bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of the MIS Units in SUCs Samar-Leyte Islands through Management Functions: Administrators and MIS Personnel Perspective
Authors: Jr. Jose P. Ching , Patimo Donald M.
Published: February 2021

This paper aims to measure and determine the effectiveness of the MIS units in SUCs Samar-Leyte Islands through planning, organizing, leading, and controlling as perceived by the administrators and MIS personnel.  Management functions identify and prepare the future activities to enhance the MIS units, determine the ICT resources, create a consultation, and communicate with other offices/units. This aspect brings advantages and benefits to the institution that capture the defined management objective. Benefits management identifies goals and benefits by combining organizational changes and investments in IS/IT, and also by showing the way to achieve them [1]. 

As a measure to sustain the effectiveness and importance of the management operation of the MIS unit, this determines the stability, identifies the expansion of services, recognized common standard policies and procedures, improvements, and development in every office in the organization.  The process uses a descriptive survey, involves collecting information through data review, surveys questionnaires, and interviews. The findings and analysis of the operational status of the MIS unit as perceived through the management functions (planning, organizing, leading, and controlling). The performance level of satisfaction and effectiveness of the MIS units in terms of management functions were considered by the respondents as very satisfactory, thus proving the effective performance of the MIS operation.  This means that the management functions had facilitated collaboratively integrated policies and procedures to properly address the processes of the MIS operations.
Application of Guano Fertilizer and Types of Mulch on Growth and Yield of Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)
Authors: Wahyuni Adinda , Herawati Netti , Warnita Warnita
Published: February 2021

Aims: The purpose of this study was to obtain the best interaction between guano doses and mulch on the growth and yield of potato plants.

Study Design: The experimental design used was factorial 2 factors in a completely randomized design (CRD).

Place and Duration of Study: This experiment was carried out in Alahan Panjang, Lembah Gumanti District, Solok Regency, West Sumatra from March to June 2018.

Methodology: Factorial design 2 factors was use in research. The first factor consisted of 4 levels of guano fertilizer doses of 0, 3, 6 and 9 t ha-1. The second factor consisted of black silver plastic mulch and black plastic mulch. Data were analyzed statistically with the Fisher test and if significantly different then continued with the Duncan’s New Multiple Range test (p≤0.05)

Results: No interaction between guano fertilizer and the two types of mulch tested with

respect to plant height, number of leaves, and smallest tuber diameter were observed. Guano fertilizer at 9 t ha-1 gave the best influence on the number of tubers and the diameter of tuber. Black plastic mulch had the best influence on the number of tubers, the diameter of tuber, the weight of tubers per plant and the weight of tubers per hectare.

Conclusion: The dosage of guano fertilizer of 9 t ha-1gave the best effect on the number and diameter of tubers. The type of black plastic mulch gave the best effect on tuber number, tuber diameter, tuber weight per plant and tuber weight per hectare.
Factors Affecting Bhutanese Secondary School Students’ Ability in Solving Mathematical Word Problems: A Case Study
Authors: Wangmo Phuntsho
Published: February 2021

Mathematical word problems are part of the school curriculum and are taught at all levels of education in Bhutan. However, it poses difficulties for many students because of the complexity of the solution process. There are various factors that affect students’ ability to solve mathematical word problems. Hence, this study was conducted to investigate the factors affecting Bhutanese secondary school students' ability to solve mathematical word problems. This study employed a qualitative case study approach. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews, classroom observations, and document analysis. Four mathematics teachers and four students were selected as participants based on purposive sampling. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings revealed that factors such as language proficiency, reading skills, and contextual understanding affect students' ability in solving mathematical word problems. Moreover, the language proficiency of students, as well as teachers, was the most important factor for solving mathematical word problems. The study recommends the Ministry of Education places more importance on reading activities across schools in Bhutan to enhance language proficiency.
Dust Accumulation, Heavy Metal Content and Stomata Morphology of Some Medicinal Plants at Rock Quarrying Locations at Lokpaukwu, Nigeria
Authors: Ogbonna C. E. , Nwafor F. I. , Ogbonnaya O. O.
Published: February 2021

Aims: This study evaluated the effect of rock quarrying on dust accumulation, heavy metal content and stomata features of some medicinal plants at Lokpaukwu, Nigeria.

Place and Duration of Study: Sample collection was carried out at the quarry sites in Lokpaukwu, followed by laboratory analyses which were conducted in the Department of Pharmacognosy and Environmental Medicines and Centre for Energy Research and Development (CERD), University of Nigeria, Nsukka between January and March, 2019.

Methodology: Five (5) commonly used medicinal plants were selected and collected from the two pollution sites (A and B). Same species collected 20 km away from the sites served as control. Clearing method was employed in foliar micro-analysis while heavy metal accumulation in the samples was estimated by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS).

Results: The study showed considerable variation in dust load among the plants from each study site. This led to some observed physiological anomalies– occlusion of stomata pores, plasmolysis, and shrunk epidermal cells. Quantitative stomata parameters were also affected as plants from polluted sites had narrower pores and more number of stomata than the control. Concentrations of heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Cd, As and Cu) in plants collected from dust polluted sites were also higher than those from the control location. For example, lead and cadmium concentration in most of the plants were in this order: site A > site B > site C.

Conclusion: These findings have further validated reports of earlier researchers on the deleterious effects of dust pollution as a result of quarrying activities on plant health. Strict compliance to precautionary and mitigation measures by both the inhabitants and quarry companies are recommended for safer environment and good health.
Impacts of Climate Factors Influencing Rice Production in Bangladesh
Authors: Akter Mahmuda , Sarker Md. Mizanur Rahman
Published: February 2021

This study aims to study the climate change pattern, assess the situation of climate change, finding the influences of climate change on the production of rice, estimating a model between climate change and rice production in Bangladesh. Ordinary Least Squares (OLS), Generalized Least Squares (GLS), Feasible Generalized Least Squares (FGLS) were used in this study to compare the results. This study included all 64 districts of Bangladesh with a time span from 2011 to 2018. It included panel data of the production of Aus rice, Aman rice, Boro rice as well as HYV of each rice (Aus, Aman, Boro) of 64 districts of Bangladesh for agricultural data, temperature, rainfall and humidity of 64 districts for climate data. This study estimates the stochastic production function formulated by Just and Pope (1978, 1979), which allows the effect of inputs on the mean yield to differ from that on yield variance. The results showed that increased climate variability, climate extremes; in particular, exacerbate risk on Rice production in Bangladesh. Rice yields are sensitive to rainfall extremes, with both deficient and surplus rainfall increasing variability. For 1% increase in annual total rainfall, Mean Yield will decrease by 0.139%, 0.141%, 0.132% in OLS, GLS and FGLS method respectively, if other variables remaining the same. For 1% increase in annual average percentage of humidity, Mean Yield increases by 1.352%, 1.340%, 1.362% in OLS, GLS and FGLS method respectively, if other variables remaining the same. for 1% increase in HYV area, Mean Yield increases by 0.831% in OLS, GLS and FGLS method, if other variables remaining the same. Additionally, climate inputs, non-climate input, high yielding variety seeds are found to increase average yield.
Diseases of Burnout during the Pandemic of the New Corona Virus in Intensive Care Physicians and Its Impact on Serving the Population: A Descriptive Bibliographic Review
Authors: Nascimento Alaís Brito , Rodrigues Brenda Marques , Quaresma Emanuelle Negrão , Sousa Daniele Salgado de , Silva Rebeson Moraes da
Published: February 2021

The mental health issue during the COVID-19 pandemic must consider different populations: doctors / health professionals; general population and patients with mental disorders. When analyzing the stress-generating environment, such as intensive care units and emergencies, one must keep in mind the great demand for work and overload of professionals who are in this current pandemic scenario. Thus, this study aims to review the literature on the problems arising from the Burnout Syndrome in intensive care physicians during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study constitutes a descriptive bibliographic review on information about the main mental health complications of intensive care physicians directly involved in coping with the COVID-19 pandemic. The searches were performed in bibliographic databases Medline, Embase, Pubmed and Central, after the re-reading of each article, the data of interest were extracted and analyzed in a descriptive way for the composition of this work. Among the factors that modify the working environment of intensive care physicians working in the front line to combat COVID-19, are: limited hospital resources, threat of exposure to the virus as an additional occupational risk, longer shifts, disturbed sleep patterns, subsequent high dilemmas regarding duties with the patient versus fear of exposure to family members, increased workload, increased physical and mental fatigue, stress, anxiety and physical exhaustion. That said, measures must be taken to support intensive care groups in this phase of global public health. The measures include psychological counseling, organization of the workday, provision of personal protective equipment and training on safety measures. The present review showed evidence of how accentuated the cases of burnout and other emotional manifestations related to work stress worsened with the pandemic of COVID-19. Such emotional conditions have a negative impact on the care of patients undergoing intensive care units, as work stress causes illness, low motivation, unproductiveness and less self-confidence in their own work skills.
Prescribing Trends of Medications Ophthalmological Outpatient Department in a Public Hospital in Alkharj
Authors: Ahmed Nehad J.
Published: February 2021

Aim: The present study was undertaken to describe the prescribing pattern of medications in the ophthalmology department in a public hospital in Alkharj.

Methodology: This is a cross sectional study included collecting data from outpatient pharmacy prescriptions in a public hospital in Alkharj. All of the outpatients who received prescriptions from the ophthalmology department between the beginning of July till the end of December 2018 were included in the study.

Results: During the study period, 324 patients received outpatient prescriptions that were written by ophthalmology department. Artificial tears eye drops were the most commonly prescribed drug (29.32%) followed by olopatadine (12.96%), fusidic acid (11.42%) and fluorometholone (10.19%). Most of the prescribers who wrote the prescriptions were residents (98.15%). Eye drop was the most commonly prescribed dosage form (73.77%) followed by ointment (18.21%).

Conclusion: The present study showed that the most commonly prescribed drugs in outpatient ophthalmology department were artificial tears, olopatadine, fusidic acid and fluorometholone. It is also important to increase the awareness of healthcare providers and patients about the appropriate use of these drugs.
Stability Indicating Analytical Method Development and Validation for the Estimation of Rimegepant in Bulk and Its Tablets Using Rp-HPLC
Authors: Kumar H. M. Sudheer , Chandrasekhar Kothapalli Bannoth
Published: February 2021

Aim: Ramegepant is a novel molecule belongs to the class of calcitonin gene – related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonist, which was developed for the prevention and treatment of migraine. Ramegepant was reported to act at the CGRP receptor with good oral bioavailability. The objective of this study was to develop a simple and fast stability indicating method for the determination of Ramegepant in bulk and tablets.

Methodology: Ramegepant was eluted on a Waters C18 Column with 250 mm × 4.6 mm i.d and 5 μm Particle size with a mobile phase of Potassium dihydrogen orthophosphate buffer pH 7.0 : Methanol 30:70 v/v in isocratic mode at a flow rate of 0.8 ml/min. The analyte was quantified using a 272 nm PDA detector.

Results: The chromatograms of Ramegepant obtained with this method showed a well resolved retention time at 3.29 min of its excipients and degradation products. The area of ​​the peak with respect to the concentration calibration curves, which were linear from 70 to 210 µg / ml, had a regression coefficient (r2) greater than 0.999. Accuracy and precision have been determined and perfectly matched to the ICH standards.

Conclusion: The study showed that the proposed Rp-HPLC method was simple, fast, robust and reproducible, which can be used for the evaluation of the purity and stability of the drug without interference from excipients or decomposition products of active pharmaceutical ingredients.
Development of a Solid - Phase System for the Extraction of Diazinon from Water
Authors: Nanev J. D. , Sha’Ato R. , Igoli J. O.
Published: February 2021

A selected sorbent granulated activated charcoal solid - phase extraction was developed and used to extract diazinon from distilled water (TDW), distilled deionized water (DDW) and stream water (DW) was studied in the laboratory. Prior to the extraction, the half-live of the diazinon was determined in buffer solutions of pH 6, 7 and 8. The study showed that the half-lives were found to be 0.074, 0.022 and 0.077 hours respectively. Aqueous solution of diazinon was extracted in triplicate from distilled water, deionized distilled water and stream water using SPE systems. The extracted analyte was analysed by uv-visible spectrophotometer. The mean percentage recovery from distilled water, deionized distilled water and stream water using SPE 88.58%, 78.74% ad was 67.85% respectively while diazinon recovery using Liquid-liquid Extraction techniques gave a mean percent recovery of  96.60%, 93.80% and 75.54% for DW, DDW ad SW respectively. The mean percent analyte loss for SPE systems was 32.79%. The value was approximately twice higher than those obtained from LLE techniques with a value of 14.16%. The mean percentage recovery and analyte loss for SPE and LLE were compared. Similarly, the second order rate constant of diazinon of  pH6, 7 and 8 were 2.6 x 10-3, 8.8 x10-3 ad 2.5 x 10-3 M-1S-1respectively. The study suggests that granulated activated charcoal can be used as an sorbent to extract diazinon from water.
The combined use of 2D scout and 3D axial CT images to accurately determine the catheter tips for high‐dose‐rate brachytherapy plans
Authors: Qing Kun , Yue Ning J. , Hathout Lara , Ma Chi , Reyhan Meral , Zhu Jiahua , Nie Ke , Monte Gilbert , Vergalasova Irina
Published: February 2021

Purpose

To develop a method combining CT scout images with axial images to improve the localization accuracy of catheter tips in high‐dose‐rate (HDR) brachytherapy treatments.

Materials and Methods

CT scout images were utilized along with conventionally reconstructed axial images to aid the localization of catheter tips used during HDR treatment planning. A method was developed to take advantage of the finer image resolution of the scout images to more precisely identify the tip coordinates. The accuracies of this method were compared with the conventional method based on the axial CT images alone, for various slice thicknesses, in a computed tomography dose index (CTDI) head phantom. A clinical case which involved multiple interstitial catheters was also selected for the evaluation of this method. Locations of the catheter tips were reconstructed with the conventional CT‐based method and this newly developed method, respectively. Location coordinates obtained via both methods were quantitatively compared.

Results

Combination of the scout and axial CT images improved the accuracy of identification and reconstruction of catheter tips along the longitudinal direction (i.e., head‐to‐foot direction, more or less parallel to the catheter tracks), compared to relying on the axial CT images alone. The degree of improvement was dependent on CT slice thickness. For the clinical patient case, the coordinate differences of the reconstructed catheter tips were 2.6 mm ± 0.9 mm in the head‐to‐foot direction, 0.4 mm ± 0.2 mm in the left‐to‐right direction, and 0.6 mm ± 0.2 mm in the anterior‐to‐posterior direction, respectively.

Conclusion

Combining CT scout and axial images demonstrates the ability to provide a more accurate identification and reconstruction of the interstitial catheter tips for HDR brachytherapy treatment, especially in the longitudinal direction. The method developed in this work has the potential to be implemented clinically together with automatic segmentation in modern brachytherapy treatment planning systems, in order to improve the reconstruction accuracy of HDR catheters.
Prevalence of heart disease in patients with mitochondrial abnormalities on skeletal muscle biopsy
Authors: Scott Binder M. , Roda Ricardo H. , Corse Andrea M. , Sidhu Sunjeet , Stewart Sarah , Barth Andreas S.
Published: February 2021

Objective

Mitochondrial DNA mutations are associated with an increased risk of heart disease. Whether an increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease is present in patients presenting with mitochondrial abnormalities on skeletal muscle biopsy remains unknown. This study was designed to determine the prevalence of cardiac conduction disease and structural heart disease in patients presenting with mitochondrial abnormalities on skeletal muscle biopsy.

Methods

This is a retrospective cohort study of 103 patients with mitochondrial abnormalities on skeletal muscle biopsy who were referred for evaluation of muscle weakness at a single tertiary care referral center from 2012 to 2018. Of these patients, 59 (57.3%) had an electrocardiogram available and were evaluated for the presence of conduction disease. An echocardiogram was available in 43 patients (42%) who were evaluated for the presence of structural heart disease. The prevalence of cardiac disease was compared to control cohort populations (Framingham and the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities, ARIC cohorts).

Results

Mitochondrial abnormalities associated with cardiac conduction disease (defined as QRS duration ≥ 120 msec) were present in 8.9%, versus 2.0% (p < 0.001) in the Framingham population and 2.6% (p = 0.003) in the ARIC cohort. LV systolic dysfunction (LVEF ≤ 50%) was present in 11.6%, versus 3.6% (p < 0.01) in the Framingham and 3% (p < 0.01) in the ARIC populations. Left ventricular hypertrophy was present in 28.6%, versus 13.6% (p < 0.02) in the Framingham and 10.4% (p < 0.001) in the ARIC populations.

Interpretation

Given the increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease, patients with mitochondrial abnormalities on skeletal muscle biopsy should undergo routine cardiac screening with physical exam, electrocardiography, and cardiac imaging.
Report finds promise in SIFs based on Vancouver and Sydney
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: February 2021

Supervised injection facilities (SIFs) are promising in the reduction of opioid overdoses — at least in the only two sites in the world where they have been studied — according to a January report issued by the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER). The report, a literature search, noted that there are no randomized controlled trials that would make it possible to compare SIFs, currently illegal in the United States, with syringe services programs, which are not only legal in most states but can receive federal funding. The ICER did find that SIFs are associated with a reduction of opioid overdoses in Vancouver, Canada, and Sydney, Australia. Whether they should open in the United States as a way to combat opioid overdose deaths is a subject of controversy. We asked Beau Kilmer, Ph.D., McCauley Chair in Drug Policy Innovation at RAND and director of the RAND Drug Policy Research Center, a top expert in the United States on the topic, to review the executive summary for us, which he kindly did. “I think they did a good job of highlighting (1) the issues with generalizability — the vast majority of the published research comes from two sites, and most of this research was conducted before illegally produced fentanyl hit the streets — and (2) the lack of strong research designs in many of these studies,” he told ADAW. Another review of the literature, published in Addiction in 2019, for which Kilmer was corresponding author, concluded:
Pandemic linked to rise in alcoholic hepatitis and liver failure
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: February 2021

A report from Kaiser Health News (KHN) last month found that while the pandemic has led to relapse for “thousands of recovering alcoholics,” hospitals across the nation have reported steep increases in admissions for alcohol‐related diseases like alcoholic hepatitis and liver failure. These are critical diseases. Even before the pandemic, liver disease related to alcoholism was increasing, with hospitalizations doubling over the past 10 years. National figures were not available, according to KHN, for alcohol liver disease admissions during the epidemic. But at Keck Hospital of the University of Southern California, these admissions were up 30% in 2020 compared with 2019. This condition is often best treated by difficult‐to‐obtain transplants.
Cobalt‐Catalyzed Hydroalkynylation of Vinylaziridines
Authors: Biletskyi Bohdan , Kong Lingyu , Tenaglia Alphonse , Clavier Hervé
Published: February 2021

Transition metal‐catalyzed hydroalkynylation reactions are efficient transformations allowing the straightforward formation of functionalized alkynes. Therein, we disclose the cobalt‐catalyzed hydroalkynylation of vinylaziridines giving rise to both linear and branched enynes. The optimization of the reaction conditions allowed to determine the key parameters of the cobalt‐based catalytic system. The scope investigation showed that the cobalt‐catalyzed hydroalkynylation is mainly limited to phenylacetylene derivatives. In most cases branched and linear enynes were isolated in equimolar proportions (20 examples). Additional experiments allowed us to propose a plausible mechanism. Finally, the hydroalkynylation products were further subjected to an iodocyclization affording a 2,3‐dihydropyrrole derivative and a platinum‐catalyzed cycloisomerization.

magnified image
Synergistic Effect of Temperature and Electrolyte Concentration on Solid‐State Interphase for High‐Performance Lithium Metal Batteries
Authors: Li Quan , Xue Weiran , Peng Jiayue , Yang Lufeng , Pan Hongyi , Yu Xiqian , Li Hong
Published: February 2021

Lithium metal batteries (LMBs) are considered as the development direction of next‐generation rechargeable lithium batteries owing to their high energy densities. The electrochemical and safety performances of LMBs are significantly influenced by the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formed on the surface of lithium anode. Herein, the effects of both salt concentration and temperature on the SEI composition and properties are systematically investigated. The results reveal that either reducing the salt concentration to ultralow levels or elevating the temperature can lead to a more complete decomposition of the LiFSI salt. Meanwhile, the LiNO3‐rich SEI formed in the most dilute electrolyte (0.1 m) exhibits a better protective effect on lithium metal than the Li3N‐rich SEI formed in other electrolytes with higher salt concentrations. Benefiting from the compact and stable SEI, Li|Li4Ti5O12 batteries using the 0.1 m electrolyte possess the most superior cycling and rate performance at high temperature. This work generates a holistic understanding of the synergistic effects of salt concentration and temperature on SEI. Moreover, the utilization of dilute electrolytes not only renders a superior electrochemical performance of batteries at high temperature, but can also lower the production cost of electrolytes, showing a promising application potential in LMBs.
Crop responses to topsoil replacement within eroded landscapes
Authors: Schneider Sharon K. , Cavers Curtis G. , Duke Sara E. , Schumacher Joseph A. , Schumacher Thomas E. , Lobb David A.
Published: February 2021

Approaches to restore productivity to eroded soils are urgently needed to sustain food security. We evaluated plant response to soil‐landscape rehabilitation, in which approximately 15 cm of topsoil was moved from depositional landscape positions to the eroded upper slope. Crop response was monitored for 6 yr of a corn (Zea mays L.)–soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] rotation at a severely eroded site and for 4 yr of a wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)–soybean rotation at a moderately eroded site. Experiments were conducted in years with relatively wet springs and droughty summers. In the severely eroded landscape, addition of 15 cm of soil increased crop biomass by 25–95% on a kg ha–1 basis and increased grain yields by 20–49% (corn) and 12–59% (soybean), with the largest yield increases recorded in the most eroded landscape positions. Soil addition increased corn grain protein and test weight. No significant differences were observed in crop emergence rate or stand establishment. In the moderately eroded landscape, soil addition significantly increased crop biomass, but not grain yield. In both landscapes, yields were lower in areas of soil removal than in adjacent areas from which no soil was removed, which is likely at least partially an artifact of the plot design. While more research is needed to evaluate long‐term impacts, the results of these studies show that soil‐landscape rehabilitation may help alleviate the effects of past erosion and provide immediate benefits to the productivity of severely eroded soils.
Childhood prevalence of achondroplasia in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Authors: Tofts Louise , Armstrong Jennifer , Pacey Verity
Published: February 2021

The aim of this study was to estimate the childhood prevalence of achondroplasia, trends over time in birth prevalence, and age at diagnosis in Australia. Children born between 1990 and 2019 with a clinical and radiological and/or molecular diagnosis of achondroplasia were identified from a tertiary hospital servicing New South Wales (NSW) and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and compared with population data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Childhood prevalence of achondroplasia, based on children ≤19 years of age and resident in NSW/ACT on June 30, 2019 (n = 109), was 5.2 per 100,000. A total of 127 individuals with achondroplasia were born in 1990–2019 in NSW/ACT. Birth prevalence rates increased across birth decades, from 3.3 per 100,000 live births in 1990–1999 to 5.3 per 100,000 in 2010–2019 (p < 0.0001). Median age at diagnosis decreased to 17 days in 2010–2019 compared with 30 days in 1990–1999 (p = 0.035), although the overall decreasing trend across consecutive decades did not reach statistical significance. This is the first study to show a rising birth prevalence rate for achondroplasia in Australia with a concurrent decreasing age at diagnosis, both of which were statistically significant after 2 decades.
Quantification of enamel decussation in gracile and robust capuchins (Cebus, Sapajus, Cebidae, Platyrrhini)
Authors: Hogg Russell T. , Elokda Abdallah
Published: February 2021

Multiple behavioral and biomechanical analyses have demonstrated that capuchin monkeys (Cebus and Sapajus) are specialized for breaking down hard‐object foods as compared to other cebid monkeys. In addition to a complex suite of craniodental adaptations, it has specifically been demonstrated that capuchins possess highly complex dental enamel, with extensive Hunter–Schreger banding and other decussation, that likely serve as an adaptation to resist crack propagation during hard‐object feeding. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that robust capuchins (Sapajus spp., formerly Cebus apella) demonstrate further adaptation for hard‐object feeding than other capuchins, routinely breaking down extremely mechanically challenging foods. However, there has been no comparison of dental enamel complexity in robust versus gracile capuchins, to assess whether the dental enamel in Sapajus follows this same pattern of further specialization. Therefore, this study compares dental enamel complexity in images of dental thin sections from a sample of robust versus gracile capuchins using image compression ratio (ICR) analysis. ICR is a variable that correlates with enamel complexity, such that higher ICR values are indicative of increased complexity in the form of enamel decussation. We found no significant difference between robust and gracile capuchins when assessing all teeth in our sample together, however, we did find that robust capuchins have significantly higher ICR values than gracile capuchins for canine teeth, specifically. Our results support prior studies suggesting that robust capuchins are specialized to generate increased masticatory loads with their anterior dentition, specifically, as compared to gracile species.
Fabrication and characterization of chitosan/kefiran electrospun nanofibers for tissue engineering applications
Authors: Shokraei Shabnam , Mirzaei Esmaeil , Shokraei Nasim , Derakhshan Mohammad Ali , Ghanbari Hossein , Faridi‐Majidi Reza
Published: February 2021

Chitosan (CS)‐based nanofibrous scaffolds are very promising in tissue engineering applications. However, electrospinning of CS is not possible unless using toxic solvents such as trifluoroacetic acid or by blending with other polymers. In the present study, we investigated CS‐based nanofibers' fabrication by blending it with kefiran as a natural polysaccharide. A series of solutions with various CS to kefiran ratios were prepared and underwent electrospinning. The effects of main process parameters, including applied voltage and needle tip‐to‐collector distance on nanofibers' diameter and morphology, were also studied. Nanofibers containing 80% CS and 20% Kefiran with an average diameter of 81 ± 17 nm were successfully electrospun. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated the presence of both polymers in blend nanofibers. The diameter of CS/kefiran nanofibers increased with enhanced applied voltage, while needle tip‐to‐collector distance did not significantly affect the mean diameters. Appropriate viability of l929 cells on the obtained scaffolds was demonstrated utilizing Alamar blue assay. Also, cell attachment onto the fiber surface was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. Results indicated that CS/kefiran nanofibrous scaffolds would be promising for tissue engineering applications.
Novel Ti3C2Tx MXene/epoxy intumescent fire‐retardant coatings for ancient wooden architectures
Authors: Huang Shan , Wang Lei , Li Yuchen , Liang Chaobo , Zhang Junliang
Published: February 2021

Most of the ancient buildings are made of inflammable wooden structures, which have serious potential safety hazards. Applying fire‐retardant coating is one of the simplest and most effective means of fire prevention in ancient wooden buildings. In this work, we have demonstrated that the Ti3C2Tx transition metal carbide/carbonitride (MXene) was applied as the synergetic agent, waterborne epoxy resin as the film‐forming agent, ammonium polyphosphate, dipentaerythritol, and melamine (P‐C‐N system) as the intumescent fire‐retardant system to prepare Ti3C2Tx/epoxy intumescent fire‐retardant coating (TEIFC). The results showed that MXene has significantly improved the fire‐retardant performance of the coating. By incorporating 3 wt% Ti3C2Tx (TEIFC‐3, with 62 wt% P‐C‐N system), the coating displayed UL‐94 V‐0 rating with the limiting oxygen index value of 38%. In addition, the combination of Ti3C2Tx and P‐C‐N system enhanced the Shore hardness of the coating to 95 SHD (TEIFC‐3). Furthermore, TEIFC‐3 presented high thermal stability with the THRI of 177.0°C and Tdmax of 380.5°C. This work provides a novel strategy for the design and preparation of intumescent fire‐retardant coating, which will greatly broaden the industrial applications of MXene‐based polymer composites in the field of fire prevention of ancient buildings.
Poly(butyl acrylate) polymer enhanced phase segregation and morphology of organic semiconductor for solution‐processed thin film transistors
Authors: Sun Yeqing , Zhang Ziyang , Asare‐Yeboah Kyeiwaa , Bi Sheng , He Zhengran
Published: February 2021

The phase segregation as a result of mixing organic semiconductors with polymeric additives has been reported as an intriguing avenue to optimize semiconductor crystal microstructure, active layer composition and charge carrier transport. In this work, we report the mixing of organic semiconductor 6,13‐bis(triisopropylsilylethynyl) pentacene (TIPS pentacene) with poly(butylacrylate) as a polymer additive to control the semiconductor crystal growth and morphology. The incorporation of poly(butylacrylate) induces a vertical phase segregation but a more predominant lateral phase segregation with TIPS pentacene. Along with a solvent vapor annealing technique, poly(butylacrylate) evenly distributes the semiconductor nuclei on the polymer matrix, and results in organic crystal with enlarged grain width. In addition, the randomized crystal growth of TIPS pentacene has been significantly reduced, giving rise to a 25‐fold decrease in misorientation angle. The bottom‐gate, top‐contact thin film transistors with the poly(butylacrylate)/TIPS pentacene mixture as the active layer demonstrated an improved hole mobility of 0.11 cm2/Vs. We believe the phase segregation induced by the poly(butylacrylate) polymer as well as the solvent vapor annealing method as reported in this work can be facilely replicated on other organic semiconductors to realize high performance organic electronic device applications.
Utilizing bacteriophage to define the minimum residence time within a plug flow reactor
Authors: Brown Matthew R. , Orozco Raquel
Published: February 2021

As part of a viral mitigating strategy for continuous bioprocessing, that utilizes a plug flow reactor (PFR) for continuous viral inactivation (CVI), understanding the minimum residence time as a function of reactor scale and operational conditions is critical. An empirical‐based model was utilized to calculate the minimum duration a virus particle experiences within a plug flow reactor as a function of reactor design and operational conditions. This empirical model's calculations were challenged by pulse injecting the bacteriophage ΦX‐174 in non‐inactivating conditions and monitoring the discharge of the PFR with infectivity assays. The initial proposed empirical model, with the constraint of requiring an operational Dean number of >100, proved to be effective at calculating first breakthrough of ΦX‐174 but only for the appropriate Dean number conditions. With the knowledge gained from the first empirical model, a second was generated to eliminate the Dean number constraint. This second modified empirical model proved to be successful at calculating the first breakthrough at all Dean number's tested, however CVI operation at the lower Dean's number will lead to an increased asymmetry (i.e., increased tailing) in the residence time distribution.
Therapeutic effects of Silexan on somatic symptoms and physical health in patients with anxiety disorders: A meta‐analysis
Authors: von Känel Roland , Kasper Siegfried , Bondolfi Guido , Holsboer‐Trachsler Edith , Hättenschwiler Josef , Hatzinger Martin , Imboden Christian , Heitlinger Ellen , Seifritz Erich
Published: February 2021

A meta‐analysis was performed to examine therapeutic effects of Silexan on somatic symptoms, including insomnia/fatigue, and physical health in patients with anxiety disorders. Five randomized, placebo‐controlled trials were included in this analysis: The efficacy of Silexan (80 mg/day) was investigated in patients with subthreshold anxiety disorders (three trials) and in patients with generalized anxiety disorder (two trials). Silexan was superior to placebo in terms of the mean change from baseline in the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA) subscore somatic anxiety at week 10 with a standardized mean difference of −0.31 [95% Cl: −0.52 to −0.10, p = .004]. Treatment effects of silexan on somatic anxiety were independent of gender and age. Statistically significant differences were also shown for single HAMA items somatic muscular, cardiovascular, respiratory, and genitourinary symptoms, indicating clinical relevance with small to medium effects of Silexan. Similar clinically meaningful effects of Silexan on SF‐36 physical health, including reduced bodily pain and improved general health, and on insomnia complaints and fatigue, were demonstrated. In this meta‐analysis including all placebo‐controlled clinical trials in patients with anxiety disorders to date, statistically significant and clinically meaningful advantages of Silexan over placebo treatment were found in improving somatic symptoms and physical health.
A phase I trial of the mTOR inhibitor temsirolimus in combination with capecitabine in patients with advanced malignancies
Authors: Trivedi Neel D. , Armstrong Samantha , Wang Hongkun , Hartley Marion , Deeken John , Ruth He A. , Subramaniam Deepa , Melville Heather , Albanese Chris , Marshall John L. , Hwang Jimmy , Pishvaian Michael J.
Published: February 2021

Background

Temsirolimus is an mTOR antagonist with proven anticancer efficacy. Preclinical data suggest greater anticancer effect when mTOR inhibitors are combined with cytotoxic chemotherapy. We performed a Phase I assessment of the combination of temsirolimus and capecitabine in patients with advanced solid tumors.

Methods

Patients were enrolled in an alternating dose escalation of temsirolimus (at 15 or 25 mg IV weekly) and capecitabine (at 750, 1000, and 1250 mg/m2 twice daily) in separate Q2‐week and Q3‐week cohorts. At the recommended Phase II doses (RP2Ds) of temsirolimus and capecitabine (Q2), seven patients were also treated with oxaliplatin (85 mg/m2, day 1) to determine triplet combination safety and efficacy.

Results

Forty‐five patients were enrolled and 41 were evaluable for dose‐limiting toxicities (DLTs). The most common adverse events (AEs) were mucositis, fatigue, and thrombocytopenia. The most common grade 3/4 AEs were hypophosphatemia and anemia. Five patients had DLTs, including hypophosphatemia, mucositis, and thrombocytopenia. The RP2Ds were temsirolimus 25 mg +capecitabine 1000 mg/m2 (Q2); and temsirolimus 25 mg +capecitabine 750 mg/m2 (Q3). Of the 38 patients evaluable for response, one had a partial response (PR) and 19 had stable disease (SD). The overall disease control rate was 52%. Five of the 20 patients with SD/PR maintained disease control for >6 months.

Conclusions

The combination of temsirolimus and capecitabine is safe on both a Q2‐week and a Q3‐week schedule. The combination demonstrated promising evidence of disease control in this highly refractory population and could be considered for testing in disease‐specific phase II trials.
Opioid use by cancer status and time since diagnosis among older adults enrolled in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian screening trial in the United States
Authors: Durham Danielle D. , Strassels Scott A. , Pinsky Paul F.
Published: February 2021

Background

Dosing limits in opioid clinical practice guidelines in the United States are likely misapplied to cancer patients, however, opioid use may be difficult to ascertain as they are largely excluded from opioid use studies.

Methods

The primary objective was to determine whether cancer patients were more likely to be chronic opioid users after diagnosis. We described prescription opioid use among U.S. older adult cancer patients during two time periods, within 2 years of diagnosis (short‐term) and at least 2 years beyond diagnosis (long‐term), compared to those without cancer (controls). Among participants in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian (PLCO) screening trial with linkages to Medicare Part D data during 2011–2015, we used multivariable logistic regression to estimate the association between cancer diagnosis and opioid use outcomes controlling for demographics. The primary outcome of opioid use was measured with the following metrics: Any opioid use, chronic use (90 consecutive days supply of opioid use while allowing for a 7‐day gap between refills), high use (average daily morphine equivalent (MME) ≥120 mg for any 90‐day period), and total MME dose above 2,000 mg (MME2000).

Results

The short‐term cohort included 1,491 cancer patients and 24,930 controls. Any use in the 2‐year post‐diagnosis period was higher among cancer patients OR 3.3 (95% CI: 3.0–3.7). Chronic use rates were similar by cancer status (4.6% vs. 3.8% for cases and controls, respectively). The long‐term cohort included 4,377 cancer patients and 27,545 controls. Rates of any use were similar among cancer patients and controls (63% vs. 59%).

Conclusions

Any opioid use was similar among long‐term cancer survivors compared to controls, but differed among short‐term survivors for any opioid use and marginally for chronic opioid use.
Light chain Amyloidosis (AL) associated with multiple myeloma revealed by peripheral bilateral polyarthritis: a case report
Authors: Randrianarisoa Rova Malala Fandresena , Rafanomezantsoa Efrasie , Razafindrazaka Hitsy Andraina , Raberahona Mihaja , Andriananja Volatiana , Andriamiharisoa Stéphanie Norotiana , Ralison Fidiarivony , Vololontiana Hanta Marie Danielle , Randria Mamy Jean de Dieu
Published: February 2021

In chronic polyarthritis, the presence of macroglossia with absence of rheumatoid factor and anti‐CCP antibodies may be suggestive of amyloid arthopathy. Clinical evaluation takes precedence over classification criteria.
Rejoinder: “Statistical disease mapping for heterogeneous neuroimaging studies”
Authors: Liu Rongjie , Zhu Hongtu
Published: February 2021

We thank all the discussants for sharing their valuable viewpoints on the proposed statistical disease mapping (SDM) framework. In our article, we addressed the issue of imaging heterogeneity at both the global and local scales by efficiently borrowing common information shared among a large number of diseased and normal subjects. Understanding such imaging heterogeneity is critical in the development of urgently needed analytic approaches to the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of many diseases (e.g., Alzheimer's disease, brain cancer, and lung cancer), as well as precision medicine broadly. The discussants emphasized improvements to disease mapping by introducing some alternative modelling strategies and many possible future directions in this research topic. The sections of this rejoinder are organized by discussant to address each of their comments separately.
A Heterogeneous Nanoscale Covalent Organic Framework Fluorescence Probe for Sensitive Detection of Hydrogen Sulfide
Authors: Ge Xuan , Zhang Houyong , Zhang Chengxiao , Du Mingyue
Published: February 2021

New strategies for highly selective and sensitive detection of highly toxic environmental pollutants are still a pressing need. Here, through Cu2+ metalated porous nanoscale covalent organic framework (NCOF), a novel heterogeneous NCOF fluorescence probe has been synthesized for sensitive and selectivity detection of hydrogen sulfide (H2S). Upon H2S addition, the Cu2+ released from the CuCOF, accompanied by the fluorescence recovered of COF. As far as we know, NCOF has not been reported as fluorescence probe for H2S detection. The as‐prepared nano CuCOF displays an excellent sensitive response to H2S with a detection limit of 10 nM. In addition, such heterogeneous fluorescence probe exhibited high selectivity towards to H2S relative to other thiols and anionic species. Moreover, the detection of H2S was achieved successfully in different actual water samples.
Variational Embedding for Quantum Many‐Body Problems
Authors: Lin Lin , Lindsey Michael
Published: February 2021

Quantum embedding theories are powerful tools for approximately solving large‐scale, strongly correlated quantum many‐body problems. The main idea of quantum embedding is to glue together a highly accurate quantum theory at the local scale and a less accurate quantum theory at the global scale. We introduce the first quantum embedding theory that is also variational, in that it is guaranteed to provide a one‐sided bound for the exact ground‐state energy. Our method, which we call the variational embedding method, provides a lower bound for this quantity. The method relaxes the representability conditions for quantum marginals to a set of linear and semidefinite constraints that operate at both local and global scales, resulting in a semidefinite program (SDP) to be solved numerically. The accuracy of the method can be systematically improved. The method is versatile and can be applied, in particular, to quantum many‐body problems for both quantum spin systems and fermionic systems, such as those arising from electronic structure calculations. We describe how the proper notion of quantum marginal, sufficiently general to accommodate both of these settings, should be phrased in terms of certain algebras of operators. We also investigate the duality theory for our SDPs, which offers valuable perspective on our method as an embedding theory. As a byproduct of this investigation, we describe a formulation for efficiently implementing the variational embedding method via a partial dualization procedure and the solution of quantum analogues of the Kantorovich problem from optimal transport theory. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.
A new high‐efficiency interleaved step‐up converter with zero‐voltage switching, zero‐current switching, and common‐ground features for stand‐alone electric vehicle charging stations
Authors: Lahooti Eshkevari Alireza , Ghaffarpour Sadighi Hossein , Salemnia Ahmad , Mosallanejad Ali
Published: February 2021

A new step‐up dc–dc converter with the interleaved operation is proposed. This converter is equipped with a novel active clamp circuit that provides zero‐voltage switching (ZVS) operation for power switches and zero‐current switching (ZCS) for diodes. High‐efficiency, interleaved structure, common‐ground, and continuous input current are other features of this topology. Also, the presented topology provides higher boost factors due to using coupled inductors. Therefore, this topology is useful for connecting to renewable energy resources like photovoltaic panels and fuel cells. Due to its soft‐switching operation and high efficiency, this converter can be designed for high‐power applications. As a result, this converter can be utilized in stand‐alone electric vehicle charging stations. Simulation and experimental results are presented to evaluate this topology. For this purpose, a 48‐V/380‐V/500‐W prototype has been built. Results confirm the above claims.