to the availability of white‐tailed deer fawns in the Upper Great Lakes region of the USA. We assessed activity overlap (Δ) with data from accelerometers onboard global positioning system (GPS) collars worn by wolves (n = 11) and coyotes (n = 13). We analyzed wolf and coyote scat to estimate dietary breadth (B) and food niche overlap (α). We used resource utilization functions (RUFs) with canid GPS location data, white‐tailed deer RUFs, ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) and snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus) densities, and landscape covariates to compare population‐level space use. Wolves and coyotes exhibited considerable overlap in activity (Δ = 0.86–0.92), diet (B = 3.1–4.9; α = 0.76–1.0), and space use of active and inactive RUFs across time periods. Coyotes relied less on deer as prey compared to wolves and consumed greater amounts of smaller prey items. Coyotes exhibited greater population‐level variation in space use compared to wolves. Additionally, while active and inactive, coyotes exhibited greater selection of some land covers as compared to wolves. Our findings lend support for interference competition between wolves and coyotes with significant overlap across resource attributes examined. The mechanisms through which wolves and coyotes coexist appear to be driven largely by how coyotes, a generalist species, exploit narrow differences in resource availability and display greater population‐level plasticity in resource use.
Solvent Effect on the Spin State of an Iron(II)‐Triazole Trimer
Authors: Sánchez‐Molina Irene , Moneo‐Corcuera Andrea , Nieto‐Castro David , Benet‐Buchholz Jordi , Galán‐Mascarós José Ramón
Published: January 2021

We report a triazole‐based trinuclear iron(II) compound with bridging 4‐(p‐methylphenyl)‐1,2,4‐triazole ligands with solvatochromic spin crossover (SC) behavior. The magnetic properties of this trimer depend on crystallization solvent molecules. Pink crystals (color suggesting low spin state), showing a triclinic structure can be obtained by slow diffusion of diethyl ether in acetonitrile solution. As in other SC materials, immersion of these crystals in different solvents promote color change. In this case, we have been able to define the microscopic effect of the solvent substitution following the single crystal to single crystal transformation by UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction. Furthermore, the solvent‐induced switching can be explained by weak intermolecular interactions provoking a variation in the relative orientations of the two aromatic rings in the ligands, which, in turn, determines the ligand field on the central Fe(II), and its SCO behavior. This study brings important details to the origin of solvatochromism in SCO materials, offering alternatives for better control of this switching and, potentially, for their application as colorimetric sensors.
Synthesis, Structure, and Oxidative Reactivity of a Class of Thiolate‐Bridged Dichromium Complexes Featuring Antiferromagnetic Coupling Interactions
Authors: Wei Nianmin , Yang Dawei , Zhang Yixin , Wang Baomin , Qu Jingping
Published: January 2021

Several thiolate‐bridged dichromium complexes with Cp* (Cp*=η5‐C5Me5) as auxiliary ligands were designed and synthesized through the salt metathesis, which all contain two six‐coordinate chromium centers in the formal valence of +3. These complexes are all paramagnetic species, which are in good agreement with the experimental results that broad and paramagnetically shifted proton resonances appear in the 1H NMR spectra. Furthermore, variable‐temperature solid‐state magnetic susceptibility studies reveal the two chromium centers of these complexes are both in an S=3/2 high‐spin state with a strong antiferromagnetic coupling. Simulated values of antiferromagnetic coupling constant for these complexes are directly related to the distances of the two CrIII centers confirmed by X‐ray crystallography. In addition, in the presence of dehalogenation agent AgPF6, complexes [Cp*CrCl(μ‐SR)2CrClCp*] (3, R=Et; 4, R=iPr) and [Cp*Cr(μ‐Cl)(μ‐SEt)2CrCp*][BPh4] (5) containing easily removable chloride can achieve the catalytic oxidation of organic substrates, such as PPh3, 1,4‐cyclohexadiene and 1,2‐diphenylhydrazine under an oxygen atmosphere.
A μ4‐Oxo Bridged Tetranuclear Zinc Complex as an Efficient Multitask Catalyst for CO2 Conversion
Authors: Kumar Raman , Sahoo Subash C. , Nanda Prasant K.
Published: January 2021

A tetranuclear zinc complex having formula [Zn4(L)4(μ2‐OH2)2(μ4‐O)]⋅2TEAH⋅DMF⋅4H2O (1) has been synthesized from a benzothiazole based schiff base ligand. The complex was characterized by various spectroscopic and analytical techniques along with single crystal X‐ray diffraction (SCXRD) study. The crystal structure of the complex reveals that, there is formation of a tetranuclear dianionic core having metal centers in distorted trigonal bipyramidal (TBP) geometry supported by a μ4‐oxo and two μ2‐aqua bridgings. The μ4‐oxo acquires a special position, connecting to the zinc centers in a distorted tetrahedral (Td) fashion is mainly responsible for the higher nuclearity of the complex. The complex 1 exhibited multitask catalytic ability for CO2 utilization. It acts as an efficient catalyst for the conversion of various epoxides to cyclic carbonates as well as mimics carbonic anhydrase (CA) metalloenzyme. Hydrolysis of para‐nitrophenyl acetate (p‐NPA) was used as a model reaction to evaluate the CA activity. The complex also catalyzes the formation of bicarbonate (HCO3−) from CO2 by converting CaCl2 to CaCO3.
Synthesis of 1,3‐Diynes Using Calcium Carbide as an Alkyne Source
Authors: Liu Zhenrong , Li Zheng
Published: January 2021

A simple method for the synthesis of 1,3‐diynes from iodoarenes using calcium carbide as an alkyne source and air as an oxidant is described. A series of 1,4‐diarylbuta‐1,3‐diynes were efficiently synthesized by this strategy. The salient features of this protocol are the use of inexpensive and easy‐to‐handle alkyne source, broad substrate scope, open‐air condition, and simple operation procedure.
Cp*Rh(III)‐Catalyzed C8 C−H Alkylation of Quinoline N‐Oxides with Diazo Meldrum's Acid
Authors: Huestis Malcolm P. , Leclerc Jean‐Philippe , Larouche‐Gauthier Robin , Aubert‐Nicol Samuel , Yadav Arun , Sivamuthuraman Koilpitchai
Published: January 2021

A rhodium(III)‐catalyzed, site‐selective, C−H alkylation of quinoline N‐oxides at C8 using bench‐stable and commercially available diazo Meldrum's acid is reported. This straightforward protocol employs a widely available catalyst and enables the synthesis of a variety of 8‐quinolinylacetic acid esters on gram scale without necessitating the preparation and use of an excess of air‐sensitive organometallic reagents.
Precise electroosmotic flow measurements on paper substrates
Authors: Franck Nicolás , Schaumburg Federico , Kler Pablo A. , Urteaga Raúl
Published: January 2021

A novel method for electroosmotic flow (EOF) measurement on paper substrates is presented; it is based on dynamic mass measurements by simply using an analytical balance. This technique provides a more reliable alternative to other EOF measurement methods on porous media. The proposed method is used to increase the amount and quality of the available information about physical parameters that characterize fluid flow on microfluidic paper–based analytical devices (μPADs). Measurements were performed on some of the most frequently used materials for μPADs, i.e., Whatman #1 , S&S, and Muntktell 00A filter paper. Obtained experimental results are consistent with the few previously reported data, either experimental or numerical, characterizing EOF in paper substrates. Moreover, a thorough analysis is presented for the quantification of the different effects that affect the measurements such as Joule effect and evaporation. Experimental results enabled, for the first time, to establish well‐defined electroosmotic characteristics for the three substrates in terms of the magnitude of EOF as funtion of pH, enabling researchers to make a rational choice of the substrate depending on the electrophoretic technique to be implemented. The measurement method can be described as robust, reliable, and affordable enough for being adopted by researchers and companies devoted to electrophoretic μPADs and related technologies.
Simulation of similar materials for dust migration in an intermediate mine heap
Authors: Huang Zhian , Zhao Xinhui , Yang Zhijun , Zhang Jun , Gao Yukun , Shao Zhenlu , Zhang Yinghua , Chen Mingli
Published: January 2021

The similar material research method was adopted in this research to study the generation and migration law of dust in the process of discharge. The study result shows that the relation between the dust concentration and discharge rate in the unloading area is c = 6.622(Mpr)0.37348 for real conditions derived from similar materials experiment, which can be verified mutually with the numerical simulation result. When the natural air flow in real conditions increased to 1.89 m/s, the dust concentration reached the maximum value, and then, the dust diffusion rate accelerated and the dust concentration decreased. The smaller the ore particle size, the larger the area of interaction with the air, and the larger the dust concentration. An increase of the ore moisture content can reduce the dust concentration and keep the dust concentration at a low level. Additionally, the moisture content of the ore powder without hardening was 4.17–8%. As the height of the intermediate mine heap increased, the dust produced by both falling and impact decreased, and the dust concentration decreased. The dust removal effect of installing the seal cover was verified. The research results can provide a reference for dust control of an intermediate mine heap.
Variability of near‐fault seismic risk to reinforced concrete buildings based on high‐resolution physics‐based ground motion simulations
Authors: Kenawy Maha , McCallen David , Pitarka Arben
Published: January 2021

Broadband physics‐based simulated earthquake ground motions are utilized to characterize the regional‐scale seismic risk to modern reinforced concrete (RC) structures. A highly dense dataset of ground motions covering a 100‐km 40‐km domain was generated using kinematic fault rupture models with varying rupture characteristics to represent shallow crustal earthquakes and resolved up to frequencies of 5 Hz. Over 40,000 nonlinear response history simulations of short‐ and mid‐rise RC special moment frame buildings were conducted using simulation models that are capable of representing nonlinear behavior and component deterioration effects. The spatial variability of structural risk within a single earthquake scenario and between different rupture scenarios is examined, and the regions of strongest directivity effects and highest structural demands are identified. The structural demands may vary by factor of up to 8.0 at very short distances from the fault, and the large dispersion in the demands decreases significantly beyond a distance of 15 km. The interstory drift and member rotation demands are substantially impacted by important features of the geological structure and the characteristics of the rupture scenarios, particularly the presence of localized high‐slip regions. The frequency characteristics of the structures are found to play an important role in determining the effects of near‐fault ground motions on the structural response and expected damage. The results of this study suggest that the simulated ground motions, particularly those generated using the hybrid rupture approach, may offer reasonable structural risk estimates for low‐frequency structures and conservative estimates for high‐frequency structures.
Localization in mobile wireless sensor networks using drones
Authors: Kaushik Abhinesh , Lobiyal D. K.
Published: January 2021

Localization is one of the most important aspects of wireless sensor networks. Most of the localization algorithms proposed in the literature, work for static networks. However, the performance of these protocols in the mobile environment still needs to be investigated. Localization in a mobile environment may pose challenges of accuracy and computational complexity due to mobility of the nodes. In this article, we have proposed an algorithm for localization in mobile wireless sensor networks using drones (LMWSND). A drone‐based algorithm is proposed to simulate the moving trajectory of the drones. The proposed drone‐based algorithm uses the technique of received signal strength between the drone and unknown sensor nodes to find the distance between them. The distance thus obtained is used for localization of the unknown nodes. A new method is used to solve the system of distance equations to restrict the propagation of error. Furthermore, the mathematical analysis of the propagation error in LMWSND proves the superiority of our proposed algorithm in comparison to other algorithms. The results obtained through simulations further strengthen our conclusion that the proposed algorithm reduces the propagation of error. We have also proposed another algorithm to choose the nearby beacon points for better utilization of the network resources and to reduce the computational efforts.
A meshfree Lagrangian method for flow on manifolds
Authors: Suchde Pratik
Published: January 2021

In this article, we present a novel meshfree framework for fluid flow simulations on arbitrarily curved surfaces. First, we introduce a new meshfree Lagrangian framework to model flow on surfaces. Meshfree points or particles, which are used to discretize the domain, move in a Lagrangian sense along the given surface. This is done without discretizing the bulk around the surface, without parametrizing the surface, and without a background mesh. A key novelty that is introduced is the handling of flow with evolving free boundaries on a curved surface. The use of this framework to model flow on moving and deforming surfaces is also introduced. Then, we present the application of this framework to solve fluid flow problems defined on surfaces numerically. In combination with a meshfree generalized finite difference method (GFDM), we introduce a strong form meshfree collocation scheme to solve the Navier–Stokes equations posed on manifolds. Benchmark examples are proposed to validate the Lagrangian framework and the surface Navier–Stokes equations with the presence of free boundaries.
Profiling beneficial phytochemicals in a potato somatic hybrid for tuber peels processing: phenolic acids and anthocyanins composition
Authors: Ben Jeddou Khawla , Kammoun Mariem , Hellström Jarkko , Gutiérrez‐Quequezana Liz , Rokka Veli‐Matti , Gargouri‐Bouzid Radhia , Ellouze‐Chaabouni Semia , Nouri‐Ellouz Oumèma
Published: January 2021

The purpose of this study was to characterize the peels of a CN1 somatic hybrid obtained from two dihaploid potato lines (Cardinal H14 and Nicola H1) in terms of the health‐promoting phenolic compounds (phenolic acids and anthocyanins). The CN1 hybrid is defined by a pink tuber skin color making it different from the light‐yellow‐skinned “Spunta,” which is the most commonly grown potato cultivar in Tunisia. Oven‐dried peel samples derived from CN1 hybrid and cv. Spunta were ground, and phenolic compounds were extracted with water or methanol for quantification. Lyophilized peels were used for the phenolic acid and anthocyanin analyses. Higher total quantities of phenolic compounds were recovered in methanol extracts compared with water extracts. A slightly higher concentration of phenolic acids (100 mg/100 g DW) was obtained in the lyophilized peels extract of CN1 hybrid than in the cv. Spunta corresponding sample (83 mg/100 g DW). The profiles of the chlorogenic acid isomers were almost identical in both of CN1 hybrid and cv. Spunta. Caffeic acid (CA) and three caffeoylquinic acids (CQAs): 3‐CQA, 4‐CQA, and 5‐CQA, were identified from both genotypes, 5‐CQA being the dominant form in both potatoes. Since the CN1 hybrid has a pink skin color, its anthocyanin profile was also determined. The anthocyanin quantity in the CN1 peels was 5.07 mg/100 g DW, involving six different anthocyanins that were identified within the extract, namely, Pelargonidin‐3‐rutinoside‐5‐glucoside, peonidin‐3‐rutinoside‐5‐glucoside, coumaroyl ester of pelargonidin‐3‐rutinoside‐5‐glucoside, coumaroyl ester of peonidin‐3‐rutinoside‐5‐glucoside, feruloyl ester of pelargonidin‐3‐rutinoside‐5‐glucoside, and feruloyl ester of peonidin‐3‐rutinoside‐5‐glucoside. These results suggest that the peel waste of CN1 somatic hybrid can be considered as a promising source of high‐value compounds for food industry.
2021 NAESB Annual Standards Development Forecast
Authors: Mallett Elizabeth
Published: January 2021

This year, hundreds of natural gas and electric entities anticipate working through the North American Energy Standards Board (NAESB) process to standardize the use of business protocols and advanced technologies that will benefit their industries. These business practice standards include ones to enhance cybersecurity protocols, form a basis for responding to orders from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), facilitate the use of blockchain in communication and accounting processes, and establish a Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) Master Agreement. This article will provide an overview of NAESB as well as a brief look at the goals of the natural gas and electricity industries in 2021, as detailed in the NAESB 2021 annual plans.
Top Ten Resolutions for the Nation's Utilities in 2021
Authors: Price Jason
Published: January 2021

There is an old adage, “the more things change, the more they stay the same.” This couldn't be truer as the utility industry looks to the near‐ and long‐term future. On the one hand, it is fairly predictable what the utility industry will look like in 2021—much as it does today. On the other hand, given the continued pandemic, change in administration in Washington, various state and regulatory mandates, and profound technological changes confronting the industry, so much can change. The one constant will be the need to continue to reliably deliver service to customers.
On the functional role of striatal and anterior cingulateGABA+ in stimulus‐response binding
Authors: Takacs Adam , Stock Ann‐Kathrin , Kuntke Paul , Werner Annett , Beste Christian
Published: January 2021

Successful response selection relies on constantly updating stimulus–response associations. The Theory of Event Coding (TEC) proposes that perception and action are conjointly coded in event files, for which fronto‐striatal networks seem to play an important role. However, the exact neurobiochemical mechanism behind event file coding has remained unknown. We investigated the functional relevance of the striatal and anterior cingulate (ACC) GABAergic system using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). Specifically, the striatal and ACC concentrations of GABA+ referenced against N‐acetylaspartate (NAA) were assessed in 35 young healthy males, who subsequently performed a standard event file task. As predicted by the TEC, the participants' responses were modulated by pre‐established stimulus response bindings in event files. GABA+/NAA concentrations in the striatum and ACC were not correlated with the overall event binding effect. However, higher GABA+/NAA concentrations in the ACC were correlated with stronger event file binding processes in the early phase of the task. This association disappeared by the end of the task. Taken together, our findings show that striatal GABA+ levels does not seem to modulate event file binding, while ACC GABA+ seem to improve event file binding, but only as long as the participants have not yet gathered sufficient task experience. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study providing direct evidence for the role of striatal and ACC GABA+ in stimulus–response bindings and thus insights into the brain structure‐specific neurobiological aspects of the TEC.
The Use of Rifaximin in Patients With Cirrhosis
Authors: Caraceni Paolo , Vargas Victor , Solà Elsa , Alessandria Carlo , de Wit Koos , Trebicka Jonel , Angeli Paolo , Mookerjee Rajeshwar P. , Durand François , Pose Elisa , Krag Aleksander , Bajaj Jasmohan S. , Beuers Ulrich , Ginès Pere ,   for the Liverhope Consortium
Published: January 2021

Rifaximin is an oral nonsystemic antibiotic with minimal gastrointestinal absorption and broad‐spectrum antibacterial activity covering both gram‐positive and gram‐negative organisms. Rifaximin is currently used worldwide in patients with cirrhosis for preventing recurrent HE because its efficacy and safety have been proven by large randomized clinical trials. In the last decade, experimental and clinical evidence suggest that rifaximin could have other beneficial effects on the course of cirrhosis by modulating the gut microbiome and affecting the gut‐liver axis, which in turn can interfere with major events of the pathophysiological cascade underlying decompensated cirrhosis, such as systemic inflammatory syndrome, portal hypertension, and bacterial infections. However, the use of rifaximin for prevention or treatment of other complications, including spontaneous bacterial peritonitis or other bacterial infections, is not accepted because evidence by clinical trials is still very weak. The present review deals in the first part with the potential impact of rifaximin on pathogenic mechanisms in liver diseases, whereas in the second part, its clinical effects are critically discussed. It clearly emerges that, because of its potential activity on multiple pathogenic events, the efficacy of rifaximin in the prevention or management of complications other than HE deserves to be investigated extensively. The results of double‐blinded, adequately powered randomized clinical trials assessing the effect of rifaximin, alone or in combination with other drugs, on hard clinical endpoints, such as decompensation of cirrhosis, acute‐on‐chronic liver failure, and mortality, are therefore eagerly awaited.
Endoscopic Cyanoacrylate Injection Versus Balloon‐Occluded Retrograde Transvenous Obliteration for Prevention of Gastric Variceal Bleeding: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Luo Xuefeng , Xiang Tong , Wu Junchao , Wang Xiaoze , Zhu Yongjun , Xi Xiaotan , Yan Yuling , Yang Jinlin , García‐Pagán Juan Carlos , Yang Li
Published: January 2021

Background and Aims

The optimal treatment for gastric varices (GVs) is a topic that remains open for study. This study compared the efficacy and safety of endoscopic cyanoacrylate injection and balloon‐occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (BRTO) to prevent rebleeding in patients with cirrhosis and GVs after primary hemostasis.

Approach and Results

Patients with cirrhosis and history of bleeding from gastroesophageal varices type 2 or isolated gastric varices type 1 were randomized to cyanoacrylate injection (n = 32) or BRTO treatment (n = 32). Primary outcomes were gastric variceal rebleeding or all‐cause rebleeding. Patient characteristics were well balanced between two groups. Mean follow‐up time was 27.1 ± 12.0 months in a cyanoacrylate injection group and 27.6 ± 14.3 months in a BRTO group. Probability of gastric variceal rebleeding was higher in the cyanoacrylate injection group than in the BRTO group (P = 0.024). Probability of remaining free of all‐cause rebleeding at 1 and 2 years for cyanoacrylate injection versus BRTO was 77% versus 96.3% and 65.2% versus 92.6% (P = 0.004). Survival rates, frequency of complications, and worsening of esophageal varices were similar in both groups. BRTO resulted in fewer hospitalizations, inpatient stays, and lower medical costs.

Conclusions

BRTO is more effective than cyanoacrylate injection in preventing rebleeding from GVs, with similar frequencies of complications and mortalities.
Hybrid nanofluid flow over a stretched cylinder with the impact of homogeneous–heterogeneous reactions and Cattaneo–Christov heat flux: Series solution and numerical simulation
Authors: John Christopher Anthonysamy , Magesh Nanjundan , Punith Gowda Ramanahalli Jayadevamurthy , Naveen Kumar Rangaswamy , Varun Kumar Ravikumar Shashikala
Published: January 2021

The Catteno–Christov heat flux plays a dynamic role in flow of heat enhancement in various manufacturing, industrial, and engineering applications. This present work focuses on the influence of Catteno–Christov heat flux model on Darcy–Forchheimer flow of a hybrid nanofluid placed in a porous medium. The formulation of the mathematical model is done by considering a fluid with two different nanoparticles Al2O3 and Cu dispersed in the water as the base fluid. The set of partial differntial equations is reduced by using similarity variables and boundary conditions to obtain ordinary differntial equations. The coupled nonlinear governing differential equations are solved using Runge–Kutta fourth–fifth order (RKF‐45). The impact of numerous dimensionless parameters on the velocity, thermal, and concentration profiles are plotted and studied. Furthermore, the coefficient of skin friction for the relevant parameters are analysed through graphs. Result reveals that, increase in the porosity parameter declines the velocity gradient and shoots up the thermal and concentration gradients. Inclination in magnetic parameter declines velocity and concentration profiles due to the Lorentz force. Enhancement in the thermal relaxation parameter declines the thermal profile. Inclination in homogeneous‐heterogeneous reaction parameters declines the mass transfer rate. Also, the well‐known differential transform method is used for the validity of RKF‐45 method and an impressive agreement is noticed between the results of RKF‐45 and DTM.