bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Parameters Controlling the Uranium Mineralization in the Ingall Sector, Tim Mersoï Basin (Northern Niger)
Authors: Bachir Moussa Dan Dibi , Moustapha Sanda Chékaraou Mahamane , Abdoulwahid Sani , Konaté Moussa , Ahmed Yacouba , Hallarou Mallam Mamane , Abdourazakou Maman Hassan
Published: May 2023

This study focuses on highlighting and controlling of uranium mineralization in the Ingall area (Northern Niger). The study sector is an integral part of the Tim Mersoï basin located to the northern part of the Iullemenden syneclise. Located on the western edge of the Aïr Massif, this basin, known for its uranium mineralizations, has a sedimentary filling ranging from Devonian to Lower Cretaceous. All the sedimentary formations of this basin end in a bevel on the western edge of the Aïr Massif. To carry out this study, the radiometric airborne geophysics technique was first deployed to highlight surface uranium anomalies. These were then verified by ground radiometry technique. The mapping work then identified the major geological structures that controlled the emplacement and distribution of the mineralization. Drilling and logging techniques were used to determine the mineralization host formations, the Assaouas and Tchirezrine-2. The results of this work show two envelopes of surface uranium anomalies at the 100 cps to 200 cps cut-off in the centre of the study area. These anomalies have a vertical extension to a maximum depth of 240 m, where highest values are located. This uranium mineralization occurs as lenticular ore bodies in the Ingall sector. Tectonic structures (normal faults), palaeogeography and chemical elements (reducing elements) are the main factors controlling the concentration and distribution of this mineralization. This study shows that this area, underestimated for decades, is potentially rich in uranium mineralization.
Proximate and Mineral Composition of Ripe Plantain Peels, Palm Oil Mill Slurry Obtained from Different Locations in Edo State, a Part of Southern Nigeria
Authors: Ekhorutomwen V. E. , Nwokoro S. O.
Published: May 2023

This study was initiated to investigate the proximate and some mineral compositions of ripe plantain peels and palm oil mill slurry obtained from some locations in Edo State, Nigeria. Results showed that the ripe plantain peels collected from Auchi, Ekpoma and Benin gave crude protein (CP) of 10.50, 11.08 and 10.50 % respectively; EE of 24.03, 25.02 and 23.84% respectively, Ash of 11.93, 12.47 and 11.00 % and 30.73, 34.87 and 37.15 % for NFE respectively. The results also showed that CF and NFE were significantly (P<0.05) different with regard to Locations as the highest value 10.66 % were obtained from Benin City, which significantly (P<0.05) differ from Ekpoma (7.99 %) and close to the value 9.59 % recorded for Auchi. The proximate composition of the palm oil mill slurry (POMS) from OKOMU, PRESCO, UDO and Benin City revealed crude protein (CP) values of 2.62, 2.04, 3.79 and 3.21 % respectively, EE of 15.76, 17.59, 12.50 and 17.62 % respectively. The comparison between local processor and industrial processor revealed that the locally processed oil palm slurry gave higher crude protein content of 3.50 % compared with 2.33 % from industrially processed slurry and the locally processed slurry had higher crude fat content. This may be accounted for by the efficiency of industrial facilities and processing methods. The results of this study has shown the  proximate composition of ripe plantain peels and palm oil mill slurry as non-conventional feedstuffs that can be used effectively as animal feed to reduce production cost.
Synthesis and Determination of Antimicrobial Efficacies of Secondary Metabolite of Streptomyces longisporoflavus and its 3D-Protein Structural Prediction
Authors: Majolagbe Olusola Nathaniel , Oguntunji Felicia , Adeyeni Ezekiel Gbadebo , Feruke-Bello Yetunde Mutiat , Ezediuno Louis Odinakose
Published: May 2023

Aims: The need for new drug molecules is of high significance considering the rate at which pathogenic bacteria evolve into drug-resistant pathogens. Actinomycetes have been reported as valuable biological agents that possess potent bioactive molecules. This work aims to isolate local strains of actinomycetes in the environment and determine their antimicrobial activities against some clinical isolates.

Study Design: This was an in-vitro study.

Place and Duration of Study: The research was carried out at the Microbial Resources Research Laboratory, Department of Pure and Applied Biology, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Ogbomoso, Nigeria between January 2020 and December, 2021.

Methodology: Phenotypic and molecular methods of identification of the isolated microorganisms were done. A secondary metabolite of the isolate was obtained. An antibiotic sensitivity test of its metabolites was performed using ten (10) clinical isolates; inhibition zones were measured and recorded for each test organism. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to determine the probable bioactive molecules present in the metabolite. The nucleotide sequences of the isolate were translated using Phyre2 and viewed with PyMOL.

Results: The isolate was identified as Streptomyces longisporoflavus. Various zones of inhibition were recorded for each of the tested pathogenic organisms. Five (5) bioactive molecules were identified in the metabolites, with butane-1,1-dibutoxy-2 (1H)-quinolone having the highest peak area. The PYMOL result shows that the protein structure has a 64% identity as a binding molecule.

Conclusion: This study reveals that the local isolates of S. longisporoflavus showed promising antimicrobial potential with bioactive molecules that are potent inhibitors of pathogenic organisms.
Modelling and Optimization of Methane from Anaerobic Digestion of Animal Waste (Pig Dung) with Adaptive Neuro Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS)
Authors: Ekamba Samuel A. , Inyang Uwem E. , Oboh Innocent O.
Published: May 2023

Agricultural wastes have increased in recent times due to an increased need for agricultural products by humans. These wastes causes environmental pollution and hazard to the society. Hence, the need to embark on anaerobic digestion to convert these waste to biogas. Biogas has been proven to be a good alternative to gases produced from fossil fuel due to its environmental friendliness. Production of biogas gases ensures cleaner environment and enhances clean growth. In this study, hydraulic retention time, temperature, moisture content, pH and carbon to nitrogen ratio are the factors used for generating the biogas from anaerobic digestion of pig dung. Independent variables range values obtained for each factor was subjected to design expert software application which gave the factor levels and number of runs under Central Composite Design (CCD) in Design of Experiment (DOE). The data generated from design expert was utilized in the laboratory for biogas yield via bio-digester. Pig dung was made to meet various process conditions after which 2kg of pig dung was feed into a 10liters digester and kept for various days. The yield obtained was subjected to four RSM models (linear model, interaction model, pure-quadratic model and quadratic model), ANFIS model and three kinetic models (gompert, modified gompertz and logistic model). Quadratic model was selected as the best RSM model having the best prediction accuracy performance with R-square value of 73.03%. When compared with ANFIS model, ANFIS model had R-square of 95.9983% there by making it a better model which can be utilized for further analysis. ANFIS was optimized and a three dimensional plot of surface and contour plot were used to determine the effect of the factors on the interaction and the optimal response obtained was 92.36% at hydraulic retention time of 11days, temperature of 50oC, moisture content of 93%, pH value of 7.01 and carbon to nitrogen ratio of 1 which was used as the first guess for kinetic studies. Furthermore, logistic model had the best prediction accuracy with R-square of 68.09% when compared with the other two kinetic models, hence, it was concluded that ANFIS model should be utilized in determination of the yield using the factors and logistic model, this could be used in the study of the anaerobic bio-digesters for the production of biogas from pig dung.
Effects of a Multimodal Transitional Care Intervention in Patients at High Risk of Readmission
Authors: Donzé Jacques , John Gregor , Genné Daniel , Mancinetti Marco , Gouveia Alexandre , Méan Marie , Bütikofer Lukas , Aujesky Drahomir , Schnipper Jeffrey
Published: May 2023

Importance

Hospital readmissions are frequent, costly, and sometimes preventable. Although these issues have been well publicized and incentives to reduce them introduced, the best interventions for reducing readmissions remain unclear.

Objectives

To evaluate the effects of a multimodal transitional care intervention targeting patients at high risk of hospital readmission on the composite outcome of 30-day unplanned readmission or death.

Design, Setting, and Participants

A single-blinded, multicenter randomized clinical trial was conducted from April 2018 to January 2020, with a 30-day follow-up in 4 medium-to-large–sized teaching hospitals in Switzerland. Participants were consecutive patients discharged from general internal medicine wards and at higher risk of unplanned readmission based on their simplified HOSPITAL score (≥4 points). Data were analyzed between April and September 2022.

Interventions

The intervention group underwent systematic medication reconciliation, a 15-minute patient education session with teach-back, a planned first follow-up visit with their primary care physician, and postdischarge follow-up telephone calls from the study team at 3 and 14 days. The control group received usual care from their hospitalist, plus a 1-page standard study information sheet.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Thirty-day postdischarge unplanned readmission or death.

Results

A total of 1386 patients were included with a mean (SD) age of 72 (14) years; 712 (51%) were male. The composite outcome of 30-day unplanned readmission or death was 21% (95% CI, 18% to 24%) in the intervention group and 19% (95% CI, 17% to 22%) in the control group. The intention-to-treat analysis risk difference was 1.7% (95% CI, −2.5% to 5.9%; P = .44). There was no evidence of any intervention effects on time to unplanned readmission or death, postdischarge health care use, patient satisfaction with the quality of their care transition, or readmission costs.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this randomized clinical trial, use of a standardized multimodal care transition intervention targeting higher-risk patients did not significantly decrease the risks of 30-day postdischarge unplanned readmission or death; it demonstrated the difficulties in preventing hospital readmissions, even when multimodal interventions specifically target higher-risk patients.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03496896
Physical Activity Trajectories and Functional Recovery After Acute Stroke Among Adults in Sweden
Authors: Buvarp Dongni , Viktorisson Adam , Axelsson Felix , Lehto Elias , Lindgren Linnea , Lundström Erik , Sunnerhagen Katharina S.
Published: May 2023

Importance

The optimum level and timing of poststroke physical activity interventions to enhance functional recovery remain unclear.

Objective

To assess the level of physical activity in the first 6 months after stroke among individuals with similar physical activity patterns over time and to investigate the association between physical activity trajectories and functional recovery at 6 months after stroke.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cohort study obtained data from the Efficacy of Fluoxetine–a Randomized Controlled Trial in Stroke, which was conducted in 35 stroke and rehabilitation centers across Sweden from October 2014 to June 2019. Adult participants (aged >18 years) were recruited between 2 and 15 days after stroke onset and followed up for 6 months. Participants who withdrew or were lost to follow-up were excluded from the longitudinal analysis. Data analyses were performed between August 15 and October 28, 2022.

Exposures

Physical activity was assessed at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months. Multiple factors associated with physical activity trajectories were investigated. Association of the distinct trajectories with functional recovery was assessed in multivariable logistic regression.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcomes were the distinct physical activity trajectories over time, which were identified using group-based trajectory modeling. The secondary outcome was the functional recovery at 6 months after stroke, which was assessed using the modified Rankin Scale.

Results

Of the 1367 included participants (median [IQR] age, 72 years [65-79] years; 844 males [62%]), 2 distinct trajectory groups were identified: increaser (n = 720 [53%]) and decreaser (647 [47%]). The increaser group demonstrated a significant increase in physical activity level (mean difference, 0.27; linear slope β1 = 0.46; P < .001) and sustained it at light intensity from 1 week to 6 months, whereas the decreaser group showed a decline in physical activity and eventually became inactive (mean difference, −0.26; linear slope β1 = 1.81; P < .001). Male participants and those with normal cognition had higher odds of being in the increaser group, regardless of stroke severity. Increasing physical activity and sustaining it at light intensity were associated with a good functional outcome at 6 months (adjusted odds ratio, 2.54; 99% CI, 1.72-3.75; P < .001).

Conclusions ad Relevance

Results of this study suggest that increased physical activity was associated with functional recovery 6 months after stroke. Interventions targeting individuals with decreasing physical activity in the subacute phase of stroke may play a role in improved functional outcomes.
Patient Experience at US Hospitals Following the Caregiver Advise, Record, Enable (CARE) Act
Authors: Lee Courtney R. , Taggert Elizabeth , Coe Norma B. , Chatterjee Paula
Published: May 2023

Importance

Communication with caregivers is often not established or standardized during hospitalization. The Caregiver Advise, Record, Enable (CARE) Act is a state-level policy designed to facilitate communication among patients, caregivers, and clinical care teams during hospitalization to improve patient experience; 42 states have passed this policy since 2014, but whether it was associated with achieving these goals remains unknown.

Objective

To determine whether passage of the CARE Act was associated with improvements in patient experience.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cohort study used a difference-in-differences analysis of short-term, acute-care US hospitals from 2013 to 2019 to analyze changes in patient experience before vs after CARE Act implementation in hospitals located in states that passed the CARE Act compared with those in states that did not. Analyses were performed between September 1, 2021, and July 31, 2022.

Exposure

Time-varying indicators for whether a hospital was in a state that passed the CARE Act.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Patient-reported experience via the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems survey.

Results

A total of 2763 hospitals were included, with 2188 hospitals in CARE Act states and 575 in non–CARE Act states. There were differential improvements in patient experience in the measures of communication with nurses (unadjusted mean [SD] score, 78.40% [0.42%]; difference, 0.18 percentage points; 95% CI, 0.07-0.29 percentage points; P = .002), communication with physicians (mean [SD] score, 80.00% [0.19%]; difference, 0.17 percentage points; 95% CI, 0.06-0.28 percentage points; P = .002), and receipt of discharge information (mean [SD] score, 86.40% [0.22%]; difference, 0.11 percentage points; 95% CI, 0.02-0.21 percentage points; P = .02) among CARE Act states compared with non–CARE Act states after policy passage. In subgroup analyses, improvements were larger among hospitals with lower baseline Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems performance on measures of communication with nurses, communication with physicians, and overall hospital rating.

Conclusions and Relevance

These findings suggest that implementation of the CARE Act was associated with improvements in several measures of patient experience. Policies that formally incorporate caregivers into patient care during hospitalization may improve patient outcomes.
Physical Fitness and Inflammatory Bowel Disease Risk Among Children and Adolescents in Taiwan
Authors: Wu Chun-Ying , Liang Li-Lin , Ho Hsiu J. , Hsu Chen-Te , Hsu Hsiu-Tao , Ao Chon-Kit , Wu Chen-Yi , Lin Yi-Hsian , Chuang Yi-Fang , Hsu Yao-Chun , Chen Yi-Ju , Ng Siew C.
Published: May 2023

Importance

The incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is increasing in newly industrialized countries but disease etiologies remain unclear.

Objective

To investigate the association between physical fitness and subsequent IBD risk among children and adolescents in Taiwan.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This nationwide cohort study was conducted between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2018. Data sources included the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database, the National Student Fitness Tests Database, and the Air Quality Monitoring System Database. This study included students who were aged 10 years, completed physical fitness tests between grades 4 and 13, and had at least 1 year of follow-up. Data analysis was last performed on January 15, 2023.

Exposures

Physical fitness tests included cardiorespiratory endurance (CE; number of minutes to complete an 800-m run), musculoskeletal endurance (ME; number of bent-leg curl-ups in 1 minute), musculoskeletal power (MP; standing broad jump distance), and flexibility fitness (FF; 2-leg sit-and-reach distance).

Main Outcomes and Measures

Subsequent risk of IBD was compared among students based on physical fitness test results. Six-year cumulative incidences and hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated after adjusting for competing mortality. Performance was reported in quantiles, ranging from 1 (best) to 4 (poorest).

Results

There were 4 552 866 students who completed physical fitness tests between grades 4 and 13; among these students, 1 393 641 were aged 10 years and were included in the analysis. Six-year cumulative incidence of IBD risk was lowest among students in the best-performing quantile of CE (quantile 1, 0.74% [95% CI, 0.63%-0.86%]; P < .001), ME (0.77% [0.65%-0.90%]; P < .001), and MP (0.81% [0.68%-0.93%]; P = .005) compared with students in quantiles 2 through 4, respectively; however, no association was observed for quantiles of FF. After adjusting for competing HRs for mortality and other confounders, better CE was inversely associated with IBD risk (adjusted HR, 0.36 [95% CI, 0.17-0.75]; P = .007). Other measures of physical fitness were not independently associated with IBD risk.

Conclusions and Relevance

The results of this study suggest that CE was inversely associated with IBD risk among children and adolescents, but ME, MP, and FF were not independently associated with IBD risk. Future studies that explore the mechanisms are needed.
Provoking the Outliers: Trajectories for the Near Future Drawn from the Enigmatic Past
Authors: Rashid Hani
Published: May 2023

Evoking a heady mix of the Cranbrook campus viewed from his window and the liquid viscerality of Hieronymus Bosch's Garden of Earthly Delights, which he was architecturally deconstructing at the time, architect and teacher Hani Rashid recounts his days as a Cranbrook student and the profound influence across the decades of those experiences on the work of his New York practice Asymptote Architecture.
Building A Dream: Fertile Ground for Social Good
Authors: Hsiao Yu‐Chih
Published: May 2023

Seduced into applying to Cranbrook by an inspiring lecture given by alumnus Joseph Wong about his experience there during Daniel Libeskind's time, artist, designer and teacher Yu‐Chih Hsiao's world expanded upon his arrival. It incorporated all manner of creative output under the enigmatic yet highly practical Head of Architecture/Architect‐in‐ Residence William E Massie, and so a course was charted that still resonates today in Yu‐Chih's work.
An Architecture of Marks: Reading Histories and Writing Futures
Authors: Eisenbach Ronit
Published: May 2023

Architecture and its materiality can be reread as a series of marks by an architect – traces of things metamorphosing into other things, whether by industrial processes or by handicraft. Ronit Eisenbach was a graduate of the Cranbrook Architecture Department during Architect‐in‐Residence/Head of Department Dan Hoffman's tenure. Those formative couple of years have led her to expand this perception of the world into her teaching and wider practice.
Exploratory randomized phase II trial for optimizing treatment dosage and duration of adjuvant S‐1 plus oxaliplatin in patients with stage III colon cancer: YCOG1402 (SOAP trial)
Authors: Suwa Yusuke , Watanabe Jun , Suwa Hirokazu , Ozawa Mayumi , Momiyama Masashi , Ishibe Atsushi , Nagamine Kotaro , Yamagishi Shigeru , Ota Mitsuyoshi , Fukushima Tadao , Sekido Hitoshi , Saigusa Yusuke , Endo Itaru
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Conventionally, the recommended duration of adjuvant chemotherapy of colon cancer had been 6 months. The IDEA Collaboration suggested that shortening capecitabin and oxaliplatin (CAPOX) adjuvant chemotherapy may be possible. S‐1 and oxaliplatin (SOX) treatment is standard treatment in metastatic colorectal cancer in Japan. The aim of this study was to optimize treatment dosage and duration of adjuvant SOX in stage III colon cancer.

Methods

This trial was as open‐label multi‐center randomized phase II study. Patients with stage III colon cancer were randomly assigned to 3 months or 6 months of adjuvant SOX treatment in different doses: 130 mg/m2 (3 months) or 100 mg/m2 (6 months) of oxaliplatin. The primary endpoint was 3‐year disease‐free survival (DFS) and the null hypothesis for the primary endpoint was that the 3‐year DFS was ≤72% in each arm and was tested with a one‐sided significance level of 10%.

Results

Eighty‐two patients were assigned to the 6 months arm and 81 to the 3 months arm. The 3‐year DFS was 75.0% (80% CI 67.95–80.72, p = 0.282) in the 6 months arm and 76.9% (80% CI 70.1–82.38, p = 0.171) in the 3 months arm. Treatment completion rate and relative dose intensity (RDI) were higher in 3 months than 6 months arm. The adverse events (AE) were similar in both arms.

Conclusions

The 3‐year DFS was not significantly superior to null hypothesis in both 3 months and 6 months arms for the stage III colon cancer. Primary endpoint was not achieved. The SOX regimen was not feasible in long‐term outcomes.
HRCT‐MRI fusion: A novel imaging protocol surpasses current modalities in localizing spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid leaks
Authors: Goyal Sabrina S. , Everett Travis , Reis Martin , Fox Farrell Nyssa , Parsons Matthew S. , Roland Lauren T. , Schneider John S.
Published: May 2023

Key points

HRCT‐MRI fusion is a new imaging modality that can be used to diagnose spontaneous CSF leaks.

HRCT‐MRI fusion has better accuracy in localizing CSF leaks compared to MRI and HRCT alone.
Mechanistic insights for nickel catalyzed light‐assisted carbon–sulfur cross‐coupling reaction
Authors: da Silva Beatriz A. L. , dos Santos Beatriz F. , Domingues Nelson Luís C.
Published: May 2023

The C–S cross‐coupling reaction is a very efficient and powerful tool for constructing C–S bonds. Despite the well‐reported C–S cross‐coupling protocols using aryl halides, this reaction using sp2‐hybridized nonaromatic halides is still challenging. Herein, we report light‐assisted C–S cross‐coupling between thiols and 5‐chlorobenzofurazan under blue LED irradiation. We used a new nickel catalyst to synthesize 11 unpublished compounds. Furthermore, we assessed the mechanism and the influence of light irradiation on this reaction and proposed a plausible mechanism that is mediated by the excited state of the nickel catalyst promoted by irradiation with blue light and the C–S coupling product formed. Notably, C–S cross‐coupling under light irradiation was performed for the first time using a nickel catalyst in the absence of an external photocatalyst. We demonstrated that because nickel has a low energy barrier for oxidative addition, this protocol proceeded efficiently using chlorine as a leaving group, and the excited state of the nickel catalyst promoted reductive elimination with a lower energy barrier. It is important to mention that the procedure was tolerated by many functional groups within the thiol, affording a greater than 99% yield after reacting for 6 h.
Effect of molecular weight on properties of polyarylene ether nitrile‐based flexible copper clad laminate
Authors: Zhang Wanru , He Liang , Wang Ting , Liu Xiaobo , Tong Lifen
Published: May 2023

A series of Polyarylene ether nitriles (PENs) with different molecular weights were synthesized and studied the effect of molecular weight size on the performance of PEN and PEN‐based flexible copper clad laminate (FCCL). It shows that these PENs have excellent thermal properties with Tg > 200°C, T5% > 500°C, and a long service life at 200°C (2.64 × 103 min, 95 wt% of the residual weight). The tensile mechanical properties of PENs increase gradually as the molecular weight of PENs increases, and the water absorption decreases with the increasing molecular weight of PENs. However, the peer strength of FCCL showed an opposite trend compared to the tensile properties of pure PEN, and the PEN‐2 shows the largest peer strength of 12.79 N/cm. Combining the thermal properties, mechanical properties, water absorption rate of PENs, and the peel strength and flexibility of FCCL, PEN‐2 is considered to be the most suitable for FCCL.
Study on the mechanical, friction and wear properties of modified polyoxymethylene under free abrasive condition
Authors: Su Yongxiang , Gao Qian , Chang Yuchong , Chen Guang , Wei Changxu , Ren Chengzu
Published: May 2023

The mechanical, friction and wear properties of different modified polyoxymethylene (POM) are presented in the paper under free abrasive grinding condition. The shore hardness and elastic modulus of the POM matrix increased with carbon fiber (CF) filling, its shore hardness and elastic modulus were 85 HD and 5000 MPa, respectively. The hardness and elastic modulus of the POM matrix decreased with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and graphite (C) filling. The average coefficient of friction of POM was 0.254. When PTFE, CF, and graphite were added, the coefficient of friction of the POM would be reduced under free abrasive condition. The coefficient of friction of POM filled with PTFE or graphite was about 0.15, the coefficient of friction of POM filled with CF was about 0.18. It could be seen from the orthogonal test analysis that the wear resistance of four types of materials was CF‐POM > POM > PTFE‐POM > C‐POM. When the test duration was 1.5 h, the wear amount of C‐POM was between 3 and 9 mg, the wear amount of CF‐POM was less than 1.23 mg. The speed and load were the main factors affecting the wear amount of these materials, followed by the abrasive particle diameter, and the abrasive mass fraction had the least effect on them.
Facile synthesis of ZIF‐67@PVA/CA nanofibrous aerogel as efficient and recyclable catalyst for the degradation of organic pollutants through peroxymonosulfate activation
Authors: Jiang Guojun , Wang Jiajun , Song Yuanyuan , Chen Weizhong , Ye Yvnuo , Zeng Xingyao , Feng Yujie , Zhang Caidan , Zhang Sai , Ye Xiangyu
Published: May 2023

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are one of the most promising advanced heterogeneous catalysts for the activation of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) to degrade organic contaminants in water, and have been extensively studied. However, MOFs in powder form usually have the disadvantage of poor separation and regeneration, making it significantly challenging for practical applications. In this study, ultralight zeolitic imidazolate framework‐67@poly(vinyl alcohol)/citric acid nanofibrous aerogel (ZIF‐67@PVA/CA NFA) was prepared by a convenient and facile in‐situ growth method and it had excellent catalytic efficiency and recyclability. The factors affecting the activation of PMS by ZIF‐67@PVA/CA NFA, such as PMS concentration, reaction temperature, solution pH, and organic pollutant concentration, were investigated. Taking advantage of the distinctive structural characteristics of MOF and nanofibrous aerogels, the obtained ZIF‐67@PVA/CA NFA exhibited ultralow density, hierarchical porosity, remarkably high catalytic activity for activation of PMS for the degradation of organic pollutants. Furthermore, ZIF‐67@PVA/CA NFA also displayed excellent recyclability along with retention of high catalytic stability. The present study provides a new strategy for the efficient fabrication of three‐dimensional heterogeneous catalyst for the activation of PMS, with great potential in wastewater treatment.
Advances in the application of label‐free quantitative proteomics techniques in malignancy research
Authors: Meng Xiao , Liu Dong , Guan Yan
Published: May 2023

Proteomics is the scientific discipline that deals with the protein composition of cells, tissues, and organisms and their patterns of change. It is considered an invaluable tool for tackling many challenges faced in medicine and biology. Among the available approaches, label‐free quantitative proteomics techniques are extensively used to study malignant tumors due to their low cost, simple operation, and short cycle time. Therefore, it provides a novel approach to explore the pathogenesis, diagnostic markers, and targeted drugs of malignant tumors. Here, we summarize the research progress and potential of label‐free quantitative proteomics and discuss the application of such techniques in the research on malignancies.
Organisational drivers and sustainability implementation in the mining industry: A holistic theoretical framework
Authors: Amoah Prince , Eweje Gabriel
Published: May 2023

While few studies have examined the role of institutional pressures on sustainable business practices, there is a dearth of empirical research regarding the influence of internal organisational characteristics on sustainability implementation in developing countries. This paper examines internal organisational features and how they influence multinational companies (MNCs) operating in a resource‐rich developing country to embrace and embed sustainability into corporate policies and practices. The findings show that the history of past sustainable practices, the level of internationalisation and managerial cognition internally drive MNCs to implement sustainability in their host countries. We discuss that managerial cognition drives MNCs to embrace sustainability in non‐enabling institutional environments based on private morality and perceived ethical obligation. Accordingly, we have proposed a holistic theoretical framework for sustainability implementation based on external drivers, institutional voids and complexity and the moderating role of internal organisational features.
Saving teeth: Revisited. Esthetic improvement and long‐term periodontal stability of a pathologic tooth migration case: An 84‐month follow‐up
Authors: Georgantza Aikaterini , Manasse Maryse , Tupinambá Rogerio , Nobrega Celestino , Pigliacelli Steven , Cheng Paul Yu Yung , Starace Jason , Palomo Leena
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Advances in implant dentistry, often influence our clinical treatment planning and steer us as periodontists from our fundamental values of preserving teeth. Pathologic tooth migration (PTM) of maxillary anterior teeth is a common sequela of periodontitis in patients and results in significant esthetic and functional problems. Patients’ growing concern about the esthetics of their teeth and their fears of losing teeth are often reasons for them to seek treatment. We commonly assign a hopeless prognosis to these pathologically migrated teeth because of the significant loss of periodontal support and go with the “safer” choice of replacing them with implants. The purpose of this case report is to present the long‐term (7‐year) periodontal stability of compromised teeth and to emphasize the successful outcomes achieved when orthodontics, non‐surgical periodontal, and restorative treatments are combined.

Methods and Results

A 38‐year‐old, otherwise healthy male with compromised function and esthetics, PTM, periodontal disease, and missing teeth presented to our clinic. Primary treatment objectives were to 1) eliminate the periodontal inflammation and 2) restore and stabilize the occlusion by employing non‐surgical periodontal treatment, adult orthodontics, and prosthodontics. Following interdisciplinary treatment, clinical and radiographic re‐evaluation revealed significant clinical attachment gain, reduction in tooth mobility, favorable esthetics, and better overall prognosis. At an 84‐month follow‐up, the patient was periodontally healthy and retained his natural dentition.

Conclusions

Interdisciplinary collaboration along with patient compliance may increase the longevity of periodontally compromised teeth and improve esthetics for periodontitis patients who suffer from PTM. Such long‐term favorable outcomes reaffirm the value of classic periodontal treatment and the success of multidisciplinary treatment to save teeth as a viable alternative to the extraction of teeth and the placement of implant retained restorations.
Neuromarketing as a scale validation tool: Understanding individual differences based on the style of processing scale in affective judgements
Authors: Lin Meng‐Hsien (Jenny) , Jones William , Childers Terry L.
Published: May 2023

This paper revisits a well‐cited and widely applied consumer scale, Style of Processing (SOP) (Childers et al., Journal of Consumer Research, 1985, 12, 125), that has been used to investigate individual differences in processing visual versus verbal information in marketing. The scale has advanced knowledge in fields related to marketing communications, product development, psychology, advertising, education and learning theories, shedding light on our understanding of consumer psychology related to persuasion, comprehension, memory, and other consumer cognitive processes involving information. In a research dialog that took place in 2008, a need for further SOP validation was suggested using a neuromarketing approach. We took this call forward and conducted an event‐related‐potential (ERP) experimental research study using electroencephalogram (EEG) to validate the SOP scale, focusing on differential affective processing between verbalizers and visualizers. We not only demonstrate how neuromarketing tools can be utilized to provide evidence for scale validity, providing advantages over self‐reported measures; but more importantly, address issues related to understanding differential fluency effects that exist between visualizers and verbalizers. Behavioral data revealed varying reaction times to emotional stimuli of a pictorial nature. We further identify two ERP components in our data, early left anterior negativity (ELAN) and late negative slow wave (LNSW), that differentiate individual processing fluency in affective versus evaluative‐based judgements. Findings confirmed the construct validity of the SOP scale and enhance our understanding of individual differences in emotional processing of pictorial information.
Organocatalytic‐racemization reaction elucidation of aspartic acid by density functional theory
Authors: Watanabe Natsuki , Hori Yuta , Shoji Mitsuo , Boero Mauro , Shigeta Yasuteru
Published: May 2023

Aldehydes and carboxylic acids are widely used as catalysts for efficient racemization process of amino acids. However, the detailed reaction mechanism remains unclear. This work aims to clarify the racemization mechanism of aspartic acid (Asp) catalyzed by salicylaldehyde and acetic acid by using computational approaches. Density functional theory was used to obtain the structures and relative energies of 10 intermediates and five transition states, thus characterizing the main stages of the reaction. The calculated energy diagram shows that the dehydration step has the highest energy barrier, followed by the reaction step to change the chirality of Asp, which is a crucial process for racemization. In the dehydration reaction, water molecules can induce a remarkable decrease in the required energy.
Sustainability‐oriented innovations – Enhancing factors and consequences
Authors: Taneja Alpana , Goyal Vinay , Malik Kunjana
Published: May 2023

This study aims to explore internal firm factors that enhance sustainability‐oriented product and process innovations. Formulated on resource‐based theories and the Porter hypothesis, it further investigates the impact of these innovations on the economic performance of firms. Adopting a quantitative research methodology, the study uses partial least squares structural equation modelling on data collected from 251 middle to senior management employees working in manufacturing‐based consumer goods firms. Dynamic capabilities, sustainable organisational innovations and smart technologies are concluded as significant factors that enhance sustainability‐oriented innovations. A strong positive impact of sustainability‐oriented innovations on organisation's economic performance is established, with green competitive advantage playing a strong mediating role and green image as a weak mediating variable. Interesting insights are gained in action‐identity‐image relationships. A strong positive relationship is established between sustainability‐oriented innovations and green organisational identity. Green organisational identity further promotes green image through green commitment. The study provides managers insights on internal factors that encourage sustainable innovations and harness right opportunities to ensure economic success. The interplay between action, identity, and image provides policymakers right tools to frame appropriate strategies to create sustainability orientation. The study has limitations as it is cross sectional and hence fails to capture the dynamics over time and it uses subjective measures.
In vitro and in vivo metabolism of 3‐Methoxyeticyclidine in human liver microsomes, a zebrafish model, and two human urine samples based on liquid chromatography–high‐resolution mass spectrometry
Authors: Xu Linhao , Liu Xinze , Song Zixuan , Xiang Ping , Hang Taijun , Yan Hui
Published: May 2023

3‐Methoxyeticyclidine (3‐MeO‐PCE), a phencyclidine‐type substance, has a higher N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptor binding affinity than phencyclidine and an involvement in fatal intoxication cases. The aim of this study was to identify new biomarkers and biotransformation pathways for 3‐MeO‐PCE. In vitro models were established using zebrafish and human liver microsomes for analysis of the phases I and II metabolites of 3‐MeO‐PCE by liquid chromatography–high‐resolution mass spectrometry. Urine samples of known 3‐MeO‐PCE consumers in forensic cases were then subjected to analysis. Overall, 14 metabolites were identified in zebrafish and human liver microsomes, allowing postulation of the following metabolic pathways: hydroxylation, O‐demethylation, N‐dealkylation, dehydrogenation, combination, and glucuronidation or sulfation. 3‐MeO‐PCE and three metabolites (M2, M3, and M6) were detected in urine. We recommended M2 (the hydroxylation product) as a potential biomarker for documenting 3‐MeO‐PCE intake in clinical and forensic cases.
Potential new species of pseudaliid lung nematode (Metastrongyloidea) from two stranded neonatal orcas (Orcinus orca) characterized by ITS‐2 and COI sequences
Authors: Lehnert Kristina , Boyi Joy Ometere , Siebert Ursula
Published: May 2023

Knowledge about parasite species of orcas, their prevalence, and impact on the health status is scarce. Only two records of lungworm infections in orca exist from male neonatal orcas stranded in Germany and Norway. The nematodes were identified as Halocercus sp. (Pseudaliidae), which have been described in the respiratory tract of multiple odontocete species, but morphological identification to species level remained impossible due to the fragile structure and ambiguous morphological features. Pseudaliid nematodes (Metastrongyloidea) are specific to the respiratory tract of toothed whales and are hypothesized to have become almost extinct in terrestrial mammals. Severe lungworm infections can cause secondary bacterial infections and bronchopneumonia and are a common cause of mortality in odontocetes. DNA isolations and subsequent sequencing of the rDNA ITS‐2 and mtDNA COI revealed nucleotide differences between previously described Halocercus species from common dolphin (H. delphini) and harbor porpoises (H. invaginatus) that were comparatively analyzed, pointing toward a potentially new species of pseudaliid lungworm in orcas. New COI sequences of six additional metastrongyloid lungworms of seals and porpoises were derived to elucidate phylogenetic relationships and differences between nine species of Metastrongyloidea.
High‐performance computational homogenization of Stokes–Brinkman flow with an Anderson‐accelerated FFT method
Authors: Chen Yang
Published: May 2023

Fluid flow problems in bi‐porous media have strong implications in a variety of industrial applications, such as nuclear waste disposal and composites manufacturing. Despite various numerical solutions proposed in the literature, the prediction of dual‐scale flow remains a challenging task due to the requirement of fine meshes to resolve the complex microstructures of bi‐porous media. This paper introduces a new numerical solver based on fast Fourier transform (FFT) for the Stokes–Brinkman problem to predict fluid flow in bi‐porous media with local anisotropy. The novel FFT solver is derived from a velocity‐form of the problem, in contrast to the stress‐form proposed by a recent work. The Anderson acceleration technique is applied for the first time to the Stokes–Brinkman problem, leading to a substantial (orders of magnitude) improvement of the convergence rate. A range of detailed numerical examples are provided to validate the method against the analytical and literature results. Parametric studies are also demonstrated to aid in the selection of model parameters to achieve optimum numerical performance. With a 3D unit cell of a woven textile fabric, we demonstrate that the proposed method is capable of handling high‐resolution simulations with strongly heterogeneous microstructures. Combined with a parallelized implementation over high‐performance computing systems, our method demonstrates a new state‐of‐the‐art in numerical solvers for the Stokes‐Brinkman problem, in terms of computation capacity.
Climate‐induced organic matter enrichment in lacustrine basin: Insights from the Palaeogene–Neogene oil shale in the Lunpola Basin (Tibet, China)
Authors: Lu Jiang , Fu Xiugen , Du Qiuding , Nie Ying , Wei Hengye , Zhou Gang , Wang Wenzhi
Published: May 2023

Lacustrine rift basins are ideal continental settings for understanding organic matter (OM) accumulation mechanisms, because lacustrine deposits are most sensitive to variable climatic and palaeoenvironmental conditions. The Lunpola Basin is a Cenozoic lacustrine rift basin with widespread oil shale depositions that provide a valuable example of triggering factors that controlled OM accumulation. In the investigated interval of the basin, high Si, Ti, Zr, Th, Al and rare earth element concentrations suggest high clastic fluxes during the oil shale deposition. These high clastic fluxes could be attributed to warm and humid climates due to high values of ln(Al2O3/Na2O) and C‐value (Ʃ (Fe + Mn + Cr + Ni + V + Co)/Ʃ (Ca + Mg + Sr + Ba + K + Na)). The Lunpola shales and oil shales were deposited in saltwater environments under enhanced dysoxic to anoxic conditions with high palaeoproductivity. In the Lunpola Basin, climate warming can be subdivided into two different stages based on C‐value and ln(Al2O3/Na2O) variations. Each stage is consistent with an increase in the primary productivity of the palaeolake. Thus, a model for climate‐induced OM enrichment in lacustrine rift basins is proposed, which indicates that climate and primary productivity are the key factors controlling OM accumulation.
Associations between psychological resilience and metrics of white matter microstructure in pediatric concussion
Authors: Brown Olivier , Healey Katherine , Fang Zhuo , Zemek Roger , Smith Andra , Ledoux Andrée‐Anne
Published: May 2023

This study investigated associations between psychological resilience and characteristics of white matter microstructure in pediatric concussion. This is a case control study and a planned substudy of a larger randomized controlled trial. Children with an acute concussion or orthopedic injury were recruited from the emergency department. Participants completed both the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale 10 and an MRI at 72 h and 4‐weeks post‐injury. The association between resiliency and fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), axial diffusivity (AD), and radial diffusivity (RD) at both timepoints were examined. We examined whether these associations were moderated by group. The association between resiliency captured at 72 h and diffusion tensor imaging metrics at 4 weeks was also investigated. Clusters were extracted using a significance threshold of threshold‐free cluster enhancement corrected p < .05. A total of 66 children with concussion (median (IQR) age = 12.88 (IQR: 11.80–14.36); 47% female) and 29 children with orthopedic‐injury (median (IQR) age = 12.49 (IQR: 11.18–14.01); 41% female) were included. A negative correlation was identified in the concussion group between 72 h resilience and 72 h FA. Meanwhile, positive correlations were identified in the concussion group with concussion between 72 h resilience and both 72 h MD and 72 h RD. These findings suggest that 72 h resilience is associated with white matter microstructure of the forceps minor, superior longitudinal fasciculus, and anterior thalamic radiation at 72 h post‐concussion. Resilience seems to be associated with neural integrity only in the acute phase of concussion and thus may be considered when researching concussion recovery.
Characterization of an automated method to segment the human locus coeruleus
Authors: Sibahi Ahmad , Gandhi Rushali , Al‐Haddad Rami , Therriault Joseph , Pascoal Tharick , Chamoun Mira , Boutin‐Miller Krysta , Tardif Christine , Rosa‐Neto Pedro , Cassidy Clifford M.
Published: May 2023

Following the development of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods to assay the integrity of catecholamine nuclei, including the locus coeruleus (LC), there has been an effort to develop automated methods that can accurately segment this small structure in an automated manner to promote its widespread use and overcome limitations of manual segmentation. Here we characterize an automated LC segmentation approach (referred to as the funnel‐tip [FT] method) in healthy individuals and individuals with LC degeneration in the context of Alzheimer's disease (AD, confirmed with tau‐PET imaging using [18F]MK6240). The first sample included n = 190 individuals across the AD spectrum from cognitively normal to moderate AD. LC signal assayed with FT segmentation showed excellent agreement with manual segmentation (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] = 0.91). Compared to other methods, the FT method showed numerically higher correlation to AD status (defined by presence of tau: Cohen's d = 0.64) and AD severity (Braak stage: Pearson R = −.35, cognitive function: R = .25). In a separate sample of n = 12 control participants, the FT method showed excellent scan–rescan reliability (ICC = 0.82). In another sample of n = 30 control participants, we found that the structure of the LC defined by FT segmentation approximated its expected shape as a contiguous line: <5% of LC voxels strayed >1 voxel (0.69 mm) from this line. The FT LC segmentation shows high agreement with manual segmentation and captures LC degeneration in AD. This practical method may facilitate larger research studies of the human LC‐norepinephrine system and has potential to support future use of neuromelanin‐sensitive MRI as a clinical biomarker.