bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
4‐(Di‐/Trifluoromethyl)‐2‐heterabicyclo[2.1.1]hexanes: Advanced Fluorinated Phenyl Isosteres and Proline analogues
Authors: Homon Anton A. , Hryshchuk Oleksandr V. , Mykhailenko Olha V. , Vashchenko Bohdan V. , Melnykov Kostiantyn P. , Michurin Oleg M. , Daniliuc Constantin G. , Gerus Igor I. , Kovtunenko Volodymyr O. , Kondratov Ivan S. , Grygorenko Oleksandr O.
Published: May 2021

A gram‐scale synthesis, physico‐chemical characterization, and lead‐likeness assessment of 4‐di/trifluoromethyl‐2‐heterabicyclo[2.1.1]hexanes as fluorinated bicyclic proline analogues and phenyl isosteres are disclosed. The key step of the synthesis included iodocyclization of fluorinated 3‐hydroxy‐/3‐aminomethyl methylenecyclobutanes; with the amino derivatives, the reaction was accompanied with carboxylation and further cyclization. Apart from the corresponding 4‐di/trifluoromethyl‐2,4‐methanoprolines, a series of fluorinated oxabicyclo[2.1.1]hexane‐derived building blocks relevant to medicinal chemistry (i. e. primary iodides, carboxylic acids, alcohols, azides, primary amines, sulfonyl chlorides, and alkynes) were prepared. For representative derivatives of the resulting fluorinated 2‐oxabicyclo[2.1.1]hexanes, pKa and logP values were measured to clarify their potential as the possible phenyl isosteres. Apart from the somewhat increased acidity, fine‐tuned lipophilicity intermediate between that of non‐fluorinated or aromatic counterparts was observed. Finally, the potential of the title building blocks was demonstrated by generation of virtual compound libraries using the LLAMA software. The resulting libraries fitted perfectly the lead‐like chemical space, had higher three‐dimensionality, and showed lower mean lead‐likeness penalty as compared to those obtained from either non‐fluorinated or aromatic derivatives.
Cultural orientations and strategic capability for the adoption of building information modeling in construction firms
Authors: Zakariyyah Kudirat Ibilola , John Iniobong Beauty , Ijaola Irewolede Aina
Published: May 2021

Digitalization is redefining products and business models worldwide. This places a demand for transformation in a firm's organizational culture and strategy. This study thus assesses the cultural orientations and strategic capability required for the adoption of building information modeling (BIM) in construction firms as a platform for the enhancement of digital transformation. It examines the prevalence of the orientations and capability, evaluates the relationship among cultural orientations, strategic capability, and BIM adoption as well as predicts a model of BIM adoption from culture and strategy. Data were collected through questionnaires administered to top management staff in construction firms in Lagos State. Factor Analysis, Correlation, and Regression were the adopted statistical tools. The results revealed production, task accomplishment, innovative construction process, workforce, knowledge management, environmental, founder's belief as well as conflict resolution as the prevalent cultural orientations. The availability of resources to communicate, interact, and collaborate digitally as well as leadership capability to organize and coordinate digitally are the top two strategic capabilities. Despite the respondents' level of agreement on the constructs; culture and strategic capability contribute 18% of the BIM model. The study concludes that the more the firms' leadership interacts with digitally oriented clients, embeds digitalization in a mission statement, and adopts innovative construction processes, the better the BIM adoption. It is recommended that the firms' leadership develop or re‐configure an innovative culture and re‐strategize construction activities digitally by adopting BIM which can be turned into a dynamic capability for firm improvement and competitiveness.
A Novel, Weakly N‐Doped Cathode‐Modifying Layer in Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Chen Chunxin , Xue Peiyao , Lu Heng , Wang Jiayu , Jia Boyu , Li Yawen , Qin Dashan , Lin Yuze , Zhan Xiaowei
Published: May 2021

A novel blend thin film (N,N‐dimethyl‐ammonium N‐oxide)propyl perylene diimide mixed with polyethylenimine ethoxylated (PDINO:PEIE) is provided as a cathode‐modifying layer (CML) in organic solar cells (OSCs). Compared with PDINO, PDINO:PEIE shows increased electron conduction, due to the weak n‐doping of PDINO by the amino groups of PEIE, improving the balance of hole/electron mobility and thereby the fill factor of the device. Moreover, the addition of PEIE in PDINO enables a smoother morphology of the device and helps block the cathode diffusion into the photoactive layer, reducing trap‐assisted recombination in the exciton formation zone and thereby, increasing the open‐circuit voltage of the device. As a result, PDINO:PEIE enables greater power conversion efficiency (PCE) of fullerene OSCs than PDINO. It is also shown that, relative to conventional CMLs, PDINO:PEIE presents higher PCEs and comparable stabilities of nonfullerene OSCs. The blend thin films containing the small‐molecular host and weak polymeric n‐dopant are promising CMLs to integrate high electron mobility, good film‐forming property, low recombination loss, no migration of counter ions, and good stabilities.
Experimentation on minimum ignition temperature for boron blended fireworks flash powder dust cloud at normal and inert environmental conditions
Authors: Arumugachamy Azhagurajan , Lakshmana Pandian Prakash , Kadarkaraithangam Jeyasubramanian
Published: May 2021

In fireworks industries, mixing and filling of chemicals are being done manually and hence, dust formation is inevitable. Due to inherent nature of ingredients like aluminium metal powder, which has more combustible and the possibilities of dust explosion are merely high. Nowadays, the use of boron as a replacement of aluminium in firecracker mixtures is being researched upon. Hence, this paper aims at measuring the minimum ignition temperature (MIT) of existing and boron blended firework composition by using Godbert Greenwald furnace. Nowadays, many firework industries are employing automation. In such places, by limiting the level of oxygen supply with Nitrogen gas, the accidents can be avoided. Hence, the limiting oxygen concentration (LOC) is also measured. It has been concluded that the probability of ignition is higher when the replacement level of aluminium with boron is less than 70% at a concentration of 1456 g/m3 with less than 75% inert gas level. The safe margin has been found which will be useful for risk assessment study.
Effects of different drying methods and ascorbic acid pretreatment on carotenoids and polyphenols of papaya fruit in Ethiopia
Authors: Minuye Masresha , Getachew Paulos , Laillou Arnaud , Chitekwe Stanley , Baye Kaleab
Published: May 2021

Frequent consumption of fruits can prevent nutrient deficiencies and promote health. However, the perishability and unaffordability of fruits had led to very low levels of fruit consumption in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs). The objective of this study was to evaluate the retention of nutrients and bioactive compounds of papaya fruit (Carica papaya L) with/without ascorbic acid pretreatment and drying under different techniques, to then estimate the vitamin A intakes for vulnerable population. Yellow pulp ripped papaya fruits (i.e., >75% level of skin color/stage level 4) (n = 14), with and without ascorbic acid pretreatment were dried using (a) solar drying: open‐air, tray driers, and glasshouse; (b) refractance window drying; (c) oven drying; and (d) freeze‐drying (control). The fresh fruit had high moisture content (87%) and an acidic pH. The dried papaya had a water activity of 0.5–0.6. The highest TPC, TFC, total carotenoids, and ß‐carotene were found in freeze‐dried papaya samples, followed by refractance window, and solar glass house (p < .05). The highest retention in total carotenoids (81.5%) and ß‐carotene (61.9%) relative to freeze‐drying was for the refractance‐window; 25 g of dried papaya could contribute to 38% of the retinol equivalents’ requirement for young children. Ascorbic acid pretreatment increased the retention of total carotenoids, ß‐carotene, TPC, and TFC (p < .05) by (6–11)%, (8–34)%, (7–58)%, and (6–30)%, respectively, for all the drying methods. Refractance window and solar glass house drying can improve diets and constitute a promising food systems’ intervention that can increase year‐round availability, accessibility, and affordability of vitamin A‐rich fruits like papaya.
Optimizing differential identifiability improves connectome predictive modeling of cognitive deficits from functional connectivity in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Svaldi Diana O. , Goñi Joaquín , Abbas Kausar , Amico Enrico , Clark David G. , Muralidharan Charanya , Dzemidzic Mario , West John D. , Risacher Shannon L. , Saykin Andrew J. , Apostolova Liana G.
Published: May 2021

Functional connectivity, as estimated using resting state functional MRI, has shown potential in bridging the gap between pathophysiology and cognition. However, clinical use of functional connectivity biomarkers is impeded by unreliable estimates of individual functional connectomes and lack of generalizability of models predicting cognitive outcomes from connectivity. To address these issues, we combine the frameworks of connectome predictive modeling and differential identifiability. Using the combined framework, we show that enhancing the individual fingerprint of resting state functional connectomes leads to robust identification of functional networks associated to cognitive outcomes and also improves prediction of cognitive outcomes from functional connectomes. Using a comprehensive spectrum of cognitive outcomes associated to Alzheimer's disease (AD), we identify and characterize functional networks associated to specific cognitive deficits exhibited in AD. This combined framework is an important step in making individual level predictions of cognition from resting state functional connectomes and in understanding the relationship between cognition and connectivity.
Intraoperative near‐infrared autofluorescence imaging for hypocalcemia risk reduction after total thyroidectomy: Evidence from a meta‐analysis
Authors: Weng Yu‐jing , Jiang Jiang , Min Lei , Ai Qing , Chen De‐biao , Chen Wei‐chun , Huang Zhi‐heng
Published: May 2021

This meta‐analysis evaluates whether near‐infrared autofluorescence (NIRAF) imaging reduces the risk of hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy. A systematic literature search in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library for studies from June 2011 to January 2021 comparing total thyroidectomy with NIRAF and conventional surgery (naked eye). Six eligible studies involving 2180 patients were included. The prevalence of transient hypocalcemia was 8.11% (40/493) and 25.19% (425/1687) in the NIRAF and naked eye groups (p < 0.0001), respectively. The prevalence of permanent hypocalcemia was 0% (0/493) and 2.19% (37/1687) in the NIRAF and naked eye groups (p = 0.05), respectively. NIRAF reduces the risk of transient hypocalcemia and may possibly lower the rate of permanent hypocalcemia. Nonetheless, further studies are needed to verify our results and evaluate the cost‐effectiveness of NIRAF in real‐world clinical practice.
Predictors of breakthrough clinically significant cytomegalovirus infection during letermovir prophylaxis in high‐risk hematopoietic cell transplant recipients
Authors: Royston Léna , Royston Eva , Masouridi‐Levrat Stavroula , Chalandon Yves , Van Delden Christian , Neofytos Dionysios
Published: May 2021

Letermovir prophylaxis in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant recipients significantly reduces the incidence of clinically significant cytomegalovirus infection. However, breakthrough infections still occur despite adequate prophylaxis. In the present retrospective cohort study, we identified clinically relevant predictive factors for clinically significant CMV breakthrough infection during letermovir prophylaxis. Low‐grade CMV replication (21–149 IU/ml), both at the time of letermovir initiation or during prophylaxis, was a significant risk factor for breakthrough clinically significant CMV infection. In addition, development of acute gastrointestinal graft‐versus‐host disease was significantly associated with breakthrough infection. Altogether these findings could call clinicians' attention to closer CMV monitoring and allow for prompt preemptive treatment initiation.
Lgr4 promotes aerobic glycolysis and differentiation in osteoblasts via the canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway
Authors: Yang Yu-ying , Zhou Yan-man , Xu Jing-zun , Sun Li-hao , Tao Bei , Wang Wei-qing , Wang Ji-qiu , Zhao Hong-yan , Liu Jian-min
Published: May 2021

Lgr4, a G-protein-coupled receptor, is associated with various physiological and pathological processes including oncogenesis, energy metabolism, and bone remodeling. However, whether Lgr4 is involved in osteoblasts' metabolism is not clear. Here we uncover that in preosteoblast cell line, lacking Lgr4 results in decreased osteogenic function along with reduced glucose consumption, glucose uptake, and lactate production in the presence of abundant oxygen, which is referred to as aerobic glycolysis. Activating canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling rescued the glycolytic dysfunction. Lgr4 promotes the expression of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1 (pdk1) and is abolished by interfering canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Mice lacking Lgr4 specifically in osteoblasts (Lgr4osb−/−) exhibit decreased bone mass and strength due to reduced bone formation. Additionally, glycolysis of osteoblasts is impaired in Lgr4osb−/− mice. Our study reveals a novel function of Lgr4 in regulating the cellular metabolism of osteoblasts. © 2021 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Cirsilineol attenuates LPS‐induced inflammation in both in vivo and in vitro models via inhibiting TLR‐4/NFkB/IKK signaling pathway
Authors: Ai Meimei , Lin Shusheng , Zhang Meixia , Wu Tieli , Yang Nan , Li Yu , Li Li
Published: May 2021

The anti‐inflammatory activity of cirsilineol in in vivo condition was assessed by measuring the relative organ weight, lung dry/wet weight ratio, protein concentration, and infiltration of inflammatory cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. We estimated the myeloperoxidase activity and levels of cytokines, chemokines, and inflammatory markers to analyze the efficacy of cirsilineol against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced lung inflammation. Furthermore, we quantified the gene expression of NFkB/IKK signaling molecules in cirsilineol‐treated and untreated acute lung injury mice to confirm the anti‐inflammatory property of cirsilineol. The lung histology was assessed with hematoxylin and eosin staining. Apart from in vivo experiments, in vitro tests with LPS‐stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages were also performed. Cell viability assay was performed in the presence and absence of LPS in RAW 264.7 macrophages to determine the cytotoxic effect of cirsilineol against macrophages. Reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) analysis was done to analyze the gene expression of inflammatory markers in LPS‐treated RAW 264.7 macrophages to prove that cirsilineol effectively inhibits inflammation in vitro. The results of our study prove that cirsilineol effectively inhibits inflammation in both in vivo and in vitro conditions. RT‐PCR analysis results of NFkB/IKK signaling molecules clearly illustrate that cirsilineol inhibited the expression of NFkB/IKK signaling protein and thereby prevented inflammation in in vivo condition, and it is further confirmed with the results of inflammatory protein expression in vitro model. The lung histopathological studies authentically confirm that cirsilineol potentially prevented the mice from LPS‐induced lung inflammation.
NFIB induces functional astrocytes from human pluripotent stem cell‐derived neural precursor cells mimicking in vivo astrogliogenesis
Authors: Yeon Gyu‐Bum , Shin Won‐Ho , Yoo Seo Hyun , Kim Dongyun , Jeon Byeong‐Min , Park Won‐Ung , Bae Yeonju , Park Jae‐Yong , You Seungkwon , Na Dokyun , Kim Dae‐Sung
Published: May 2021

The ability to generate astrocytes from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) offers a promising cellular model to study the development and physiology of human astrocytes. The extant methods for generating functional astrocytes required long culture periods and there remained much ambiguity on whether such paradigms follow the innate developmental program. In this report, we provided an efficient and rapid method for generating physiologically functional astrocytes from hPSCs. Overexpressing the nuclear factor IB in hPSC‐derived neural precursor cells induced a highly enriched astrocyte population in 2 weeks. RNA sequencing and functional analyses demonstrated progressive transcriptomic and physiological changes in the cells, resembling in vivo astrocyte development. Further analyses substantiated previous results and established the MAPK pathway necessary for astrocyte differentiation. Hence, this differentiation paradigm provides a prospective in vitro model for human astrogliogenesis studies and the pathophysiology of neurological diseases concerning astrocytes.
Data Quality Assessment for Super‐Resolution Fetal Brain MR Imaging: A Retrospective 1.5 T Study
Authors: Rubert Nicholas , Bardo Dianna M.E. , Vaughn Jennifer , Cornejo Patricia , Goncalves Luis F.
Published: May 2021

Background

Super‐resolution is a promising technique to create isotropic image volumes from stacks of two‐dimensional (2D) motion‐corrupted images in fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Purpose

To determine an acquisition quality metric and correlate that metric with radiologist perception of three‐dimensional (3D) image quality.

Study Type

Retrospective.

Subjects

Eighty‐seven patients, mean gestational age 29 ± 6 weeks.

Field Strength/Sequence

1.5 T/2D fast spin‐echo.

Assessment

Four radiologists (L.G., D.M.E.B., P.C., and J.V.; 31, 21, 7, and 7 years' experience, respectively) graded reconstructions on a 0 to 4 scale for overall appearance and visibility of specific anatomy. During reconstruction, slices were labeled as inliers based on correlation between a simulated vs. actual acquisition. The fraction of brain voxels in inlier slicers vs. total brain voxels was measured for each acquisition.

Statistical Tests

Paired sample t test, Pearson's correlation, intra‐class correlation.

Results

The average brain mask inlier fraction for all acquisitions was 0.8. There was a statistically significant correlation (0.71) between overall reconstruction appearance and number of acquisitions with inlier fraction above 0.73. There was low correlation (0.21, P = 0.05) between the number of acquisitions used in the reconstruction and overall score when no data quality measure was considered. Similar results were found for ratings of specific anatomy. Statistically significant differences in overall perception of image quality were found when using three vs. four, four vs. five, and three vs. five high‐quality acquisitions in the reconstruction. Five high‐quality acquisitions were sufficient to yield an average radiologist rating of 3.59 out of 4.0 for overall image quality.

Data Conclusion

Reconstruction quality can be reliably predicted using the brain mask inlier fraction. Real‐time super‐resolution protocols could exploit this to terminate acquisition when enough high‐quality acquisitions have been collected. To achieve consistent 3D image quality it may be necessary to acquire more than five scans to compensate for severely motion‐corrupted acquisitions.

Level of Evidence

3

Technical Efficacy

1
Radiomics Nomograms Based on Non‐enhanced MRI and Clinical Risk Factors for the Differentiation of Chondrosarcoma from Enchondroma
Authors: Pan Jielin , Zhang Ke , Le Hongbo , Jiang Yunping , Li Wenjuan , Geng Yayuan , Li Shaolin , Hong Guobin
Published: May 2021

Background

Differentiating chondrosarcoma from enchondroma using conventional MRI remains challenging. An effective method for accurate preoperative diagnosis could affect the management and prognosis of patients.

Purpose

To validate and evaluate radiomics nomograms based on non‐enhanced MRI and clinical risk factors for the differentiation of chondrosarcoma from enchondroma.

Study Type

Retrospective.

Population

A total of 103 patients with pathologically confirmed chondrosarcoma (n = 53) and enchondroma (n = 50) were randomly divided into training (n = 68) and validation (n = 35) groups.

Field Strength/Sequence

Axial non‐contrast‐enhanced T1‐weighted images (T1WI) and fat‐suppressed T2‐weighted images (T2WI‐FS) were acquired at 3.0 T.

Assessment

Clinical risk factors (sex, age, and tumor location) and diagnosis assessment based on morphologic MRI by three radiologists were recorded. Three radiomics signatures were established based on the T1WI, T2WI‐FS, and T1WI + T2WI‐FS sequences. Three clinical radiomics nomograms were developed based on the clinical risk factors and three radiomics signatures.

Statistical Tests

The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to evaluate the performance of radiomics signatures and clinical radiomics nomograms.

Results

Tumor location was an important clinical risk factor (P < 0.05). The radiomics signature based on T1WI and T1WI + T2WI‐FS features performed better than that based on T2WI‐FS in the validation group (AUC in the validation group: 0.961, 0.938, and 0.833, respectively; P < 0.05). In the validation group, the three clinical radiomics nomograms (T1WI, T2WI‐FS, and T1WI + T2WI‐FS) achieved AUCs of 0.938, 0.935, and 0.954, respectively. In all patients, the clinical radiomics nomogram based on T2WI‐FS (AUC = 0.967) performed better than that based on T2WI‐FS (AUC = 0.901, P < 0.05).

Data Conclusion

The proposed clinical radiomics nomogram showed promising performance in differentiating chondrosarcoma from enchondroma.

Level of Evidence

4

Technical Efficacy

Stage 2
Toward Nonvolatile Switching in Silicon Photonic Devices
Authors: Parra Jorge , Olivares Irene , Brimont Antoine , Sanchis Pablo
Published: May 2021

Nonvolatile switching is still a missing functionality in current mainstream silicon photonics complementary metal‐oxide‐semiconductor platforms. Fundamentally, nonvolatile switching stands for the ability to switch between two or more photonic states reversibly without needing additional energy to hold each state. Therefore, such a feature may push one step further the potential of silicon photonics by offering new ways of achieving photonic reconfigurability with ultrasmall energy consumption. Here, a detailed review of current developments that enable nonvolatile switching in silicon photonic waveguide devices is provided. Nonvolatility is successfully demonstrated either based on device engineering or by hybrid integration of silicon waveguides with materials exhibiting unique optical properties. Furthermore, several approaches with high potential for evolving toward a nonvolatile behavior with enhanced performance are also being explored. In most cases, many development steps are still necessary to ensure reliable devices. However, this research field is expected to progress in the coming years boosted by current and emerging applications benefiting from such functionality, such as new paradigms for photonic computing or advanced reconfigurable circuits for programmable photonic systems.
Phosphatidylcholine‐Engineered Exosomes for Enhanced Tumor Cell Uptake and Intracellular Antitumor Drug Delivery
Authors: Zhan Qi , Yi Kaikai , Li Xueping , Cui Xiaoteng , Yang Eryan , Chen Ning , Yuan Xubo , Zhao Jin , Hou Xin , Kang Chunsheng
Published: May 2021

Exosomes derived from non‐tumor cells hold great potential as drug delivery vehicles because of their good biosafety and natural transference of bioactive cargo between cells. However, compared to tumor‐derived exosomes, efficient delivery is limited by their weak interactions with tumor cells. It is essential to engineer exosomes that improve tumor cellular internalization efficiency. A simple and effective strategy to enhance tumor cell uptake by engineering the exosome membrane lipids can be established by drawing on the role of lipids in tumor exosomes interacting with tumor cells. Amphiphilic phosphatidylcholine (PC) molecules are inserted into the membrane lipid layer of reticulocyte‐derived exosomes (Exos) by simple incubation to construct PC‐engineered exosomes (PC‐Exos). It is demonstrated that PC‐Exos showed significantly enhanced tumor cell internalization and uptake rate compared to native Exos, up to a twofold increase. After therapeutic agent loading, PC‐Exos remarkably promotes intracellular drug or RNA accumulation in cancer cells, thus showing enhanced in vitro anti‐tumor activity. This work demonstrates the crucial role of engineering exosomal lipids in modulating cancer cellular uptake, which may shed light on the design of high‐efficiency exosome‐based drug delivery carriers.
3D amplified MRI (aMRI)
Authors: Terem Itamar , Dang Leo , Champagne Allen , Abderezaei Javid , Pionteck Aymeric , Almadan Zainab , Lydon Anna‐Maria , Kurt Mehmet , Scadeng Miriam , Holdsworth Samantha J.
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Amplified MRI (aMRI) has been introduced as a new method of detecting and visualizing pulsatile brain motion in 2D. Here, we improve aMRI by introducing a novel 3D aMRI approach.

Methods

3D aMRI was developed and tested for its ability to amplify sub‐voxel motion in all three directions. In addition, 3D aMRI was qualitatively compared to 2D aMRI on multi‐slice and 3D (volumetric) balanced steady‐state free precession cine data and phase contrast (PC‐MRI) acquired on healthy volunteers at 3T. Optical flow maps and 4D animations were produced from volumetric 3D aMRI data.

Results

3D aMRI exhibits better image quality and fewer motion artifacts compared to 2D aMRI. The tissue motion was seen to match that of PC‐MRI, with the predominant brain tissue displacement occurring in the cranial‐caudal direction. Optical flow maps capture the brain tissue motion and display the physical change in shape of the ventricles by the relative movement of the surrounding tissues. The 4D animations show the complete brain tissue and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) motion, helping to highlight the “piston‐like” motion of the ventricles.

Conclusions

Here, we introduce a novel 3D aMRI approach that enables one to visualize amplified cardiac‐ and CSF‐induced brain motion in striking detail. 3D aMRI captures brain motion with better image quality than 2D aMRI and supports a larger amplification factor. The optical flow maps and 4D animations of 3D aMRI may open up exciting applications for neurological diseases that affect the biomechanics of the brain and brain fluids.
Comparison of freezing and hydration characteristics for porous media
Authors: Zhou Jiazuo , Liang Wenpeng , Meng Xiangchuan , Wei Changfu
Published: May 2021

The processes of freezing–thawing and hydration–dissociation change the content of liquid water that coexists with ice or hydrate in porous media, such as frozen soils and hydrate‐bearing sediments, changing their physicomechanical properties. In this study, a generalized phase equilibrium equation is presented for both frozen soils and hydrate‐bearing sediments by considering the capillary and osmotic pressures. The liquid water content is related to temperature depression, plotted as the soil freezing characteristic curve (SFCC) or the soil hydration characteristic curve (SHCC), by combining the generalized phase equilibrium equation and the soil‐water characteristic curve (SWCC). From the SFCC or the SHCC, the phase equilibrium surface can be calculated in the space of temperature, pressure, and liquid water content. The proposed generalized phase equilibrium equation and the model of SFCC and SHCC can help to estimate the physicomechanical properties that depend on the fraction of the liquid or solid phase in porous media. Finally, the SHCC is employed to analyze the dissociation of hydrate‐bearing sediments using various methods.
The influence of low‐carbohydrate diets on the metabolic response to androgen‐deprivation therapy in prostate cancer
Authors: Chi Jen‐Tsan , Lin Pao‐Hwa , Tolstikov Vladimir , Oyekunle Taofik , Galvan Gloria C. , Ramirez‐Torres Adela , Chen Emily Y. , Bussberg Valerie , Chi Bo , Greenwood Bennett , Sarangarajan Rangaprasad , Narain Niven R. , Kiebish Michael A. , Freedland Stephen J.
Published: May 2021

Background

Prostate cancer (PC) is the second most lethal cancer for men. For metastatic PC, standard first‐line treatment is androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). While effective, ADT has many metabolic side effects. Previously, we found in serum metabolome analysis that ADT reduced androsterone sulfate, 3‐hydroxybutyric acid, acyl‐carnitines but increased serum glucose. Since ADT reduced ketogenesis, we speculate that low‐carbohydrate diets (LCD) may reverse many ADT‐induced metabolic abnormalities in animals and humans.

Methods

In a multicenter trial of patients with PC initiating ADT randomized to no diet change (control) or LCD, we previously showed that LCD intervention led to significant weight loss, reduced fat mass, improved insulin resistance, and lipid profiles. To determine whether and how LCD affects ADT‐induced metabolic changes, we analyzed serum metabolites after 3‐, and 6‐months of ADT on LCD versus control.

Results

We found androsterone sulfate was most consistently reduced by ADT and was slightly further reduced in the LCD arm. Contrastingly, LCD intervention increased 3‐hydroxybutyric acid and various acyl‐carnitines, counteracting their reduction during ADT. LCD also reversed the ADT‐reduced lactic acid, alanine, and S‐adenosyl methionine (SAM), elevating glycolysis metabolites and alanine. While the degree of androsterone reduction by ADT was strongly correlated with glucose and indole‐3‐carboxaldehyde, LCD disrupted such correlations.

Conclusions

Together, LCD intervention significantly reversed many ADT‐induced metabolic changes while slightly enhancing androgen reduction. Future research is needed to confirm these findings and determine whether LCD can mitigate ADT‐linked comorbidities and possibly delaying disease progression by further lowering androgens.
Characterization of tumor‐associated macrophages in prostate cancer transgenic mouse models
Authors: de Groot Amber E. , Myers Kayla V. , Krueger Timothy E. G. , Kiemen Ashley L. , Nagy Natalia H. , Brame Alexandria , Torres Vicente E. , Zhang Zhongyuan , Trabzonlu Levent , Brennen W. Nathaniel , Wirtz Denis , De Marzo Angelo M. , Amend Sarah R. , Pienta Kenneth J.
Published: May 2021

Background

Tumor‐associated macrophages (TAMs) are critical components of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in prostate cancer. Commonly used orthotopic models do not accurately reflect the complete TME of a human patient or the natural initiation and progression of a tumor. Therefore, genetically engineered mouse models are essential for studying the TME as well as advancing TAM‐targeted therapies. Two common transgenic (TG) models of prostate cancer are Hi‐Myc and transgenic adenocarcinoma of the mouse prostate (TRAMP), but the TME and TAM characteristics of these models have not been well characterized.

Methods

To advance the Hi‐Myc and TRAMP models as tools for TAM studies, macrophage infiltration and characteristics were assessed using histopathologic, flow cytometric, and expression analyses in these models at various timepoints during tumor development and progression.

Results

In both Hi‐Myc and TRAMP models, macrophages adopt a more pro‐tumor phenotype in higher histological grade tumors and in older prostate tissue. However, the Hi‐Myc and TRAMP prostates differ in their macrophage density, with Hi‐Myc tumors exhibiting increased macrophage density and TRAMP tumors exhibiting decreased macrophage density compared to age‐matched wild type mice.

Conclusions

The macrophage density and the adenocarcinoma cancer subtype of Hi‐Myc appear to better mirror patient tumors, suggesting that the Hi‐Myc model is the more appropriate in vivo TG model for studying TAMs and TME‐targeted therapies.
Clinical parameters and nomograms for predicting lymph node metastasis detected with 68Ga‐PSMA‐PET/CT in prostate cancer patients candidate to definitive radiotherapy
Authors: Onal Cem , Ozyigit Gokhan , Oymak Ezgi , Guler Ozan Cem , Hurmuz Pervin , Tilki Burak , Reyhan Mehmet , Tuncel Murat , Akyol Fadil
Published: May 2021

Background

Defining the extent of disease spread with imaging modalities is crucial for therapeutic decision‐making and definition of treatment. This study aimed to investigate whether clinical parameters and nomograms predict prostate‐specific membrane antigen (PSMA)‐positive lymph nodes in treatment‐naïve nonmetastatic prostate cancer (PC) patients.

Materials and Methods

The clinical data of 443 PC patients (83.3% high‐risk and 16.7% intermediate‐risk) were retrospectively analyzed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves with areas under the curve (AUC) were generated to evaluate the accuracy of clinical parameters (prostate‐specific antigen [PSA], T stage, Gleason score [GS], International Society of Urological Pathology [ISUP] grade) and nomograms (Roach formula [RF], Yale formula [YF], and a new formula [NF]) in predicting lymph node metastasis. The AUCs of the various parameters and clinical nomograms were compared using ROC and precision‐recall (PR) curves.

Results

A total of 288 lymph node metastases were identified in 121 patients (27.3%) using 68Ga‐PSMA‐11‐positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT). Most PSMA‐avid lymph node metastases occurred in external or internal iliac lymph nodes (142; 49.3%). Clinical T stage, PSA, GS, and ISUP grade were significantly associated with PSMA‐positive lymph nodes according to univariate logistic regression analysis. The PSMA‐positive lymph nodes were more frequently detected in patients with PSA >20 ng/ml, GS ≥7 or high risk disease compared to their counterparts. The clinical T stage, serum PSA level, GS, and ISUP grade showed similar accuracy in predicting PSMA‐positive metastasis, with AUC values ranging from 0.675 to 0.704. The median risks for PSMA‐positive lymph nodes according to the RF, YF, and NF were 31.3% (range: 12.3%–100%), 22.3% (range: 4.7%–100%), and 40.5% (range: 12.3%–100%), respectively. The AUC values generated from ROC and PR curve analyses were similar for all clinical nomograms, although the RF and YF had higher accuracy compared to NF.

Conclusion

The clinical T stage, PSA, GS, and ISUP grade are independent predictors of PSMA‐positive lymph nodes. The RF and YF can be used to identify patients who can benefit from 68Ga‐PSMA‐11 PET/CT for the detection of lymph node metastasis. Together with nomograms, 68Ga‐PSMA‐11 PET/CT images help to localize PSMA‐positive lymph node metastases and can thus assist in surgery and radiotherapy planning.
Fallow management input strategies for weed management in Florida cabbage production
Authors: Sharpe Shaun M , Boyd Nathan S , Dittmar Peter J
Published: May 2021

BACKGROUND

Fallow period weed management is an important Florida production consideration due to its duration and impact on the cash crop. Cover cropping is a valuable summer fallow period option for weed suppression. Sorghum‐sudangrass is a commonly used, competitive, and allelopathic Florida summer cover crop. The effect of increased seeding rate, a herbicide application, and added fertilizer inputs during the fallow period on the cover crop, weed populations, and cabbage yield was explored and compared to nontreated and chemical fallow controls.

RESULTS

Increased sorghum‐sudangrass seeding rates had no effect on the resultant stand density or biomass compared to the standard seeding rate. Cover cropping did not consistently suppress purple nutsedge, Florida pusley, or wild radish and added fertilizer inputs produced variable results. S‐metolachlor enhanced purple nutsedge suppression at low densities but did not improve grass, wild radish, and Florida pusley suppression.

CONCLUSIONS

Increased fallow management inputs did not consistently enhance weed suppression or provide benefit to the cash crop. Sorghum‐sudangrass suppressed Poaceae densities during the fallow period but did not adequately suppress nutsedge, wild radish, or Florida pusley densities over time. We conclude that weed management inputs should be focused on the cash crop and that enhanced management during the fallow period has limited benefit. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Living in two countries: Transnational living as an alternative to migration
Authors: Carling Jørgen , Erdal Marta Bivand , Talleraas Cathrine
Published: May 2021

After three decades of scholarship, transnationalism remains understood as connections between people who have migrated and people who remain in the country of origin. Such ties are important and prevalent. But perhaps a radical extension of transnationalism is also warranted: There are people who are neither ‘migrants’ nor ‘non‐migrants’ but lead transnational lives that evade these categories. In such cases, transnationalism is not a consequence of migration, but rather a fundamental challenge to it. This article connects the established literature on transnationalism with this potentially significant perspective. We draw on the phrase ‘living in two countries’, which incorporates the tensions and contradictions that transnational living entails. Drawing upon diverse empirical data, we ask how we might identify lives that span two countries and, how such lives are differentiated, and why they are significant even if they are rare.
Accuracy and deviation analysis of robot‐assisted spinal implants: A retrospective overview of 105 cases and preliminary comparison to open freehand surgery in lumbar spondylolisthesis
Authors: Wang Chao , Zhang Hao , Zhang Lu , Kong Meng , Zhu Kai , Zhou Chuan‐li , Ma Xue‐xiao
Published: May 2021

Background

Whether the accuracy of robot‐assisted spinal screw placement is significantly higher than that of freehand and the source of robotic deviation remain unclear.

Methods

Clinical data of 105 patients who underwent robot‐assisted spinal surgery was collected, and screw accuracy was evaluated by computed tomography according to the modified Gertzbein–Robbins classification. Patients were grouped by percutaneous and open surgery. Intergroup comparisons of clinical and screw accuracy parameters were performed. Reasons for deviation were determined. Thirty‐one patients with lumbar spondylolisthesis undergoing open robot‐assisted surgery and the same number of patients treated by open freehand surgery were compared for screw accuracy.

Results

Screw accuracy was not significantly different between the percutaneous and open groups in both intra‐ and postoperative evaluations. Tool skiving was identified as the main cause of deviation. The proportion of malpositioned screws (grade B + C + D) was significantly higher in the freehand group than in the robot‐assisted group. However, remarkably malpositioned (grade C + D) screws showed no significant differences between the groups. No revision surgery was necessary.

Conclusions

Robot‐assisted spinal instrumentation manifests high accuracy and low incidence of nerve injury. Tool skiving is a major cause of implant deviation.
Tracking control of uncertain Euler–Lagrange systems with fading and saturating actuations: A low‐cost neuroadaptive proportional‐integral‐derivative approach
Authors: Liu Huan , Gao Zhen , Cao Lan , Jiang Ziqiang , Zhang Jie , Song Yongduan
Published: May 2021

Many important engineering systems can be classified as Euler–Lagrange (EL) systems. In this work we develop a new Proportional‐Integral‐Derivative (PID) ‐based tracking control solution for uncertain EL systems subject to actuation failures and saturation. Two set of control algorithms are developed using robust adaptive and neuroadaptive methods, which are shown to exhibit several salient features: (1) the control schemes are of PID form, hence is characterized with simplicity in structure and intuition in concept; (2) the PID gains in the scheme are automatically updated by analytic algorithms with no need for manual tuning, rendering the control scheme more user‐friendly; and (3) the developed control algorithms are robust against nonvanishing disturbances, adaptive to unknown virtual parameter and immune to partial actuation effectiveness faults.
Study of Local Reactivity of Isatoic Anhydride Applying Quantum Molecular Similarity
Authors: Guerrero Tomás , Juárez‐Cerrillo Sergio F. , Matus Myrna H. , Durand‐Niconoff José Sergio
Published: May 2021

Isatoic anhydride (ISA) is a versatile molecule which is known as a chemical precursor for a myriad of materials and pharmaceuticals. Its reactivity is governed by the chemistry of the heterocyclic ring, being the nucleophilic attack, a characteristic reaction which explains the ring opening and functionalization of this intermediary; in contrast, the electrophilic attack is useful to functionalize the amide‐like moiety within the heterocyclic ring, as well as some positions of the benzenic moiety. In this work, a theoretical study of ISA and a series of substituted derivatives, as well as the consequent influence on the reactivity, was conducted under a QTAIM approach. The Bond Critical Points (BCP) space allowed us to build a model where the statistical variability of the similarity measure and the corresponding Hammett constants were compared. The results are in agreement with previous experimental results, where>0.91.
P(NMe2)3‐Mediated Reductive (1+4) Annulation Reaction of α‐Keto Esters with Nitroalkenes: A Facile Synthesis of Polysubstituted Isoxazoline N‐Oxides
Authors: Liu Yiyi , Lu Kanghui , Wan Tao , Wei Jiaqiang , Wu Junjie , Gong Shangkun , Xu Song , He Zhengjie
Published: May 2021

A P(NMe2)3‐mediated reductive (1+4) annulation reaction of α‐keto esters with substituted nitroalkenes has been developed, providing a feasible protocol to construct polysubstituted isoxazoline N‐oxides in moderate to excellent yields from readily available starting materials. This reaction originates from the characteristic reactivity of in situ generated Kukhtin‐Ramirez adducts and presumably proceeds through a tandem Michael addition‐intramolecular SN2 sequence. To further expand the utility of this annulation reaction, isoxazolines have been efficiently prepared from corresponding annulation products upon treatment with trimethyl phosphite.
Heavy Metal Ions in Wastewater Affect the Photodegradation of Phenol‐4‐sulfonic Acid over Biphasic TiO2/Activated Carbon Fiber Composites
Authors: Cheng Wu‐Kui , Guo Cui‐Xiang , Ke Qin‐Fei , Guo Ya‐Ping
Published: May 2021

The effect mechanism of Cu2+, Zn2+ and Ni2+ ions in wastewater on photocatalytic activity remained unknown. For phenol‐4‐sulfonic acid (PSA) photodegradation, we fabricated anatase/rutile/activated carbon fiber composites (A/R/ACFs) by the hydrothermal deposition of rutile TiO2 nanorods and anatase TiO2 nanoparticles on ACFs. A/R/ACFs exhibited better photocatalytic activity than both R/ACFs and A/ACFs because anatase/rutile heterojunctions supported electron transfer from rutile to anatase. All Cu2+, Zn2+ and Ni2+ ions in wastewater improved the chemical stability of PSA by forming PSA‐Cu(II), PSA‐Zn(II) and PSA‐Ni(II) complex compounds, and thus inhibited the PSA photodegradation. Notably, the as‐formed photoelectrons over A/R/ACFs were partly consumed due to the reduce reaction of Cu2+ ions into Cu+/Cu0, avoiding electron‐hole recombination and improving PSA photodegradation efficiency. No reduce reaction of Zn2+ and Ni2+ ions occurred during the PSA photodegradation process. Hence, the A/R/ACFs are an effective photocatalyst for wastewater purification, and low Cu2+ concentrations facilitated the PSA photodegradation.
Study of Different Morphology of Zinc Hydroxide Salt as Adsorbent of Azo Dyes
Authors: Jaerger Silvia , de Ramos Nogueira Daiane Amaral , de Oliveira Douglas Santos , Machado Monielly Viomar , Marangoni Rafael
Published: May 2021

In this study, zinc layered hydroxide salts (Zn‐LHS) intercalated with dodecyl sulfate (DDS) anion in nanocone morphology (LHS‐NC) and conventional stone‐like co‐precipitation LHS phases (LHS‐CO) were investigated as adsorbent of Orange G (OG) and Sunset Yellow (SY) dye. LHS‐NC was prepared by urea hydrolysis method, while LHS‐DDS was prepared by co‐precipitation method. XRDP, FTIR, and SEM were used to characterize their structure and showed the formation of layered compounds with very well layered stacking with nanocone and conventional layer stone morphology. After OG and SY adsorption, the results (XRDP, FTIR, UV‐Vis, Zetametry) showed that the Freundlich adsorption isotherms had been well fitted, and both OG and SY dyes were intercalated in interlayer space of LHS, where LHS‐CO and LHS‐NC present high uptake capability of SY dye remotion equal a 227.79 and 442.48 (mg g−1) while OG adsorption capability were 2.52 and 6.39 (mg g−1), respectively. For the kinetics study, the best fit was obtained by the pseudo‐second‐order model, whereas the results of intraparticle diffusion show a one‐step adsorption process. Hence, this study demonstrated Zn‐LHS in nanocone morphology, and conventional stone‐like co‐precipitation phase makes them potentially attractive adsorbents in water purification.
Synthesis, Structures and Properties of Angular cis‐Benzothiazinophenothiazine Derivatives
Authors: Zhang Qianyu , Zhang Gang
Published: May 2021

Angular sulfide and sulfone bridged cis‐benzothiazinophenothiazine derivatives with phenyl and benzoyl attached at the amino positions were synthesized and characterized. Crystallographic analyses revealed their twisted structures. The phenyl substituted sulfone bridged benzothiazinophenothiazine demonstrated bright fluorescence emission in both solution and crystalline state. The benzoyl substituted benzothiazinophenothiazine and the sulfone derivatives showed room‐temperature phosphorescence in the crystalline states. The electron‐rich phenyl substituted cis‐benzothiazinophenothiazine compound could be chemically oxidized to monocation and dication with gradually planarized structures depending on the oxidation states.
Metal–Organic Frameworks as a Versatile Materials Platform for Unlocking New Potentials in Biocatalysis
Authors: Liu Jian , Liang Jieying , Xue Jueyi , Liang Kang
Published: May 2021

Biocatalysts immobilization with nanomaterials has promoted the development of biocatalysis significantly and made it an indispensable part of catalysis industries nowadays. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), constructed from organic linkers and metal ions or clusters, have raised significant interests for biocatalysts immobilization in recent years. The diversity of building units, molecular‐scale tunability, and modular synthetic routes of MOFs greatly expand its ability as the host to integrate with biocatalysts. In this review, the general synthetic strategies of MOFs with biocatalysts are first summarized. Then, the recent progress of MOFs as a versatile host for a series of biocatalysts, including natural enzymes, nanozymes, and organism‐based biocatalysts, followed by the introduction of MOFs themselves as biocatalysts, is discussed. Furthermore, the stimuli‐responsive properties of MOFs themselves or the additional functionalization of protein, polymer, and peptide within/on MOF that enable the biocatalysts with the controllable and tunable behavior are also summarized, which could unlock new potentials in biocatalysis. Finally, a perspective of the upcoming challenges, potential impacts, and future directions of biocatalytic MOFs is provided.