bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Pincer Platform Beyond Classical Coordination Patterns
Authors: Vogt Matthias , Langer Robert
Published: August 2020

The pincer platform provides increased stability and often a rigid coordination mode in transition metal complexes that allows for the incorporation of reactive functional groups in the coordination sphere of a metal. Classical coordination patterns in pincer‐type complexes were established over the past decades, involving a preferred set of binding sites. In the current review, we discuss pincer‐type ligands with remarkable bonding situations and reactivity patterns, which are beyond the privileged ligand systems frequently used in homogeneous catalysis and bond activation reactions. This includes ligands with ligating atoms based on metalloid elements, π‐systems as well as different kinds of metallo‐ligands. We categorize the discussed pincer‐type ligands herein according to the covalent bond classification and distinguish between metallo‐ligands and ligands, which are based on nonmetal and metalloid elements.
Ruthenium Catalyzed ortho C–H Alkenylation of β‐Carbolines and Isoquinolines Using Terminal Alkynes for the Extended π‐Systems and their Biological Evaluation
Authors: Srinath Santhanam , Gopalakrishnan Durairaj , Ganeshpandian Mani , Abinaya Ramu , Baskar Baburaj
Published: August 2020

A systematic screening study on ortho C–H alkenylation of β‐carbolines with terminal alkynes using different transition metal catalysts is described. The investigation clearly shows that [Ru(p‐cymene)Cl2]2 catalyst is suitable for the C–H alkenylation of β‐carbolines as the substrate as well as directing group. The selective formation of monoalkenylated products was accomplished in good to excellent yields. Various substrates with excellent functional group tolerance for C1‐phenyl/thienyl‐β‐carbolines and 6,7‐dimethoxyisoquinolines was demonstrated. A number of novel alkenylated β‐carbolines (3a–3m) and 6,7‐dimethoxy isoquinolines (7a–7h) was achieved in (63–85 %) and (81–89 %) yields respectively. Also, the newly synthesized alkenylated β‐carbolines and isoquinolines were investigated for their anticancer activity.
Assessing diversity in canopy architecture, photosynthesis, and water‐use efficiency in a cowpea magic population
Authors: Digrado Anthony , Mitchell Noah G. , Montes Christopher M. , Dirvanskyte Paulina , Ainsworth Elizabeth A.
Published: August 2020

Optimizing crops to improve light absorption and CO2assimilation throughout the canopy is a proposed strategy to increase yield and meet the needs of a growing population by 2050. Globally, the greatest population increase is expected to occur in Sub‐Saharan Africa where large yield gaps currently persist; therefore, it is crucial to develop high‐yielding crops adapted to this region. In this study, we screened 50 cowpea (Vigna unguiculata(L.) Walp) genotypes from the multi‐parent advanced generation inter‐cross (MAGIC) population for canopy architectural traits, canopy photosynthesis, and water‐use efficiency using a canopy gas exchange chamber in order to improve our understanding of the relationships among those traits. Canopy architecture contributed to 38.6% of the variance observed in canopy photosynthesis. The results suggest that the light environment within the canopy was a limiting factor for canopy CO2assimilation. Traits favoring greater exposure of leaf area to light such as the width of the canopy relative to the total leaf area were associated with greater canopy photosynthesis, especially in canopies with high biomass. Canopy water‐use efficiency was highly determined by canopy photosynthetic activity and therefore canopy architecture, which indicates that optimizing the canopy will also contribute to improving canopy water‐use efficiency. We discuss different breeding strategies for future programs aimed at the improvement of cowpea yield for the Sub‐Saharan African region. We show that breeding for high biomass will not optimize canopy CO2assimilation and suggest that selection should include multiple canopy traits to improve light penetration.
New series of surgical design for anterior maxillary reconstruction with deep circumflex iliac artery flap
Authors: Jie Bimeng , Lv Xiaoming , Zheng Lei , Zhang Yi , He Yang
Published: August 2020

Microsurgical reconstruction for anterior maxillary defects presents a surgical challenge. The objective of this study was to ascertain the feasibility of a new series of intraoral surgical approach using deep circumflex iliac artery (DCIA) flap to achieve functional reconstruction for anterior maxillary defects. Two male patients with anterior maxillary defects (Brown Class IC) were treated in this study. Both patients underwent computer‐assisted maxillary reconstruction with a DCIA flap (with pedicle positioning laterally to the bony flap) using intraoral anastomosis techniques. The overall DCIA flap survival rate was 100% and mucosa was all healed uneventfully. One patient received dental implantation and loaded with prosthetic superstructures. Both patients were satisfied with their postoperative oral function and appearance. This study illustrated a new and feasible series of surgical design for anterior maxillary bone defect reconstruction with DCIA flaps and intraoral anastomosis assisted by digital techniques.
Asymmetric impact of oil price on trade balance in BRICS countries: Multiplier dynamic analysis
Authors: Ahad Muhammad , Anwer Zaheer
Published: August 2020

This paper examines the impact of oil prices on the trade balance by incorporating wholesale prices and an industrial production proxy for economic activity as supporting variables for the BRICS countries. Quarter frequency data from 1992 to 2015 is used. Keeping in view the structural breaks and resulting asymmetries, long‐run and short‐run dynamic estimations are conducted using the nonlinear ARDL approach proposed by Shin, Yu, and Greenwood‐Nimmo. We find a positive and significant asymmetric relationship between oil prices and the trade balance in Brazil, India, China and South Africa. The asymmetries of wholesale prices also have a positive and significant effect on the trade balance in the cases of Russia, India and South Africa. The asymmetries of industrial production have a significant but negative impact on the trade balance for India and South Africa. These nonlinear and diverse relationships of oil prices, wholesale prices and economic activity with the trade balance are also confirmed by long‐run parameters for BRICS countries. This study opens some new insights for policy making.
Toxicity of iron nanoparticles towards primary cultures of human bronchial epithelial cells
Authors: Canivet Ludivine , Denayer Franck‐Olivier , Dubot Pierre , Garçon Guillaume , Lo Guidice J.‐M.
Published: August 2020

Air pollution is a public health issue and the toxicity of ambient particulate matter (PM) is well‐recognized. Although it does not mostly contribute to the total mass of PM, increasing evidence indicates that the ultrafine fraction has generally a greater toxicity than the others do. A better knowledge of the underlying mechanisms involved in the pathological disorders related to nanoparticles (NPs) remains essential. Hence, the goal of this study was to determine better whether the exposure to a relatively low dose of well‐characterized iron‐rich NPs (Fe‐NPs) might alter some critical toxicological endpoints in a relevant primary culture model of human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs). We sought to use Fe‐NPs representative of those frequently found in the industrial smokes of metallurgical industries. After having noticed the effective internalization of Fe‐NPs, oxidative, inflammatory, DNA repair, and apoptotic endpoints were investigated within HBECs, mainly through transcriptional screening. Taken together, these results revealed that, despite it only produced relatively low levels of reactive oxygen species without any significant oxidative damage, low‐dose Fe‐NPs quickly significantly deregulated the transcription of some target genes closely involved in the proinflammatory response. Although this inflammatory process seemed to stay under control over time in case of this acute scenario of exposure, the future study of its evolution after a scenario of repeated exposure could be very interesting to evaluate the toxicity of Fe‐NPs better.
Atherosclerosis and carcinoma: Two facets of dysfunctional cholesterol homeostasis
Authors: Chandra Nimai C.
Published: August 2020

Although cholesterol is an essential and necessary component for biological systems; inappropriate accumulation of cholesterol in blood vessels and intracellular territory is also detrimental to living things. On one hand, cholesterol is the acting precursor of many metabolic regulators, a component of the structural veracity and scaffold fluidity of biomembranes, an insulator of electrical transmission in nerves and many more; on the other hand, its deposition in blood vessels induces atherosclerotic plaque and cardiovascular complications with the consequences of heart attack and stroke. It is also an emerging fact that cholesterol is a prelate in the cell nucleus for cell proliferation and any oddity in this venture may be the cause of tumorigenesis. Hence, cholesterol homeostasis is a very crucial element in issues of health management. Cholesterol is now a global target for maintaining quality health, particularly to control the two giants of the present world health tragedy: atherosclerosis and carcinoma, which appear to be the two facets of dysfunctional cholesterol homeostasis.
Affinity‐switchable biotin probes for the analysis of enzymes and small reactive molecules on microarray platform
Authors: Wu Chia‐Lin , Fan Chen‐Yo , Lin Chun‐Cheng , Tan Kui‐Thong
Published: August 2020

Array‐based analytical platforms have a distinct advantage of being able to detect analytes rapidly and simultaneously with the use of very small quantities of reagents and samples. However, the analyses of enzyme activities using this technique remain challenging, as the heterogeneous interface between the enzyme in the solution and the probe on the array surface impede the efficient binding and the subsequent enzymatic reaction. In this paper, we showed that the combination of affinity‐switchable biotin (ASB) probes and a novel click‐chemistry based immobilization method can overcome this heterogeneity problem. Three ASB probes were synthesized for the detection of alkaline phosphatase, nitroreductase, and the fluoride ion. This approach can be applied to determine the relative levels of phosphatase in different cell lines. We believe that the new strategy holds great potential for the effective sensing of a wide range of biomolecules in the future.
Low serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D levels are associated with perennial allergic rhinitis but not disease severity
Authors: Ma Yan , Liu Yehai , Li Xiaohong , Qiu Jianxin , Fang Ping
Published: August 2020

Background

Vitamin D deficiency plays an essential role in allergic rhinitis(AR), but the role of vitamin D deficiency in perennial allergic rhinitis (pAR) remains unclear. Therefore, our study explored 25(OH)D levels in patients with pAR and healthy individuals in a single center in China for three years.

Methods

A total of 655 patients with pAR and 682 healthy controls were enrolled in this study from 2015 to 2017. Patients' clinical history and symptoms were recorded. sIgE tests were performed using the allergen detection system (UniCAP), and the ADVIA centaur XP system (SIEMENS) was used to measure serum 25(OH)D levels.

Results

Serum 25(OH)D levels were significantly different between the pAR group and control group over the three‐year study period(all P < .05). Specifically, 25(OH)D levels were decreased in the pAR groups over three years. Serum25(OH)D deficiency, insufficiency, and sufficiency were noted in 66.9% ~71.9%, 22.5% ~29.4%, and 2.5%~5.6%, respectively, of patients in the pAR group and 53.2%~60.7%, 31.4%~36.6%, and 7.9% ~11.4%, respectively, of participants in the control group. We did not identify significant associations between serum 25(OH)D levels and clinical characteristics of patients with pAR over the three‐year period (all P > .05) after adjusting for sex, age, duration of disease, total nasal symptom score (TNSS), sIgE levels, number of positive allergens, and family history.

Conclusion

pAR patients exhibited lower serum 25(OH)D levels compared with healthy people with a high prevalence of 25(OH)D deficiency or insufficiency. We did not identify a significant correlation between 25(OH)D and pAR associated factors.
NEETs in Latin America and the Caribbean: Skills, Aspirations, and Information
Authors: Alvarado Alfredo , Conde Belén , Novella Rafael , Repetto Andrea
Published: August 2020

This paper studies the role of cognitive skills, socioemotional skills, aspirations and expectations on the likelihood of being NEET (not in education, employment or training) using a novel sample of 15 to 24 year old residents of seven Latin American and Caribbean countries. After controlling for sociodemographic household conditions, we find that numeracy and literacy skills, core self‐evaluation, extraversion and educational aspirations are robust correlates of being NEET. We also find cross country heterogeneity. That is, in some countries, passion and perseverance for long‐term goals, neuroticism and labour market information biases are additional factors associated with being NEET. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The arrival and spread of SARS‐CoV‐2 in Colombia
Authors: Ramírez Juan David , Florez Carolina , Muñoz Marina , Hernández Carolina , Castillo Adriana , Gomez Sergio , Rico Angelica , Pardo Lisseth , Barros Esther C. , Castañeda Sergio , Ballesteros Nathalia , Martínez David , Vega Laura , Jaimes Jesús E. , Cruz‐Saavedra Lissa , Herrera Giovanny , Patiño Luz H. , Teherán Aníbal A. , Gonzalez‐Reiche Ana S. , Hernandez Matthew M. , Sordillo Emilia Mia , Simon Viviana , van Bakel Harm , Paniz‐Mondolfi Alberto
Published: August 2020

We performed phylogenomic analysis of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2 from 88 infected individuals across different regions of Colombia. Eleven different lineages were detected, suggesting multiple introduction events. Pangolin lineages B.1 and B.1.5 were the most frequent, with B.1 being associated with prior travel to high‐risk areas.
The structure and stability analysis of the pea seed legumin glycosylated by oligochitosan
Authors: Yang Rui , Liu Mengyao , Liu Yuqian , Meng De‐Mei , Ma Tianhua , Wang Cheng‐Tao , Liu Jie , Wang Qiaoe , Zhou Zhongkai
Published: August 2020

BACKGROUND

The functionality of pea proteins is relatively weak relative to that of soybean proteins, which limits the application of pea proteins in food and nutritional applications. Glycosylation is a promising approach to influence the protein structure and in turn change the functional properties of pea proteins.

RESULTS

In this study, the effect of transglutaminase‐induced oligochitosan glycosylation on the structural and functional properties of pea seed legumin was studied. Different oligochitosan‐modified legumin complexes (OLCs) were prepared by applying different molar ratios of legumin to oligochitosan (1:1 to 1:4) induced by transglutaminase (10 U g−1 protein). Results of sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE), glucosamine, and free amino analysis showed that the legumin could be covalently bonded with the oligochitosan and were influenced by the applying dose of the oligochitosan. Infrared spectroscopy, fluorescence, and scanning electron microscopy analysis indicated that the structure of the different OLC samples could be changed to different extents. Moreover, although the emulsifying activity decreased, the emulsification stability, thermal stability, and in vitro digestive stability of the OLCs were remarkably improved relative to that of the untreated legumin.

CONCLUSION

Oligochitosan glycosylation could change the structure of the legumin and consequently improve its emulsification stability, thermal stability, and in vitro digestive stability. This study will facilitate the legumin functionalization by the glycosylation approach to fabricate protein–oligochitosan complex for potential food and nutritional applications. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Evaluation of the Stiffness of Thyroid Parenchyma With Shear Wave Elastography Using a Free–Region of Interest Technique in Graves Disease
Authors: Kılınçer Abidin , Durmaz Mehmet Sedat , Baldane Süleyman , Kıraç Cem Onur , Cebeci Hakan , Koplay Mustafa
Published: August 2020

Objectives

The first aim was to evaluate the stiffness of thyroid parenchyma with shear wave elastography (SWE) in patients with Graves disease (GD) and compare the elastographic values with those of asymptomatic volunteers. The second aim was to evaluate whether there was a correlation between SWE values and grayscale ultrasound (US) and laboratory parameters.

Methods

In this prospective study, the thyroid gland parenchyma of 50 patients whose clinical and laboratory findings were indicative for GD and 54 asymptomatic participants with normal laboratory values was examined by SWE. Grayscale US images of the thyroid and submandibular gland were recorded. The volume of the thyroid gland was measured. Elastographic measurements were performed with a free region of interest. The quantitative SWE values (meters per second and kilopascals) of the patient and control groups were compared. A correlation analysis between the SWE values and grayscale US and laboratory parameters was performed.

Results

The median (range) SWE values of the thyroid gland in patients with GD were significantly higher than those of the control group [17.34 (12.58–56.15) versus 12.05 (7.72–23.67) kPa and 2.28 (1.83–4.12) versus 1.92 (1.55–2.61) m/s; P < .001 for both comparisons]. When 14.5 kPa or 2.115 m/s was designated as the cutoff value, GD could be diagnosed with a high sensitivity and specificity. We showed a negative weak correlation between the SWE values and parenchymal echogenicity in the GD group.

Conclusions

Shear wave elastography can be used as an effective imaging method with high sensitivity and specificity rates in the diagnosis of GD.
Acetylation of Cyclodextrin‐Threaded Polyrotaxanes Yields Temperature‐Responsive Phase Transition and Coacervate Formation Properties
Authors: Tonegawa Asato , Tamura Atsushi , Yui Nobuhiko
Published: August 2020

Stimuli‐responsive materials have received considerable attention for their application in biomedical fields. Herein, the temperature‐dependent phase transition behavior of acetylated polyrotaxanes (Ac‐PRXs) consisting of acetylated cyclodextrins threaded onto a linear axle polymer in aqueous solution is investigated. The aqueous solutions of Ac‐PRXs exhibit temperature‐dependent transmittance changes when the degree of acetylation is 30–40%. Upon increasing the temperature, Ac‐PRXs are dehydrated and acetyl groups are subsequently associated through hydrophobic interactions. Interestingly, the Ac‐PRXs form coacervate droplets with a diameter of ≈2–3 µm above their cloud points. These temperature‐responsivities of Ac‐PRXs are observed for other PRXs with different axle polymer molecular weights and compositions. Consequently, the acetylation of PRXs is an attractive chemical modification for yielding temperature‐responsivities, and Ac‐PRXs can be applied as temperature‐responsive supramolecular materials.
RCS reduction using a wideband dual logarithmic step patch PRRM in microstrip patch antenna
Authors: Swaminathan Anand , Jeyaraj Josephine Pon Gloria , G Ahila , A Afrin
Published: August 2020

Radar cross‐section (RCS) reduction using a wideband dual logarithmic step patch polarization rotation reflective meta‐surface (PRRM) in microstrip patch antenna is proposed. The investigation proposes the use of designed PRRM to construct a low profile microstrip patch antenna with multiband operation, circular polarization, monostatic RCS reduction in a wider bandwidth, and virtually constant gain over the entire RCS reduction bandwidth. A dual logarithmic step patch PRRM unit cell element with FR4 superstrate is presented and it provides a relative bandwidth of 70.24% and polarization conversion ratio (PCR) greater than 90% from 6.65 to 13.85 GHz. The designed PRRM unit cells are arranged in 3 × 4 array on both sides of the designed microstrip patch antenna. This arrangement makes the antenna to operate circularly polarized at 10.33, 14.33, and 19.16 GHz with axial ratio values of 2.807, 1.963, and 1.471 dB, respectively. Also, it provides monostatic RCS reduction with 77.9% bandwidth ranging from 6.39 to 14.5 GHZ and virtually constant gain ranging from 8 to 19.7 GHz. The performance of the microstrip patch antenna with the designed PRRM are simulated and experimentally verified.
Know the Basics of Water Fluoridation Regulations
Authors: Duchon Kip
Published: August 2020

The practice of adding fluoride in drinking water treatment has spanned 75 years and improved public health. However, the obligation a water utility may have under fluoridation requirements is likely to be different in different communities.
In utero opioid exposure and risk of infections in childhood: A multinational Nordic cohort study
Authors: Mahic Milada , Hernandez‐Diaz Sonia , Wood Mollie , Kieler Helle , Odsbu Ingvild , Nørgaard Mette , Öztürk Buket , Bateman Brian T. , Hjellvik Vidar , Skurtveit Svetlana , Handal Marte
Published: August 2020

Purpose

There is an increasing number of children with in utero exposure to opioids. Knowledge about opioid safety in pregnancy, particularly for outcomes later in childhood is scarce. It has been suggested that opioids can modulate immune system and increase the risk of infections. Our goal was to study the impact of in utero opioid exposure on the immune system and the risk of infections in childhood.

Methods

This population‐based cohort study used nationwide registers from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Among pregnant women we identified users of opioids for two different indications, opioids used in opioid maintenance therapy (OMT) and opioids used for treatment of pain. We followed the exposed children and studied susceptibility for infections measured as number of antibiotic prescriptions expressed as Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and diagnoses in specialist health care expressed as hazard ratios (HRs).

Results

After adjustment we did not observe increased risk for filling antibiotic prescriptions in children exposed to OMT opioids compared with OMT discontinuers (IRR, 1.08; 95% CI 0.81‐1.44 in Norway and Sweden, and IRR, 0.74; 95% CI 0.63‐0.88 in Denmark), or for diagnosis of infection in specialist health care (HR 0.83; 95% CI 0.55‐1.26 in Norway and Sweden, and 0.82; 95% CI 0.62‐1.10 in Denmark).

Conclusions

In this population‐based cohort study, we did not observe increased risk of infections among children prenatally exposed to OMT opioids when compared to OMT discontinuers, nor long‐term analgesic opioids exposed when compared to short‐term analgesic opioids exposed.
Development of a novel control strategy for a highly segmented injection mold tempering for inline part warpage control
Authors: Hopmann Christian , Kahve Cemi , Schmitz Mauritius
Published: August 2020

The demand of precise injection‐molded parts is steadily increasing and is today one of the most relevant challenges, due to local variations in temperature and pressure during the production of the part. These variations can lead to a significant change of the local specific volume, shrinkage potential, and inner stress, which ultimately results in part warpage. By homogenizing the local specific volume over the part according to the specific pvT‐behavior of the polymer, warpage is expected to be reduced. The following work describes a new approach to control the local specific volume by a newly developed segmented and highly dynamic mold temperature control based on rapid heating ceramics and CO2 evaporation chambers. Since injection molding is a dynamic process and heat transfer inside the mold is comparably slow, a special control strategy is necessary to activate the heating and cooling elements in advance. For this, a novel prediction strategy based on a discretization of the one‐dimensional heat equation has been developed. Experimental trials including a classical PID controller and a model predictive control approach (MPC) show that the MPC is superior regarding the process stability.
Persistent tachypnea of infancy: Follow up at school age
Authors: Seidl Elias , Carlens Julia , Schwerk Nicolaus , Wetzke Martin , Marczak Honorata , Lange Joanna , Krenke Katarzyna , Mayell Sarah J. , Escribano Amparo , Seidenberg Jürgen , Ahrens Frank , Hebestreit Helge , Nährlich Lutz , Sismanlar Tugba , Aslan Ayse T. , Snijders Deborah , Ullmann Nicola , Kappler Matthias , Griese Matthias
Published: August 2020

Background

Persistent tachypnea of infancy (PTI) is a rare pediatric lung disease of unknown origin. The diagnosis can be made by clinical presentation and chest high resolution computed tomography after exclusion of other causes. Clinical courses beyond infancy have rarely been assessed.

Methods

Patients included in the Kids Lung Register diagnosed with PTI as infants and now older than 5 years were identified. Initial presentation, extrapulmonary comorbidities, spirometry and clinical outcome were analyzed.

Results

Thirty‐five children older than 5 years with PTI diagnosed as infants were analyzed. At the age of 5 years, 74% of the patients were reported as asymptomatic and did not develope new symptoms during the observational period at school‐age (mean, 3.9 years; range, 0.3‐6.3). At the age of about 10 years, none of the symptomatic children had abnormal oxygen saturation during sleep or exercise anymore. Lung function tests and breathing frequency were within normal values throughout the entire observational period.

Conclusions

PTI is a pulmonary disease that can lead to respiratory insufficiency in infancy. As at school age most of the previously chronically affected children became asymptomatic and did not develop new symptoms. We conclude that the overall clinical course is favorable.
Pseudo‐Bartter syndrome in Chinese children with cystic fibrosis: Clinical features and genotypic findings
Authors: Shen Yuelin , Tang Xiaolei , Liu Jinrong , Li Huiming , Zhao Shunying
Published: August 2020

Objectives

To characterize the clinical and genotypic features of cystic fibrosis‐associated pseudo‐Bartter syndrome (CF‐PBS) in Chinese children.

Methods

We recruited and characterized the clinical manifestations of 12 Chinese children with CF‐PBS. Sweat test, blood and urinary analysis, sputum culture, chest and sinus computed tomography, and abdominal ultrasonography were obtained. Whole‐exome sequencing, bioinformatics analysis, and Sanger sequencing validation were performed to define the genotypes.

Results

CF‐PBS was accompanied by recurrent and/or persistent pneumonia (91.7%), pancreatitis (83.3%), vomiting and/or diarrhea (66.7%), failure to thrive and liver disease (58.3% respectively), among our patients. The predominant organisms found in the airways were Pseudomonas aeruginosa (83.3%) and Staphylococcus aureus (75.0%). The mean concentrations of blood gas and electrolytes were pH 7.58, bicarbonate 40.8 mmol/L, sodium 125.9 mmol/L, chloride 77.5 mmol/L, and potassium 2.6 mmol/L. A high recurrence rate (50.0%) of CF‐PBS was observed despite continued electrolyte supplementation during follow‐up. In all, 19 different variants of CFTR gene were identified, and 10 of these were found to be novel observations (c.262_266delTTATA[p.L88FfsX21], c.579+2insACAT, c.1210‐3C>G, c.1733T>C[p.L578P], c.2236_2246delGAGGCGATACTinsAAAAATC[p.E746KfsX8], c.3068T>G [p.I1023R], c.3635delT[p.V1212AfsX16], c.3859delG[p.G1287EfsX2], c.3964‐7A>G and ΔE23 [c.3718‐?_3873+?del]). The c.2909G>A[p.G970D] was the most common variant, with an allele frequency of 16.6%. A homozygous genotype of c.1521_1523delCTT[p.F508del] was discovered for the first time in patients of Chinese origin.

Conclusions

In China, CF‐PBS usually presents early and recurs frequently in infancy, accompanied by multiple comorbidities. Recurrence of CF‐PBS in school‐going patients does occur but is rare. The p.G970D is the most frequent variant, with a significant ethnic tendency of Chinese origin.
Abdominal and pelvic adipose tissue distribution and risk of prostate cancer recurrence after radiation therapy
Authors: Di Bella Claire M. , Howard Lauren E. , Oyekunle Taofik , De Hoedt Amanda M. , Salama Joseph K. , Song Haijun , Freedland Stephen J. , Allott Emma H.
Published: August 2020

Background

Fat distribution varies between individuals of similar body mass index (BMI). We hypothesized that visceral obesity is more strongly associated with poor prostate cancer outcomes than overall obesity defined by BMI.

Materials and Methods

We quantified abdominal visceral and subcutaneous fat area (VFA and SFA), and pelvic periprostatic adipose tissue area (PPAT), using computed tomography scans from radiation‐treated prostate cancer patients at the Durham North Carolina Veterans Administration Hospital. Multivariable‐adjusted Cox regression examined associations between each adiposity measure and risk of recurrence, overall and stratified by race and receipt of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT).

Results

Of 401 patients (59% black) treated from 2005 to 2011, 84 (21%) experienced recurrence during 9.3 years median follow‐up. Overall, obesity defined by BMI was not associated with recurrence risk overall or stratified by race or ADT, nor was any measure of fat distribution related to the risk of recurrence overall or by race. However, higher VFA was associated with increased risk of recurrence in men who received radiation only (hazard ratio [HR], 1.79; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.87‐3.66), but inversely associated with recurrence risk in men treated with radiation and ADT (HR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.24‐1.03; P‐interaction = .002), though neither association reached statistical significance. Similar patterns of ADT‐stratified associations were observed for PPAT and SFA.

Conclusions

Associations between abdominal and pelvic adiposity measures and recurrence risk differed significantly by ADT receipt, with positive directions of association observed only in men not receiving ADT. If confirmed, our findings suggest that obesity may have varying effects on prostate cancer progression risk dependent on the hormonal state of the individual.
The effects of dryland cropping system intensity on soil function and associated changes in macrofauna communities
Authors: Kelly Courtland , Schipanski Meagan , Kondratieff Boris , Sherrod Lucretia , Schneekloth Joel , Fonte Steven J.
Published: August 2020

Crop production in water‐limited environments may be enhanced through improved soil function by facilitating precipitation capture and erosion control. Soil macrofauna are known to support improved soil structure and water dynamics through ecosystem engineering activities, and their populations can be influenced by management. We examined the effect of bare summer fallow frequency on soil macrofauna communities and soil physical properties in a long‐term (32‐yr) dryland no‐till agroecosystem experiment at two sites in eastern Colorado, USA. Treatments represented a gradient of fallow frequency and organic matter inputs, which included wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)–fallow, wheat–corn (Zea mays L.)–fallow, and continuously cropped with no planned summer fallow. The design also included a perennial grass treatment with minimal management consisting of six native grasses. We observed links between soil macrofauna and soil functional metrics, particularly related to soil aggregation and water infiltration. There was a trend toward higher macrofauna populations and soil function with increased cropping system intensity, and perennial grass outperformed the cropped treatments significantly for most soil health parameters. Multivariate analyses revealed that different treatments support relatively distinct macrofauna communities. Our results suggest that soil macrofauna populations may be important facilitators of soil structure and associated water dynamics in dryland no‐till agroecosystems and respond positively to reduced fallow and higher organic inputs.
SafeMan: A unified framework to manage cybersecurity and safety in manufacturing industry
Authors: Perales Gómez Ángel Luis , Fernández Maimó Lorenzo , Huertas Celdrán Alberto , García Clemente Félix J. , Gil Pérez Manuel , Martínez Pérez Gregorio
Published: August 2020

Industrial control systems (ICS) are considered cyber‐physical systems that join both cyber and physical worlds. Due to their tight interaction, where humans and robots co‐work and co‐inhabit in the same workspaces and production lines, cyber‐attacks targeting ICS can alter production processes and even bypass safety procedures. As an example, these cyber‐attacks could interrupt physical industrial processes and cause potential injuries to workers. In this article, we present SafeMan, a unified management framework based on the Edge Computing paradigm that provides high‐performance applications for the detection and mitigation of both cyber‐attacks and safety threats in industrial scenarios. Three use cases show specific threats in manufacturing as well as the SafeMan actions carried out to detect and mitigate them. In order to validate our proposal, a pool of experiments was performed with Electra, an industrial dataset with normal network traffic and different cyber‐attacks by using a given number of Modbus TCP and S7Comm devices. The experiments measured the runtime performance of anomaly detection techniques based on machine learning and deep learning to detect cyber‐attacks in control networks. The experimental results show that Neural Networks report the best performance, being able to examine 217 feature vectors per second over Electra, and therefore demonstrating that it can be used as detection model for SafeMan in real scenarios.
Green Synthesis and Characterization of Amine‐Modified Starch Nanoparticles
Authors: Awg Suhai Awangku Abdullah Kamarol , Chin Suk‐Fun
Published: August 2020

In this study, amine‐modified starch (AMS) nanoparticles are prepared from native sago starch (Metroxylon sagu) through a facile, economical, and aqueous‐based approach. Dialdehyde starch is initially synthesized by reacting sago starch with sodium periodate and followed by the addition of ethylenediamine for the preparation of AMS. The percentage of amine content and degree of substitution of AMS is determined by back‐titration technique. The degree of substitution of AMS is determined to be within the range of 0.9973 to 0.9984, respectively. Subsequently, AMS nanoparticles with mean particle diameters ranged between 170 and 280 nm are obtained by controlled precipitation through the drop‐wise addition of AMS solution into excess ethanol solution. The mean particle sizes of AMS nanoparticles are observed to be affected by the synthesis parameters including the ratio of solvent and non‐solvent system.
Corn‐based Electrochemical Energy Storage Devices
Authors: Parsimehr Hamidreza , Ehsani Ali
Published: August 2020

The attention to renewable materials is amazingly increased in recent years to decrease environmental pollutions. Zea mays (corn) is one of the most produced plants by humans to provide food and energy. Hence, corn wastes as abundant and low‐cost biomass are easily found throughout the world. Tremendous efforts have been accomplished in recent years to fabricate electrochemical energy storage devices (EES) from renewable biomass materials because of increasing attention to the environment. All main parts of EES devices include electrodes, binder, electrolyte, and membrane (separator) can be produced via corn waste biochar and corn derivatives. The low‐cost corn‐based EES devices not only decrease environmental pollution but also have significant electrochemical properties include specific capacitance and electrochemical durability. This review investigates state‐of‐the‐art development in the corn‐based EES devices.
“Eu sei, I know”: Equity and Immigrant Experience in a Portuguese‐English Dual Language Bilingual Education Program
Authors: Oliveira Gabrielle , Lima Becker Mariana , Chang-Bacon Chris K.
Published: August 2020

Recent scholarship reveals how English can be disproportionately privileged in dual language bilingual education (DLBE) programming (Cervantes‐Soon et al., 2017; Valdés, 1997). Through a program designed to serve Brazilian (im)migrant populations, this study expands the scope of DLBE research. This study took place in the U.S. state of Massachusetts, which has just emerged from a 15‐year period of English‐only legislation. It explores language status in a context of Portuguese Brazilian (im)migrant experience that has been largely unexplored in the TESOL literature. The researchers argue that there are three main dynamics of equity and language practices that need examination. While dual language teachers highly valued instruction in Portuguese, not all community stakeholders viewed Portuguese as a valuable language, accentuating inequalities in the experiences of children in the classroom. Brazilian immigrant children actively positioned themselves as experts during Portuguese instruction, however, often, they did not enjoy the attention and support that their English‐dominant peers experienced. Finally, Brazilian immigrant students' participation in the Portuguese‐led portions of the day was not conducive to further development of their advanced Portuguese knowledge. Through the combination of these dynamics, Brazilian immigrant children elevated the status of the language in their formal instructional environment, but were not themselves afforded a similarly high status.
First Language Loss and Negative Attitudes Towards Dhivehi Among Young Maldivians: Is the English‐First Educational Policy to Blame?
Authors: Mohamed Naashia
Published: August 2020

This article focuses on the inequalities of an educational policy that favours English over the national language and the resulting impacts on young people. While the constitution identifies Dhivehi to be the official language of the Maldives, and the National Curriculum recognises both Dhivehi and English as languages of instruction, English has been the dominant language in education for several decades. This English‐first policy was initiated to modernise and develop the small island nation, limiting the space for Dhivehi in the curriculum. Following a sequential explanatory mixed‐methods design, the study investigates three aspects of this dual‐language context. It examines students’ attitudes towards Dhivehi and English, compares their language attainment, and considers the extent to which the curriculum fulfils students’ linguistic needs. The findings indicate that students’ attainment in Dhivehi lags behind their attainment in English and that many students feel inadequate and unprepared for the real‐world demands of both their languages. Furthermore, while young people recognise the uniqueness of Dhivehi and are proud to be affiliated with the language, they have a much higher regard for English because it is viewed as being more useful for their upward mobility. The implications for policy and practice are explored.
Obscuring Equity in Dual Language Bilingual Education: A Longitudinal Study of Emergent Bilingual Achievement, Course Placements, and Grades
Authors: Morita‐Mullaney Trish , Renn Jennifer , CHIU Ming Ming
Published: August 2020

Dual language bilingual education (DLBE) is a unique form of bilingual education that has the potential to preserve and develop the heritage languages of emergent bilinguals, foster high levels of bilingualism, and address academic disparities, thereby changing emergent bilinguals’ educational conditions and learning outcomes. Yet, DLBE schools and programs are nested within a broader sociopolitical context which may attenuate the benefits of DLBE. To address the construction of DLBE as a panacea for equity, this study examines a cohort of emergent bilinguals’ academic achievement, middle school course placements, and course grades across 6 school years. The conceptual lens of equity traps is employed to demonstrate how equity is metaphorically trapped within the institutional constraints of schools, specifically master schedules that have courses that range from remedial to advanced. Findings demonstrate that emergent bilinguals in DLBE programs have higher achievement in English language arts (ELA) and math over emergent bilinguals in English as a second language programs. However, emergent bilinguals in DLBE programs also are shielded from advanced‐level electives, reducing future opportunities to learn math and science in high school, demonstrating a unique form of exclusionary tracking. The authors propose a structural matrix that stakeholders can use to examine the equity constraints of DLBE.
Activated sludge and other aerobic suspended culture processes
Authors: Ouyang Jia , Li Chunying , Wei Li , Wei Dong , Zhao Min , Zhao Zhen , Zhang Jie , Chang Chein‐Chi
Published: August 2020

This paper provides an overview of activated sludge related to suspended growth processes for the year 2019. The review encompasses process modeling of activated sludge, microbiology of activated sludge, process kinetics and mechanism, nitrogen and phosphorus control, design, and operation in the activated sludge field. The fate and effect of xenobiotics in activated sludge, including trace organic contaminant and heavy metal xenobiotics, which had influence on the growth of suspended sludge, are covered in this review. Compared to past reviews, many topics show increase in activity in 2019. These include, biokinetics process of aerobic granular sludge formation, pyrolysis kinetic mechanism of granular sludge. These topics are referred to formation and disintegration of granular sludge. Other sections include activated sludge settling model, toxicity resistant microbial community, nitritation–anammox processes for nitrogen removal, and respirometry used in the operation of real wastewater treatment plant are especially highlighted in this review.

Practitioner Points

Biokinetics process of aerobic granular sludge formation

Toxicity resistant microbial community in activated sludge

Nitritation‐anammox processes for nitrogen removal in activated sludge
Detection, occurrence, and fate of emerging contaminants in agricultural environments (2020)
Authors: Snow Daniel D. , Cassada David A. , Biswas Saptashati , Malakar Arindam , D'Alessio Matteo , Marshall Alice H. L. , Sallach Jonathan B.
Published: August 2020

A review of 79 papers published in 2019 is presented. The topics ranged from detailed descriptions of analytical methods, to fate and occurrence studies, to ecological effects and sampling techniques for a wide variety of emerging contaminants likely to occur in agricultural environments. New methods and studies on veterinary pharmaceuticals, antibiotics, anthelmintics, and engineered nanomaterials in agricultural environments continue to expand our knowledge base on the occurrence and potential impacts of these compounds. This review is divided into the following sections: Introduction, Analytical Methods, Antibiotics in Agroecosystems, Pharmaceutical Fate and Occurrence, Anthelmintics and Engineered Nanomaterials.

Practitioner points

New research describes innovative new techniques for emerging contaminant detection in agricultural settings

Newer classes of contaminants include human and veterinary pharmaceuticals

Research in nanomaterials show that these also occur in agricultural environments and will likely be topics of future work
Practice effects vs. transfer effects in the Simon task
Authors: D’Ascenzo Stefania , Lugli Luisa , Nicoletti Roberto , Umiltà Carlo
Published: August 2020

The Simon effect refers to the fact that, even though stimulus position is task-irrelevant, responses to a task-relevant stimulus dimension are faster and more accurate when the stimulus and response spatially correspond than when they do not. Although the Simon effect is a very robust phenomenon, it is modulated by practice or transfer from previous tasks. Practice refers to the modulation of the Simon effect as a function of number of trials. Transfer refers to the modulation of the Simon effect as a function of preceding tasks. The aim of the present study is to disentangle the role of practice and transfer in modulating the Simon effect and to investigate whether such modulation can be extended to a different response modality. Three experiments were conducted, which included three sessions: the Baseline session, the Inducer session and the Diagnostic session. The task performed in the Baseline and the Diagnostic sessions were comprised of location-irrelevant trials (i.e., they were Simon tasks). The task performed in the Inducer session required performing location-relevant trials (i.e., it was a spatial compatibility task with a compatible or an incompatible stimulus–response mapping). In the first and third experiments, participants were required to respond manually in all sessions. In the second experiment, the task performed in the Inducer session required manual response, while in the Baseline and Diagnostic sessions the tasks required ocular response. Results showed a reduced-Diagnostic Simon effect after both compatible and incompatible mapping in the Inducer session, regardless of whether response modality was the same or different. These results support the notion that the practice effect prevails over the transfer effect.
Investigating the incidence, nature, severity and potential causality of medication errors in hospital settings in Qatar
Authors: Thomas Binny , Pallivalapila Abdulrouf , El Kassem Wessam , Al Hail Moza , Paudyal Vibhu , McLay James , MacLure Katie , Stewart Derek
Published: August 2020

Background Medication errors are a major public health concern that negatively impact patient safety and health outcomes. Effective and efficient medication error reporting systems and practices are imperative in reducing error incidence and severity. Objective The objectives were to quantify the incidence, nature and severity of medication errors, and to explore potential causality using a theoretical framework. Setting The study was conducted at Hamad Medical Corporation, the largest public funded academic healthcare center in the state of Qatar. Methods A retrospective review of medication error reports submitted to the Hamad Medical Corporation incident reporting system during 2015 to 2017. Data related to number of reports, reporter, medication, severity and outcomes were extracted. Reason’s Accident Causation Model was used as a theoretical framework for identifying potential causality. Two researchers independently categorized errors as: active failures (e.g. forgetting to administer medication at scheduled time); error provoking conditions (e.g. medication prescribed by an unauthorized physician and administered to the patient); and latent failures (e.g. organizational factors, lack of resources). Main outcome measures Incidence, classes of medications, reporter, error severity and outcomes, potential causality. Results A total of 5103 reports provided sufficient information to be included in the study giving an estimated error incidence of 0.044% of prescribed medication items. Most of the reports (91.5%, n = 4667) were submitted by pharmacists and majority (87.9%, n = 4485) were prescribing errors. The most commonly reported medications were anti-infectives for systemic use (22.0%, n = 1123) followed by medications to treat nervous system disorders (17.2%, n = 876). Only three errors reported to have caused temporary harm requiring intervention while one contributed to or resulted in temporary harm requiring initial or prolonged hospitalization. In terms of potential causality of medication errors, the majority (91.5%, n = 4671) were classified as active failures. Conclusion Almost all reports were submitted by pharmacists, indicating likely under-reporting affecting the actual incidence. Effort is required to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the reporting system. The use of the theoretical framework allowed identification of potential causality, largely in relation to active failures, which can inform the basis of interventions to improve medication safety.