bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Factors influencing cervical cancer screening practice among female health workers in Nigeria: A systematic review
Authors: Okolie Elvis Anyaehiechukwu , Barker Debra , Nnyanzi Lawrence Achilles , Anjorin Seun , Aluga David , Nwadike Blessing Ifeoma
Published: July 2021

Background

Cervical cancer is the most prevalent gynaecologic cancer in Nigeria. Despite being largely preventable through screening, cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer morbidity and mortality in Nigeria. To reduce the burden of cervical cancer in Nigeria, female health workers (FHWs) are expected to play an influential role in leading screening uptake and promoting access to cervical cancer education and screening.

Aim

The aim of this systematic review is to assess the factors influencing cervical cancer screening (CCS) practice among FHWs in Nigeria.

Methods

We conducted a systematic literature search across six (6) electronic databases namely MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, African Index Medicus, CINAHL, and Web of Science between May 2020 and October 2020. Reference list and grey literature search were conducted to complement database search. Four reviewers screened 3171 citations against the inclusion criteria and critically appraised the quality of eligible studies. Narrative synthesis was used in summarising data from included studies.

Results

Overall, 15 studies met the inclusion criteria and were all quantitative cross‐sectional studies. Included studies sampled a total of 3392 FHWs in Nigeria. FHWs had a high level of knowledge and positive attitude towards CCS. However, CCS uptake was poor. Predominant barriers to CCS uptake were the cost of screening, fear of positive results, lack of test awareness, reluctance to screen, low‐risk perception, and lack of time. In contrast, being married, increasing age, awareness of screening methods, and physician recommendation were the most documented facilitators.

Conclusion

This study revealed that a complex interplay of socioeconomic, structural, and individual factors influences CCS among FHWs in Nigeria. Therefore, implementing holistic interventions targeting both health system factors such as cost of screening and infrastructure and individual factors such as low‐risk perception and fear of positive result affecting FHWs in Nigeria is critical to reducing the burden of cervical cancer.
Twister2 Cross‐platform resource scheduler for big data
Authors: Uyar Ahmet , Gunduz Gurhan , Kamburugamuve Supun , Wickramasinghe Pulasthi , Widanage Chathura , Govindarajan Kannan , Perera Niranda , Abeykoon Vibhatha , Akkas Selahattin , Fox Geoffrey
Published: July 2021

Twister2 is an open‐source big data hosting environment designed to process both batch and streaming data at scale. Twister2 runs jobs in both high‐performance computing (HPC) and big data clusters. It provides a cross‐platform resource scheduler to run jobs in diverse environments. Twister2 is designed with a layered architecture to support various clusters and big data problems. In this paper, we present the cross‐platform resource scheduler of Twister2. We identify required services and explain implementation details. We present job startup delays for single jobs and multiple concurrent jobs in Kubernetes and OpenMPI clusters. We compare job startup delays for Twister2 and Spark at a Kubernetes cluster. In addition, we compare the performance of terasort algorithm on Kubernetes and bare metal clusters at AWS cloud.
Construction of Two‐Component Chemically Reactive Supramolecular Assemblies‐Acyl Migration Reactions in Cocrystals of Napthalene‐2,3‐Diol and Its Diesters
Authors: Bahadur Vir , Gonnade Rajesh G. , Tamboli Majid I. , Krishnaswamy Shobhana , Shashidhar Mysore S.
Published: July 2021

Reactions in solids are of contemporary interest due to applications in pharmaceutical industries to environmental sustainability. Although several reactive crystals that support chemical reactions have been identified and characterized, the same cannot be said about reactive cocrystals. Earlier we correlated the facile acyl group transfer reactions in crystals with supramolecular parameters obtained from the crystal structures. The structure‐reactivity correlation revealed the requirement of proper juxtaposition of electrophile (C=O) and the nucleophile (OH) with distance (∼3.2 Å) and angle (∼90°) along the chain structure. The current article describes the preparation of cocrystals that are capable of supporting intermolecular acyl group transfer reactions in a group of structurally similar molecules. The cocrystals of naphthalene 2,3‐diol and its corresponding diesters showed a facile solid state acyl transfer reaction, which has been well correlated with their crystal structures.
Steady‐State Pre‐rRNA Analysis to Investigate the Functional Microbiome
Authors: Weigel Kris M. , Olson Alaina M. , Cangelosi Gerard A.
Published: July 2021

The gut microbiome is recognized as a critical regulator of human diseases. Constituents of the microbiota and their individual activities can affect a broad range of disease states related to autoimmunity, cancer, infection, metabolism, mental health, and toxicant exposure. A substantial number of microbiome species are not culturable, limiting their study in vitro. Sequencing methods have allowed quantification of the composition of the microbiome, but methods to characterize the physiological status of bacterial species remain limited. Ribosomal RNA precursors (pre‐rRNAs) are species‐specific intermediates in bacterial ribosomal synthesis, and their levels are highly responsive to environmental changes. Immediately before and during active growth, pre‐rRNA levels are high, whereas in non‐dividing cells, copy numbers are orders of magnitude lower. These dynamics are conserved in all bacterial species and occur exclusively in viable cells, allowing the specific characterization of living and functional bacteria in their native states. Pre‐rRNA analysis has been shown to yield valuable real‐time information on the physiology of individual bacterial species within complex samples, beyond what traditional qPCR and sequencing methods can offer. Herein, we describe a PCR‐based protocol to interrogate and quantify the in situ growth status of bacterial species of interest within a complex microbiome. We also describe an in vitro protocol to characterize the pre‐rRNA/growth relationship for a given bacterial species to provide greater context for values obtained from natural samples. Improved understanding of microbial physiological responses to exposures could reveal novel toxicological mechanisms, biomarkers, and potential treatments. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol: Targeted steady‐state pre‐rRNA analysis

Support Protocol: Characterization of pre‐rRNA/growth relationship
Shame and eating disorders symptoms: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Nechita Diana‐Mirela , Bud Samuel , David Daniel
Published: July 2021

Objective

Numerous empirical studies and theoretical models posit that shame is a common experience among individuals across the eating disorder spectrum. In this study we aim to investigate the association between shame and eating disorders symptoms using a meta‐analytical approach.

Method

In this meta‐analysis, we synthesized findings from 195 studies to examine the proposed association between shame and eating disorders symptoms. We looked at the associations with both general eating disorders symptoms and with specific eating disorders symptoms (i.e., anorexic, bulimic, and binge‐eating symptoms). Moderation analyses testing for the effect of type of shame, type of eating symptoms, clinical status, quality of the study, age, and gender were conducted.

Results

Shame was significantly associated with a medium to large effect size with all types of eating disorders symptoms (rs between .40 and .52). Body shame (r = .55) and shame around eating (r = .59) were more strongly related with eating disorders pathology. Type of eating disorders symptoms did not moderate the relationship between shame and disturbed eating.

Discussion

Overall, the magnitude of the effect size of the association between shame and eating disorders symptoms is a medium to large one. Body shame and shame around eating seem to be the types of shame most closely tied with eating disorders symptoms, suggesting that directly targeting them in interventions might be highly beneficial. Findings highlight current gaps in the literature (e.g., mostly correlational studies, low quality studies) with implications for future research.
Functional diversity of avian communities increases with canopy height: From individual behavior to continental‐scale patterns
Authors: Remeš Vladimír , Remešová Eva , Friedman Nicholas R. , Matysioková Beata , Rubáčová Lucia
Published: July 2021

Vegetation complexity is an important predictor of animal species diversity. Specifically, taller vegetation should provide more potential ecological niches and thus harbor communities with higher species richness and functional diversity (FD). Resource use behavior is an especially important functional trait because it links species to their resource base with direct relevance to niche partitioning. However, it is unclear how exactly the diversity of resource use behavior changes with vegetation complexity. To address this question, we studied avian FD in relation to vegetation complexity along a continental‐scale vegetation gradient. We quantified foraging behavior of passerine birds in terms of foraging method and substrate use at 21 sites (63 transects) spanning 3,000 km of woodlands and forests in Australia. We also quantified vegetation structure on 630 sampling points at the same sites. Additionally, we measured morphological traits for all 111 observed species in museum collections. We calculated individual‐based, abundance‐weighted FD in morphology and foraging behavior and related it to species richness and vegetation complexity (indexed by canopy height) using structural equation modeling, rarefaction analyses, and distance‐based metrics. FD of morphology and foraging methods was best predicted by species richness. However, FD of substrate use was best predicted by canopy height (ranging 10–30 m), but only when substrates were categorized with fine resolution (17 categories), not when categorized coarsely (8 categories). These results suggest that, first, FD might increase with vegetation complexity independently of species richness, but whether it does so depends on the studied functional trait. Second, patterns found might be shaped by how finely we categorize functional traits. More complex vegetation provided larger "ecological space" with more resources, allowing the coexistence of more species with disproportionately more diverse foraging substrate use. We suggest that the latter pattern was driven by nonrandom accumulation of functionally distinct species with increasing canopy height.
Plant–soil feedbacks depend on drought stress, functional group, and evolutionary relatedness in a semiarid grassland
Authors: Martorell Carlos , MartÍnez‐Blancas Alejandra , García‐Meza Diego
Published: July 2021

Plant–soil feedback (PSF) occurs when plants change the biota and physicochemical properties of the soil, and these changes affect future survival or growth of plants. PSF depends on several factors such as plant functional attributes (e.g., life cycle or photosynthetic metabolism) and the environment. PSF often turn positive under dry conditions because soil biota confers drought tolerance. Conspecifics and close relatives share pathogens and consume similar resources, exerting negative PSF on each other. These ideas have mostly been tested under controlled conditions, while field studies remain scarce. To reevaluate these findings in nature, we analyzed plant–soil feedbacks over a drought‐stress gradient in a phosphorus‐limited semiarid grassland. We planted seedlings of 17 species in plots where community composition had been monitored for six years. To determine PSF intensity, we measured how seedling longevity was affected by previous occupancy of conspecifics and heterospecifics. The previous occupancy–survival relationship (OSR) was used as a proxy for PSF. Evidence for OSRs was found in one‐third of the species pairs, with inconclusive evidence for the rest suggesting weak feedbacks. This is in line with the expectation that PSFs in the field are weaker than under controlled conditions. As expected, positive PSFs were more frequent as drought stress increased. The strongest OSRs were caused in dry plots by C4 perennial grasses, which had very positive OSRs on several C3 annual forbs, but negative effects on each other. Well‐documented differences between these two functional groups may explain this result: C3 plants are more sensitive to drought, and thus may be favored by tolerance‐conferring microbiota; in contrast, water‐efficient C4 perennial grasses compete for phosphorus strongly, perhaps driving strong negative PSFs between them. Finally, close relatives had more negative OSRs on each other than on distant relatives as expected, although only in dry plots. This pattern was mostly due to the negative effects of closely related C4 grasses under dry conditions, and their positive effects on distantly related dicots. Our results highlight the importance of plant traits and of the environmental context in determining the direction and strength of PSFs under field conditions.
Heart failure associated with imported malaria: a nationwide Danish cohort study
Authors: Brainin Philip , Mohr Grimur Høgnason , Modin Daniel , Claggett Brian , Silvestre Odilson M. , Shah Amil , Vestergaard Lasse S. , Jensen Jens Ulrik Stæhr , Hviid Lars , Torp‐Pedersen Christian , Køber Lars , Solomon Scott , Schou Morten , Gislason Gunnar H. , Biering‐Sørensen Tor
Published: July 2021

Aims

Despite adequate treatment, recent studies have hypothesized that malaria may affect long‐term cardiovascular function. We aimed to investigate the long‐term risk of cardiovascular events and death in individuals with a history of imported malaria in Denmark.

Methods

Using nationwide Danish registries, we followed individuals with a history of malaria for the risk of incident heart failure (HF), myocardial infarction (MI), cardiovascular death and all‐cause death (1 January 1994 to 1 January 2017). The population was age‐ and sex‐matched with individuals without a history of malaria from the Danish population (ratio 1:9). We excluded patients with known HF and ischaemic heart disease at inclusion.

Results

We identified 3912 cases with a history of malaria (mean age 33 ± 17 years, 57% male, 41% Plasmodium falciparum infections). The median follow‐up was 9.8 years (interquartile range 3.9–16.4 years). Event rates per 1000 person‐years for individuals with a history vs. no history of malaria were HF: 1.84 vs. 1.32; MI: 1.28 vs. 1.30; cardiovascular death: 1.40 vs. 1.77; and all‐cause death: 5.04 vs. 5.28. In Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for cardiovascular risk factors, concomitant pharmacotherapy, region of origin, household income and educational level, malaria was associated with HF (HR: 1.59 [1.21–2.09], P = 0.001), but not MI (HR: 1.00 [0.72–1.39], P = 1.00), cardiovascular death (HR: 1.00 [0.74–1.35], P = 0.98) or all‐cause death (HR 1.11 [0.94–1.30], P = 0.21). Specifically, P. falciparum infection was associated with increased risk of HF (HR: 1.64 [1.14–2.36], P = 0.008).

Conclusion

Individuals with a history of imported malaria, specifically P. falciparum, may have an increased risk of incident HF.
Investigating the Bismuth Complexes with Benzoazacrown Tri‐ and Tetra‐Acetates
Authors: Egorova Bayirta V. , Matazova Ekaterina V. , Aleshin Gleb Yu. , Zubenko Anastasia D. , Pashanova Anna V. , Konopkina Ekaterina A. , Mitrofanov Artem A. , Smirnova Anastasia A. , Trigub Alexander L. , Karnoukhova Valentina A. , Fedorova Olga A. , Kalmykov Stepan N.
Published: July 2021

The complexation properties towards Bi3+of benzoazacrown ligands with five (H3BA3A) and six (H4BATA) heteroatoms and corresponding number of acetic arms have been investigated. Complexation constants were determined via potentiometric titration for BA3ABi complex (logβ=26.2) and refined for BATABi complex (logβ=31.7). According to NMR, X‐ray and EXAFS results, chelation of cation by H3BA3A appears to be outside the macrocyclic cavity both in the solid state and in the aqueous solution. This out‐cage location despite the high stability constant causes serum andin vivoinstability of complex of smaller azacrown H3BA3A in contrast to H4BATA. Whereas the larger macrocycle and four pendant arms of H4BATA provide long‐range coordination effectively shielding the cation thereby ensuring high inertnessin vitro, low accumulation of the radionuclide in the organs, and fast clearance.
Electrochemical Detection of Tyrosinase in Cell Lysates at Functionalized Nanochannels via Amplifying of Ionic Current Response
Authors: Shi Lu , Zhang Zhihui , Zhang Limin , Tian Yang
Published: July 2021

Tyrosinase is an important enzyme in the metabolism of melanin and catecholamine, as well as an important antigen in autoimmunity of vitiligo. However, it is still a challenge to develop a selective and sensitive sensing approach for monitoring of tyrosinase in cell environment. In this work, a sensing strategy based on ion current rectification induced by nanochannels was established to electrochemically detect inactive tyrosinase. Functionalized alumina nanochannels were decorated by tyramine as an electrochemical platform to selectively determine tyrosinase via chemically specific reaction between phenolic hydroxyl groups of tyramine and tyrosinase. On the other hand, Fe2+ was further bonded with dihydroxyl groups generated by tyrosinase in nanochannels to amplify charge changes, resulting in the enhancement on the detection sensitivity for tyrosinase. Based on this principle, the developed electrochemical sensor showed a good linearity towards tyrosinase from 2 to 50 U/mL with a detection limit down to 0.83 U/mL, which can fulfil the requirement for detection of tyrosinase in cells. Eventually, the present electrochemical sensor was successfully employed in the selective and sensitive determination of tyrosinase in cell lysates. The results suggested that the activity of tyrosinase in B16 cells was 1.7‐fold higher than that of Hela cells.
APOE gene ɛ4 allele (388C‐526C) effects on serum lipids and risk of coronary artery disease in southern Chinese Hakka population
Authors: Liu Qinghua , Wu Heming , Yu Zhikang , Huang Qingyan , Zhong Zhixiong
Published: July 2021

Objective

To analyze the relationship of Apolipoprotein E (APOE) and solute carrier organic anion transporter family member 1B1 (SLCO1B1) gene polymorphisms with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods

1,129 CAD patients and 1,014 non‐CAD controls were included in the study, and relevant information and medical records were collected. The single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were analyzed, including rs429358, rs7412 in APOE gene and rs2306283, rs4149056 in SLCO1B1 gene.

Results

The CAD patients’ average age was 66.3 ± 10.7 years, while 65.5 ± 12.0 years in controls. The frequencies of APOE allele ɛ3, ɛ4, and ɛ2 were 83.01%, 10.08%, and 6.91% respectively. There were statistically significant differences in genotype ɛ3/ɛ4 (χ2 = 8.077, p = 0.005) in CAD patients compared with the controls. The SLCO1B1 genotype *1b/*1b and haplotype *1b showed the highest frequency in the study sample. Moreover, ε4 carriers had significantly lower HDL‐C, Apo‐A1 levels than ε3 carriers among CAD patients, while ε2 carriers showed lower LDL‐C, Apo‐B level, and higher Apo‐A1/Apo‐B level than ε3 and ε4 carriers. In controls, ε2 carriers showed lower LDL‐C and Apo‐B level, higher Apo‐A1, and Apo‐A1/Apo‐B level than ε4 carriers. Logistic regression analysis showed that high LDL‐C and Apo‐B level, low HDL‐C level, smoking, and the ε4 allele were risks for the presence of CAD.

Conclusions

APOE ε4 allele may be associated with susceptibility to CAD in southern Chinese Hakka population. It indicated that the APOE SNPs rs429358 and rs7412 are associated with CAD, but not SNPs rs2306283 and rs4149056 of SLCO1B1 gene.
Synthesis of a new polyunsaturated cationic crosslinker by a new micro‐polycondensation reaction as a critical modifier of polycationic flocculant for purifying dyeing wastewater
Authors: Yang Qiwen , Bai Yu , Hu Menghan , Li Mengxi , Yu Yikai
Published: July 2021

BACKGROUND

This work explored a complete evolutionary process, from discovering a new reaction and synthesizing a new crosslinker intermediate, to product application in the purification of dyeing wastewater.

RESULTS

A new micro‐polycondensation reaction between propylacryloyloxypropyldimethylamine and epichlorohydrin was first observed, forming a new polyunsaturated cationic crosslinker (poly (2‐hydroxypropylacryloyloxypropyldimethylammonium chloride) (PHPAC), abbreviating HPAC unit as the repeating unit); meanwhile, this new PHPAC crosslinker was just a critical modifier of a polycationic flocculant. When the thimbleful of PHPAC crosslinkers containing only 0.2% molar percentage of HPAC units were incorporated into a polycationic skeleton of poly (acryloyloxyethyltrimethylammonium chloride) (PDAC), the application properties of the obtained modified product (known as SC‐PDAC) were greatly improved compared to the unmodified product of PDAC. The cost for preparing the modified product of SC‐PDAC was hardly increased because the quantity of HPAC modifier used was minimal. The multi‐dimension flocculation interactions of SC‐PDAC with the anionic dyes allowed the SC‐PDAC to realize a more efficient purification of dyeing wastewater than the unmodified PDAC. The obtained SC‐PDAC could remove 99.10% of the dyes Reactive Scarlet 3BS and 96.69% of the dyes Methyl Blue when used for purifying the dyeing wastewater. In real engineering applications, the further complex interactions of SC‐PDAC with certain inorganic flocculants and coagulant aids would allow the flocs to be quickly formed, condensed, and aggregated, so as to realize a fast purification of dyeing wastewater within 10 s. The successful implementation of a simulation amplification experiment for treating a 4.0 L dye solution further confirmed that the SC‐PDAC had good potential to be applied in real water treatment engineering.

CONCLUSIONS

Therefore, as expected, it could be regarded as an economic and facile modification way to obtain the efficient organic cationic flocculant by selecting the PHPAC crosslinker as a critical modifier. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Efficient bioconversion of daptomycin to its nucleus by heterologous expression of deacylase genes in Streptomyces
Authors: Wang Xiaojing , Liu Jing , Zhang Hanzhi , Wu Kai , Yang Zhijun , Ning Ruonan , Huang Junhai , Shao Lei
Published: July 2021

BACKGROUND

Daptomycin is an effective clinical drug for treating Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia. Daptomycin and its derivatives are essential resources for antimicrobial screening and drug development. The daptomycin nucleus is a critical intermediate for producing daptomycin and its derivatives; it is catalysed by deacylase from Actinoplanes utahensis. However, the yield of the daptomycin nucleus was low by the original strain.

RESULTS

In this study, the deacylase gene was overexpressed in the heterologous hosts of three different Streptomyces strains, and the efficiency of recombinant Streptomyces coelicolor was higher than that of the other two strains. Daptomycin and its nucleus were isolated, their structures were identified by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry (LC–MS), and its bioconversion was confirmed by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The optimal conditions were a phosphate buffer with 0.2 mol L−1 KCl, pH 7.0, and temperature of 40 °C, with a reaction time >4 h; in these conditions, the bioconversion efficiency increased from 71.04% to 85.02%, which is an increase of 16.44%. In addition, daptomycin nucleus yield could reach 4.36 g L−1 when 8 g L−1 daptomycin was added to the 200 mL reaction system by recombinant S. coelicolor, and the yield was 1.23 g L−1 when 6 g L−1 of daptomycin was introduced into wild‐type strain in a preliminary study for further industrialization applications.

CONCLUSION

These results are helpful for enhancing daptomycin nucleus production in recombinant Streptomyces. Our work could make it possible to commercialise the daptomycin nucleus‐overproducing stains and provide a library of chemical substances for antibacterial screening and drug development. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Inner engineering: Evaluating the utility of mindfulness training to cultivate intrapersonal and interpersonal competencies among first‐year engineering students
Authors: Huerta Mark V. , Carberry Adam R. , Pipe Teri , McKenna Ann F.
Published: July 2021

Background

There is clear consensus among influential education reports that an expansive range of intrapersonal (e.g., self‐regulation) and interpersonal competencies (e.g., empathy) highly influence educational and career success. Research on teaching and learning these competencies is limited in engineering education.

Purpose/Hypothesis

This study explores the impacts of a mindfulness training program on first‐year engineering students and aims to understand potential impacts on the development of intrapersonal and interpersonal competencies.

Design/Method

A four‐session mindfulness‐based program was designed, developed, and facilitated to cultivate intrapersonal and interpersonal competencies. Qualitative data were collected from a total of 35 students through a post‐survey (n = 32), 3‐month follow‐up survey (n = 24), and interviews (n = 18). A thematic analysis process accompanied by validity and trustworthiness checks was employed to analyze the data.

Results

The results suggest that the majority of students became more mindful, which led to improved intrapersonal competencies (e.g., self‐regulation, focus, resilience, and well‐being) and interpersonal competencies (e.g., empathy, communication, teamwork, and leadership).

Discussion/Conclusions

The study provides compelling evidence that mindfulness training can support the development of intrapersonal and interpersonal competencies among engineering students, which can support their overall academic experience, personal, and professional development. Future design and development work will be needed to evaluate the integration and scalability potential of mindfulness training within engineering programs.
Dispersive clean‐up process based on a magnetic graphene oxide nanocomposite for determination of 2‐glycerol monopalmitate in olive oil prior to GC‐FID and GC‐MS analysis
Authors: Rashidi Ladan , Faraji Sarabmirza Rezgar , Joolaei Ahranjani Parham , Hadi Jume Binta , Gholami Zahra , Rashid Nodeh Hamid
Published: July 2021

BACKGROUND

Recently, methods have been developed for the better quality control, fraud detection and analytical investigation of olive oil. Magnetic graphene oxide (GO) material is known for its reusability, high adsorption capability and stability in food sample preparation. Monopalmitine or 2‐glycerol monopalmitate (2‐GMP) is one of the main parameters in the quality assay and classification of olive oil, which can be classified as extra virgin ≤ 0.9% and olive pomace ≤ 1.2. Hence, newly synthesized magnetic GO (MGO) and commercial silica‐gel were used as a dispersive solid‐phase clean‐up (d‐SPE) sorbent to determine 2‐GMP value in olive oil samples prior to gas chromatography (GC) analysis. The d‐SPE method is validated with olive oil certified reference material (CRM) with respect to silica‐gel and a MGO nanocomposite.

RESULTS

The developed d‐SPE method was applied for various virgin, refined and pomace olive oil samples to determine the value of 2‐GMP%. The presence of 2‐GMP in the samples was confirmed by GC‐mass spectrometry analysis based on silylation derivatives of the analyte. Finally, the d‐SPE‐MGO method was determined 2‐GMP% as 1.9% for pomace olive oil, 0.6% for refined olive oil, 0.4% for virgin olive oil and 3.1% for CRM. The MGO provided satisfactory clean‐up recovery (124%) in the acceptable data range for CRM2018, and silica‐gel also provided satisfactory recovery (83%) for CRM2018. The proposed method performed with higher sensitivity and efficiency for screening 2‐GMP% in olive oil.

CONCLUSION

The MGO based d‐SPE method was applied for clean‐up purposes to determine 2‐GMP%. It proved superior via its advantageous features of super quickness, easy isolation with an external magnet and the highly efficient exclusion of all the coexisting interfering peaks conventionally generated with a standard silica‐gel material. These methods based on MGO and silica‐gel are reflected in the dispersive mode of extraction and can be used as alternatives to conventional methods. Considering the benefits of the consumption of significantly fewer sorbents and less time required regarding the dispersive methods, the methods can be utilized as alternatives in contrast to conventional techniques. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Polyester sulfur‐coated urea (PSCU) application enhances brown rice iron concentrations in two alkaline soils
Authors: Yuan Ling , Zhang Zhicheng , Cao Xiaochuang , Wu Lianghuan
Published: July 2021

BACKGROUND

In neutral or alkaline soils, iron (Fe) easily forms insoluble complexes, which makes it difficult for plants to utilize Fe in the soil for nutrition. Polyester sulfur‐coated urea (PSCU) is a novel controlled‐release fertilizer widely used in China and some foreign countries, and it has been proven that sulfur film from controlled‐release fertilizers can significantly improve the activation of Fe and other elements in the soil. However, few studies have focused on the effects of PSCU application on Fe accumulation in rice grain in alkaline soils.

RESULTS

Both our field and pot experiments proved that PSCU application could significantly improve rice grain yield and Fe concentration in brown rice in alkaline soil. This effect differs with different types of alkaline soils (i.e. medium‐saline, sandy soil and/or silt soil). PSCU is released slowly, and the release rate is different in different alkaline soils. Rice shoot nitrogen (N) uptake was significantly enhanced with PSCU application.

CONCLUSION

The results suggested that PSCU application in alkaline soils could significantly enhance brown rice Fe concentration and production. This effect differed with different kinds of alkaline soils. The study identified some efficient fertilizers to improve the Fe status in alkaline soils. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Release of Leu‐Pro‐Pro from corn gluten meal by fermentation with a Lactobacillus helveticus strain
Authors: Ge Hui‐Juan , Zhang Zhi‐Kai , Xiao Jun‐Xia , Tan Hai‐Gang , Huang Guo‐Qing
Published: July 2021

BACKGROUND

Angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory peptides are potential alternatives to the synthetic ACE inhibitory drugs, but the in vivo antihypertensive effects of most of them have not been confirmed. The tripeptide Leu‐Pro‐Pro (LPP) is one of the few peptides that have been proved clinically effective in reducing the blood pressure of hypertensive patients and casein is currently its major source. LPP is contained in multiple fractions of zein, and corn gluten meal (CGM) is hence a potential new source of LPP. For this purpose, CGM was fermented with a Lactobacillus helveticus strain and the medium composition was optimized; the decoloration of the resultant hydrolysate was investigated as well.

RESULTS

LPP could be successfully released from CGM by fermentation with the strain Lactobacillus helveticus CICC 22536. The highest LPP content and protein recovery of 561 mg kg−1 and 14.92% occurred in the medium containing 20 g L−1 glucose, 15 g L−1 beef extract, 60 g L−1 CGM, 10 g L−1 CaCO3, 0.5 g L−1 NaCl, and inoculation amount 6%. The supplementation of Flavourzyme® further improved the two parameters to 662 mg kg−1 and 36.94%, respectively. The permeate of the hydrolysate after ultrafiltration through a 5 kDa membrane could be effectively decolored by the macroporous resin XAD‐16 without notable protein loss, and its LPP content was further boosted to 743 mg kg−1.

CONCLUSION

CGM is a potential new source of LPP and its ultrafiltered and decolored hydrolysate could be used to develop new antihypertensive functional foods. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Miomboconversion to monoculture tree plantations: Changes in soil properties
Authors: Magalhães Tarquinio Mateus , Fanheiro Amélia Saraiva Monguela , Cossa Victoria Norberto
Published: July 2021

Monoculture plantations replacing native woodlands are increasingly common globally. In Mozambique, vastmiombo*woodlands have been replaced by single‐species plantations. Studies on the effect of replacing native woodlands by single‐species tree plantations on soil properties are abundant; however, those focused specifically on the replacement ofmiomboand considering a longer time since replacement and covering different growth stages are scarce. This article aimed at assessing the effects of the conversion ofmiomboto monoculture on soil properties and studying the effect of species planted, plantation age, and rotation on soil capacity to store carbon (C) and nitrogen (N). Plantations established in soils formerly covered bymiombowere compared to the remaining originalmiombowith regard to soil properties. The effect of species planted, plantation age, and rotation on soil properties was examined using the three‐way ANOVA, followed by Tukey's test.Miomboconversion to plantations led to an increase of up to 66% of soil organic C (SOC) and 77% of total N (STN) and a decrease in soil bulk density (BD) of up to 16%. The replacement of the first‐ by second‐rotation plantations led to a decrease of up to 38% in SOC and STN and an increase of up to 32% in BD. BD decreased with plantation age; SOC and STN stocks tended to increase: 60 years after the replacement ofmiomboby plantations, SOC and STN increased by up to 88%. Changes in soil properties due to the replacement ofmiomboby monoculture were mainly driven by the species planted.

* a sparse open deciduous woodland characteristic of dry parts of eastern Africa
Agronomic performance of common and tepary bean genotypes and their response to ashy stem blight in Isabela and Lajas, Puerto Rico
Authors: Viteri Diego M. , Linares Angela M.
Published: July 2021

The seed yield potential ofPhaseolusgenotypes varies according their genetic background, environmental conditions, agronomic management, presence of pathogens, and/or their interactions. We evaluated the agronomic performance of 27 common bean (Phaseolus vulgarisL.) and three tepary bean (P. acutifoliusA. Gray) genotypes and their response to ashy stem blight (ASB) caused byMacrophomina phaseolina(Tassi) Goidanich. The 30 bean genotypes were planted in Isabela and Lajas, Puerto Rico, during 2019–2020. Tepary bean PI 313488 had the higher mean seed yield values (1,077–1,080 kg ha−1), compared with PI 462025 and PI 477037 (187–605 kg ha−1), in Isabela and Lajas on October 2019. Likewise, 92BG‐7, SB‐DT1, SEN 21, SER 16, SER 22, TARS‐MST1, and XAN 176 common bean genotypes had the highest yield in Isabela (>1,300 kg ha−1) and Lajas (>1,000 kg ha−1) on February 2020. Conversely, 92BG‐7, 'Bella', 'Jaguar', 'Matterhorn', SB‐DT1, SEN 3, SEA, and SER breeding lines, 'Tio Canela 75', 'UI 320', USPT‐WM‐1, VA 19, 'Verano', and XAN 176 had the lowest seed yield (<150 kg ha−1) compared with PI 313488, PI 462025, PI 477037, and TARS‐MST1 (345–511 kg ha−1) in Lajas on May 2019. Moreover, higher ASB incidence (47.6–66.3%) and severity (scores of 5.3–5.8) were observed in Lajas than Isabela (36.6–50.0% and 3.6–4.2, respectively). PI 313488 had lower ASB severity (≤4) in both locations, whereas 'Bill‐Z' and 'Matterhorn' were susceptible (>7) in Lajas. Prolonged periods of high temperatures (27.0–30.6°C) at night during reproductive stages apparently affected the seed yield and increased the ASB incidence/severity in Lajas.
Effects of riverine inflows on the climatology of a tropical Andean reservoir
Authors: Posada‐Bedoya Andrés , Gómez‐Giraldo Andrés , Román‐Botero Ricardo
Published: July 2021

Field data and numerical modeling were used to investigate the effects of the riverine inflows on the seasonality of the lake mean temperature, thermal structure, and basin‐scale internal waves in a tropical Andean reservoir. Lake temperature and external forcing were measured during contrasting hydrological periods modulated by severe cold (2011–2012) and warm (2015–2016) phases of El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), a major driver of Andes hydrology. The seasonal heat budget of the reservoir was driven by the competing rates of cooling by the inflow and heating through the surface. As the atmospheric heating rate remained roughly constant, the seasonality of the river inflow heat flux drove the seasonal reservoir temperature. The inflow also intervened on the heat transport within the reservoir and, during dry periods, mixed heat downward from the surface layer and introduced heat at intermediate depths such that a thick metalimnion formed that brought the V2H1 mode into resonance with the diurnal wind forcing. During wet periods, the inflow compressed and cooled the metalimnion, tuning the V1H1 mode to resonate with the diurnal wind. It was also observed that large inflows destroyed temporarily coherent basin‐scale internal wave motions. Because of the dominant role of the inflow on the seasonal reservoir temperature, changes within the reservoir will be more strongly related to changing temperature and volume of the incoming water than atmospheric forcing as in many large natural lakes.
Sulfur isotope fractionations constrain the biological cycling of dimethylsulfoniopropionate in the upper ocean
Authors: Osorio‐Rodriguez Daniela , Razo‐Mejia Manuel , Dalleska Nathan F. , Sessions Alex L. , Orphan Victoria J. , Adkins Jess F.
Published: July 2021

The rapid turnover of dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP), likely the most relevant dissolved organic sulfur compound in the surface ocean, makes it pivotal to understand the cycling of organic sulfur. Dimethylsulfoniopropionate is mainly synthesized by phytoplankton, and it can be utilized as carbon and sulfur sources by marine bacteria or cleaved by bacteria or algae to produce the volatile compound dimethylsulfide (DMS), involved in the formation of sulfate aerosols. The fluxes between the consumption (i.e., demethylation) and cleavage pathways are thought to depend on community interactions and their sulfur demand. However, a quantitative assessment of the sulfur partitioning between each of these pathways is still missing. Here, we report for the first time the sulfur isotope fractionations by enzymes involved in DMSP degradation with different catalytic mechanisms, expressed heterologously in Escherichia coli. We show that the residual DMSP from the demethylation pathway is 2.7‰ enriched in δ 34S relative to the initial DMSP, and that the fractionation factor (34ε) of the cleavage pathways varies between −1 and −9‰. The incorporation of these fractionation factors into mass balance calculations constrains the biological fates of DMSP in seawater, supports the notion that demethylation dominates over cleavage in marine environments, and could be used as a proxy for the dominant pathways of degradation of DMSP by marine microbial communities.
A study of elective genome sequencing and pharmacogenetic testing in an unselected population
Authors: Cochran Meagan , East Kelly , Greve Veronica , Kelly Melissa , Kelley Whitley , Moore Troy , Myers Richard M. , Odom Katherine , Schroeder Molly C. , Bick David
Published: July 2021

Background

Genome sequencing (GS) of individuals without a medical indication, known as elective GS, is now available at a number of centers around the United States. Here we report the results of elective GS and pharmacogenetic panel testing in 52 individuals at a private genomics clinic in Alabama.

Methods

Individuals seeking elective genomic testing and pharmacogenetic testing were recruited through a private genomics clinic in Huntsville, AL. Individuals underwent clinical genome sequencing with a separate pharmacogenetic testing panel.

Results

Six participants (11.5%) had pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants that may explain one or more aspects of their medical history. Ten participants (19%) had variants that altered the risk of disease in the future, including two individuals with clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential. Forty‐four participants (85%) were carriers of a recessive or X‐linked disorder. All individuals with pharmacogenetic testing had variants that affected current and/or future medications.

Conclusion

Our study highlights the importance of collecting detailed phenotype information to interpret results in elective GS.
Design of event‐triggered interval functional observers for systems with input and output disturbances
Authors: Huong D. C. , Huynh V. T. , Trinh H.
Published: July 2021

Design of event‐triggered functional observers for linear systems subject to input and output disturbances is presented in this paper. A new dynamic event‐triggered mechanism is first proposed and then a novel event‐triggered interval functional observer is designed. The designed observer provides upper and lower bounds of the unknown linear function of the state vectors. By constructing a Lyapunov function, conditions ensuring the existence of the event‐triggered functional observer are established. The smallest bound of the estimated error and an effective algorithm for determining observer matrices are also presented. Finally, the obtained results in this paper are used to estimate linear functions of the state vector of a battery and motor circuit model of electric vehicles.
Maintaining reflexivity in qualitative nursing research
Authors: Peddle Monica
Published: July 2021

Aims

Reflexivity is central to the construction of knowledge in qualitative research. This purpose of this paper was to outline one approach when using reflexivity as a strategy to ensure quality of the research process.

Design

In this exploratory research, reflexivity was established and maintained by using repeated questionnaires, completed online. Using the approach presented by Bradbury‐Jones (2007) and Peshkin's I’s, the aim of the research was to identify the researcher's values, beliefs, perspectives and perceptions prevalent in the research.

Methods

Qualitative data were collected in online reflexive questionnaires, completed monthly by the researcher from January 2017 to December 2018. Data analysis used interpretive and reflective reading and inductive processes.

Results

Seventeen questionnaires were analysed. Data indicated use of questionnaires enabled and detailed development of specific strategies to ensure trustworthiness. Importantly, reflexivity, supported by questionnaires, brought about transformation through self‐awareness and enlightenment.
Illness and inclusion: Mobility histories of adolescents with leprosy from Anglo‐Scandinavian Norwich (Eastern England)
Authors: Filipek Kori Lea , Roberts Charlotte A. , Gowland Rebecca L. , Montgomery Janet , Evans Jane A.
Published: July 2021

Leprosy is one of the most notorious diseases in history, widely associated with social stigma and exclusion. This study builds on previous work to reevaluate the medicohistorical evidence for social stigma in relation to leprosy. This is achieved by isotopic and palaeopathological analyses of adolescent skeletons (10–25 years old) from the Anglo‐Scandinavian (10th–11th centuries AD) parish cemetery of St. John at the Castle Gate in Norwich (Eastern England/East Anglia). Core enamel samples from premolar and molar teeth from 10 young individuals with diagnostic lesions for leprosy were selected for radiogenic strontium (87Sr/86Sr) and oxygen (δ18O) stable isotope analyses. Isotope data did not exclude anyone from the regional range. Palaeopathological data and archaeological contexts suggest that those with visible signs of leprosy were buried with their local community and in a normative manner, thus challenging the notion of social exclusion experienced by people with leprosy throughout the Medieval Period. This study underscores the importance of bioarchaeological data in challenging broad medicohistorical and archaeological narratives.
Increasing rates of buprenorphine diversion in the United States, 2002 to 2019
Authors: Buttram Mance E. , Kurtz Steven P. , Margolin Zachary R. , Severtson Stevan Geoffrey
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Recent reports suggest that buprenorphine is being diverted and used non‐medically. However, no apparent studies have reported national‐level data on buprenorphine diversion.

Methods

Case report data were drawn from a quarterly survey of prescription drug diversion completed by a national sample of law enforcement and regulatory agencies who engage in drug diversion investigations. Quarterly rates of buprenorphine diversion per 100 000 population and 100 000 prescriptions dispensed were calculated for the period 2002 through 2019. Population‐based diversion rates were also calculated by U.S. region.

Results

In total, 9670 cases of diverted buprenorphine were reported across all 50 states and the District of Columbia during the study period. Buprenorphine diversion rates, per 100 000 population, were characterized by an accelerating increase over time; increases in diversion rates from 1st quarter 2002 through 4th quarter 2006 were not statistically significant, yet from 1st quarter 2007 through 4th quarter 2019, the rate of diversion cases increased by 0.0067 cases per 100 000 per quarter (p < 0.001). Buprenorphine diversion rates per 100 000 prescriptions dispensed indicated a gradual increase over time; from 3rd quarter 2010 through 4th quarter 2019, diversion rates showed a statistically significant increase of 0.28 cases (p = 0.037) per quarter on average. The Northeast was the only region that did not observe an increase in the average quarterly change in buprenorphine diversion rates after 2006.

Conclusions

Findings from this study illustrate longitudinal national trends of increasing buprenorphine diversion. Continued systematic surveillance of this phenomenon is needed.