bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Managing Colorado River risk
Authors: Fleck John , Udall Brad
Published: May 2021

In the 1920s, E. C. LaRue, a hydrologist at the United States Geological Survey, did an analysis of the Colorado River Basin that revealed the river could not reliably meet future water demands. No one heeded his warning. One hundred years later, water flow through the Colorado River is down by 20% and the basin's Lake Powell and Lake Mead—the nation's two largest reservoirs—are projected to be only 29% full by 2023. This river system, upon which 40 million North Americans in the United States and Mexico depend, is in trouble. But there is an opportunity to manage this crisis. Water allocation agreements from 2007 and 2019, designed to deal with a shrinking river, will be renegotiated over the next 4 years. Will decision-makers and politicians follow the science?
Isolation of Mycobacterium chelonei from a granulomatous lesion in a pig
Authors: Thoen C O , Himes E M
Published: May 2021

A rapidly growing, non-photochromogenic acid-fast organism was isolated from a lesion in a 6-month-old pig. The isolate was subsequently identified as Mycobacterium chelonei by its growth rate, but its failure to reduce nitrates, and by being arylsulfatase positive at 3 days.
Esculin hydrolysis by Enterobacteriaceae
Authors: Edberg S C , Pittman S , Singer J M
Published: May 2021

Literature reports disagree concerning esculin hydrolysis in the family Enterobacteriaceae. A total of 2,490 strains of the family were investigated for esculin hydrolysis by two methods, the esculin spot test and the PathoTec incubation strip, which measures constitutive enzyme, and five growth-supporting methods, which determine both constitutive and inducible enzymes. The five growth-supporting media studied were: Vaughn-Levine, the standard esculin hydrolysis medium (P. R. Edwards and W. H. Ewing, Identification of Enterobacteriaceae, 3rd ed., 1972); Vaughn-Levine without iron; Vaughn-Levine without Andrade's indicator; and bile-esculin medium. Growth media were incubated at 35 degrees C and checked every 24 h for 120 h. On growth media, 0.3% of Escherichia coli were positive in 24 h, 34% in 48 h, and 61% in 120 h. No strains were positive on the "nongrowth" tests. It appeared that the esculin hydrolysis enzyme(s) of E. coli was inducible rather than constitutive. All esculin hydrolyzers, which yielded positive tests on "constitutive tests" and 24-h tests, were limited to the genera Klebsiella, Enterobacter, and Serratia and species of Proteus vulgaris, Proteus rettgeri, and Citrobacter diversus. When used with standardized inoculum size and incubation time, the esculin hydrolysis test is very useful for differentiation within the family Enterobacteriaceae.
Pharyngeal carriage of group B streptococci: detection by three methods
Authors: Ferrieri P , Blair L L
Published: May 2021

The prevalence of pharyngeal carriage of group B streptococci was evaluated in patients with and without the complaint of a sore throat by three methods (blood agar plates, Columbia CNA agar plates, and a selective enrichment broth containing gentamicin and nalidixic acid). The overall carriage rate of group B streptococci was 12%, and there was no significant difference between the two groups of patients. The selective broth medium was more sensitive than the two solid agar plate methods in detecting carriage, and 37% of all group B streptococci were recovered solely from the broth. Use of the broth alone would have permitted a 94% detection of the group B streptococcal carriers.
Improved dispenser for use in preparing prereduced, anaerobically sterilized medium
Authors: Fulghum R S
Published: May 2021

An improved, all glass, gravity-fed quantitative device for dispensing media during preparation of prereduced, anaerobically sterilized media with minimal loss due to oxidation of media is described.
Development of specific tests for rapid detection of Escherichia coli and all species of Proteus in urine
Authors: Hayward N J , Jeavons T H , Nicholson A J , Thornton A G
Published: May 2021

Proteus mirabilis was distinguishable from Escherichia coli and from several other species that may be associated with urinary tract infections when grown in a nutrient medium supplemented with 0.1 M L-methionine by the formation of large amounts of dimethyl disulfide and methyl mercaptan, which were detected by head-space gas-liquid chromatography (HS-GLC). E. coli could be detected by the same HS-GLC technique by ethanol production from methionine peptone water enriched with 1% either lactose or arabinose but not by any product from 10 amino acids tested. Ethanol from lactose was detected early in the exponential phase of growth. Significant numbers, 10(5) or more per ml, of E. coli in urine could be detected in about 5 h by ethanol production from an unshaken culture of urine in lactose methionine peptone water buffered at pH 7.2 (urine test medium); only a trace of dimethyl disulfide was produced. Significant numbers of P. mirabilis in urine could be detected in 4 h by dimethyl disulfide production and in 5 h by methyl mercaptan production from a shaken culture of urine in urine test medium; no ethanol was produced. Incubation of urine specimens in the test medium followed by examination by HS-GLC is proposed as a rapid method of detecting whether or not the urine contains significant numbers of E. coli or a species of Proteus.
Persistence of serum antibody to hepatitis B core antigen
Authors: Hansson B G
Published: May 2021

The purpose of the present study was to measure the amount of antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) in different populations by the immunoelectroosmophoresis method. High titers of anti-HBc, up to 1/4,096, were found in the acute stage of hepatitis B virus infections and in the chronic carrier state of hepatitis B surface antigen. In cases of acute hepatitis the anti-HBc titers gradually declined to low levels but persisted for the observation time of 5 to 6 years. Individuals positive for antibodies to hepatitis B surface and core antigens selected from a Swedish "normal" population showed still lower anti-HBc titers, indicating that the hepatitis B infection had occurred earlier. The anti-HBc titers in sera drawn at intervals of 4 years from a group of hemophilia patients may indicate previous infection with replicating hepatitis B virus rather than immunization with noninfectious hepatitis B core antigen material.
Microwave oven irradiation as a method for bacterial decontamination in a clinical microbiology laboratory
Authors: Latimer J M , Matsen J M
Published: May 2021

Exposure of 10 frequently isolated clinical pathogens to microwave irradiation resulted in total sterilization with 60 s. Time exposure experiments done with commercially prepared test strips containing Bacillus stearothermophilus spores indicated that 5-min exposure was adequate to insure sterility of small, contaminated loads.
Unusual Enterobacteriaceae. "Proteus rettgeri" that "change" into Providencia stuartii
Authors: Farmer J J , Hickman F W , Brenner D J , Schreiber M , Rickenbach D G
Published: May 2021

A blood culture bottle from a patient with bacteremia contained both Proteus rettgeri biogroup 5 and Providencia stuartii (described in Bergey's Manual of Determinative Bactiology [8th ed., 1974] as Proteus inconstans), which had the same unusual antibiotic resistance pattern. Single colonies of this P. rettgeri biogroup 5 isolate were shown to produce urea- clones. If current taxonomy is used, the strain changed from P. rettgeri to P. stuartii in the laboratory and probably also in the patient. Urea- clones were also found in three of six other strains of P. rettgeri biogroup 5. No urea-negative clones were found in two isolates each of P. rettgeri biogroups 1 and 3. Previous data from deoxyribonucleic acid-deoxyribonucleic acid hybridization, biochemical reactions, and serological cross-reactions all have indicated that the taxon now called P. rettgeri biogroup 5 should be classified as P. stuartii urea+. We propose that this taxonomic change be made. Urease production is probably plasmid mediated in P. stuartii urea+ and can easily be lost, as shown in our case report and in three stock cultures. Urea hydrolysis will no longer be the key test for differentiating P. rettgeri from P. stuartii. Rather, acid production from trehalose, D-arabitol, adonitol, and D-mannitol will be the key tests. Whereas P. rettgeri is usually trehalose-, D-arabitol+, adonitol+, and D-mannitol+, P. stuartii has the opposite reactions.
Diagnostic medium containing inositol, urea, and caffeic acid for selective growth of Cryptococcus neoformans
Authors: Healy M E , Dillavou C L , Taylor G E
Published: May 2021

An agar medium containing inositol and urea as sole carbon and nitrogen sources, caffeic acid and ferric citrate as agents for the selective pigmentation of Cryptococcus neoformans, gentamicin as a broad-spectrum bacterial antibiotic, and yeast nitrogen base without amino acids and ammonium sulfate (Difco) was tested against 137 clinical isolates, 4 survey specimens, and 11 ATCC yeast and yeast-like strains. All 28 strains of C. neoformans showed heavy growth and dark brown pigmentation after 36 h. All other tested species of Cryptococcus showed heavy growth after 36 h but only light brown pigmentation after 48 h. No growth was observed in any tested strains of Geotrichum, Pityrosporum, Rhodotorula, Saccharomyces, and Torulopsis. Only the Cryptococcus-like Candida humicola grew of the 8 species and 62 strains of Candida tested. Six of 15 strains of Trichosporon cutaneum and 1 of 2 strains of Trichosporon pullulans showed moderate growth after 48 h. Very different colonial and microscopic morphology and/or the absence of brown pigmentation easily differentiated these strains of T. cutaneum, T. pullulans, and C. humicola from C. neoformans. The growth- and pigmentation-providing characteristics of the medium were unaffected by 2 h of exposure to 254 nm of ultraviolet light.
Simplified silver-plating stain for flagella
Authors: West M , Burdash N M , Freimuth F
Published: May 2021

Rhodes' silver-plating technique for staining flagella was tested for its reliability and convenience as a routine procedure in the clinical laboratory. Modifications were made in the stain preparation and the procedure of staining and were tested with smears of known motile gram-negative nonfermentative bacilli. The stain has proved to be accurate and reliable and can be easily utilized with a minimum of training.
Isolation of
Streptococcus equinus
from Non-Respiratory Sources in Children
Authors: Bump Charles M.
Published: May 2021

Streptococcus equinus
, a non-enterococcal streptococcus, was isolated with increased frequency in a pediatric population.
Vesicular stomatitis virus causes abortion and neonatal death in ferrets
Authors: Suffin S C , Muck K B , Porter D D
Published: May 2021

Vesicular stomatitis virus caused transplacental infection in ferrets, resulting in infant death. No clinically significant illness was observed in the adult, despite histological changes in the uterus, liver, and spleen.
Acetylene reduction (dinitrogen fixation) by clinical isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: Chambers C A , Silver W S
Published: May 2021

Freshly isolated clinical strains of Klebsiella were tested for the ability to fix dinitrogen by the acetylene reduction assay. Ability to detect this trait was markedly affected by cultural conditions. When the test was run at 37 degrees C in the presence of yeast extract (50 mg/liter), only 1.6% of the organisms were diazotrophs, whereas this temperature without yeast extract yielded 12.9% positive cultures. The optimum condition found was 28 degrees C without yeast extract (21.9% positive); therefore, search for diazotrophy in clinical strains should not be conducted at the usual incubation temperature. There was a high incidence of indole-positive strains among diazotrophs. No such correlation was noted with any other biochemical trait or antibiotic susceptibility tested. The significance of this correlation is not apparent.
Yersinia enterocolitica
: Biochemical, Serological, and Gas-Liquid Chromatographic Characterization of Rhamnose-, Raffinose-, Melibiose-, and Citrate-Utilizing Strains
Authors: Chester Brent , Stotzky Guenther , Bottone Edward J. , Malowany Moises S. , Allerhand Jona
Published: May 2021

Thirteen atypical
Yersinia enterocolitica
isolates, all fermenting rhamnose, raffinose, and melibiose and utilizing sodium citrate within 24 to 48 h at 22°C (
Y.e.rh
+), were examined biochemically-serologically, and by gas-liquid chromatography. These data, as well as cultural, biochemical, and antibiotic susceptibility data gathered from two previous studies involving (i) these same atypical
Y.e.rh
+ isolates, (ii)
Y. enterocolitica
serotypes O:1 through O:15 (rhamnose, raffinose, and citrate negative [
Y.e.rh
−]), (iii)
Y. enterocolitica
serotype O:16 (rhamnose positive but raffinose and citrate negative), and (iv)
Yersinia pseudotuberculosis
serogroups I through V were statistically compared. Both preand postabsorption agglutination studies demonstrated the serological distinctiveness of
Y.e.rh
+ from
Y.e.rh
− and
Y. pseudotuberculosis
. At the same time, three immunological groups among the 13
Y.e.rh
+ strains were seen; 8 corresponded to
Y. enterocolitica
serotype O:17; 1 to
Y. enterocolitica
serotype O:16; and the remaining four were nontypable in antisera against known
Y. enterocolitica
antigen types. Each of the three
Yersinia
groups tested chromatographically produced acetic and lactic acids. Both
Y.e.rh
− and
Y.e.rh
+ formed propionic acid, but only
Y.e.rh
+ produced detectable amounts of succinic acid. Based on 49 variables, statistical analysis of the three
Yersinia
groups studied placed each of the
Y.e.rh
+ strains in a homogeneous group separate from both
Y.e.rh
− and
Y. pseudotuberculosis
. These data, coupled with deoxyribonucleic acid homology studies of Brenner and co-workers (D. J. Brenner, A. G. Steigerwalt, D. F. Falcao, R. E. Weaver, and G. R. Fanning, Int. J. Syst. Bacteriol.
26
:180-194, 1976), support the distinctiveness of
Y.e.rh
+ from typical
Y. enterocolitica
and
Y. pseudotuberculosis
.
Rapid detection of bacterial growth in blood samples by a continuous-monitoring electrical impedance apparatus
Authors: Specter S , Throm R , Strauss R , Friedman H
Published: May 2021

A growth detection method utilizing an automated apparatus capable of rapidly detecting bacterial growth by measuring changes of electrical impedance in bacteriological medium was utilized with "mock" blood cultures containing various gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. Measurement of changes of electrical impedance was found to ba as accurate and comparable for time of growth detection as the radiometric method for detection of the same bacteria using mock blood cultures. In a limited clinical trial the use of the electrical impedance apparatus detected in 1 positive specimen from 40 clinical blood specimens as rapidly as by radiometric measurement. Both methods were considerably faster for detecting bacterial growth as compared with conventional culture methods. The selected species of gram-positive and -negative organisms tested were all detected by the electrical impedance method, including aerobes and anerobes. However, addition of 5% CO2 to the incubation atmosphere enhanced detection of gram-positive organisms.
Rotavirus isolation and cultivation in the presence of trypsin
Authors: Babiuk L A , Mohammed K , Spence L , Fauvel M , Petro R
Published: May 2021

Rotaviruses are generally difficult to isolate and culture in vitro; therefore, virus isolation has not been used as a method of diagnosing this group of agents. The present report describes a simple procedure for isolating bovine rotaviruses directly from feces after pretreatment of fecal samples with trypsin. This procedure resulted in virus isolation from five of five samples that contained virus particles, as demonstrated by electron microscopy, and four of seven samples where virus particles could not be observed but were considered positive by the presence of immunofluorescent-staining cells in feces. Virus could not be isolated from "normal" feces. If the virus was not passaged in the presence of trypsin, the infectivity was gradually lost, but infectivity could be restored again if trypsin was added, resulting in increased virus spread and concomitant increase in virus yield. The application of this technique as a diagnostic tool for bovine and other rotaviruses is briefly discussed.
Understanding the influence of socioeconomic status on the association between combinations of lifestyle factors and adverse health outcomes: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Foster Hamish , Polz Peter , Mair Frances , Gill Jason , O'Donnell Catherine A
Published: May 2021

Introduction

Combinations of unhealthy lifestyle factors are strongly associated with mortality, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer. It is unclear how socioeconomic status (SES) affects those associations. Lower SES groups may be disproportionately vulnerable to the effects of unhealthy lifestyle factors compared with higher SES groups via interactions with other factors associated with low SES (eg, stress) or via accelerated biological ageing. This systematic review aims to synthesise studies that examine how SES moderates the association between lifestyle factor combinations and adverse health outcomes. Greater understanding of how lifestyle risk varies across socioeconomic spectra could reduce adverse health by (1) identifying novel high-risk groups or targets for future interventions and (2) informing research, policy and interventions that aim to support healthy lifestyles in socioeconomically deprived communities.

Methods and analysis

Three databases will be searched (PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL) from inception to March 2020. Reference lists, citations and grey literature will also be searched. Inclusion criteria are: (1) prospective cohort studies; (2) investigations of two key exposures: (a) lifestyle factor combinations of at least three lifestyle factors (eg, smoking, physical activity and diet) and (b) SES (eg, income, education or poverty index); (3) an assessment of the impact of SES on the association between combinations of unhealthy lifestyle factors and health outcomes; (4) at least one outcome from—mortality (all cause, CVD and cancer), CVD or cancer incidence. Two independent reviewers will screen titles, abstracts and full texts of included studies. Data extraction will focus on cohort characteristics, exposures, direction and magnitude of SES effects, methods and quality (via Newcastle-Ottawa Scale). If appropriate, a meta-analysis, pooling the effects of SES, will be performed. Alternatively, a synthesis without meta-analysis will be conducted.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval is not required. Results will be disseminated via peer-reviewed publication, professional networks, social media and conference presentations.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42020172588.
Pegfilgrastim safety and efficacy on the last chemotherapy day versus the next: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Ma Xiaohua , Kang Jian , Li Yufang , Zhang Xiaojian
Published: May 2021

Objectives

To investigate the efficacy and safety of pegfilgrastim administered on the day of chemotherapy completion (same day) versus at least 1 day after chemotherapy (next day).

Methods

We searched relevant literature published before April 2020 from the following databases: Embase, PubMed, Cochrane databases and Web of science.

Results

One randomised controlled trial and 12 observational studies met all of the prespecified criteria for eligibility. The meta-analysis showed a significantly higher febrile neutropenia (FN) rate for the same-day group than that for the next-day arm in the first chemotherapy cycle (OR=2.56, 95% CI 1.19 to 5.48, p=0.02), and in all chemotherapy cycles (OR=1.54, 95% CI 1.29 to 1.84, p<0.00001). Results of subgroup analysis showed a higher FN rate in the same-day arm than in the next-day group for patients with breast cancer (OR=5.50, 95% CI 2.29 to 13.23, p=0.0001) and lymphoma (OR=1.53, 95% CI 1.00 to 2.34, p=0.05). The pooled analysis of studies on gynaecological malignancies showed that patients in the same-day group had a higher incidence of bone pain (OR=1.30, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.68, p=0.04) and a lower incidence of chemotherapy delay (OR=0.71, 95% CI 0.53 to 0.96, p=0.03) compared with the next-day group.

Conclusions

Same-day administration of pegfilgrastim resulted in increased incidence of FN compared with the next-day schedule. This is especially true for patients with breast cancer or lymphoma. These results do not support same-day administration of pegfilgrastim .
Epileptic EEG Classification by Using Time-Frequency Images for Deep Learning
Authors: Ozdemir Mehmet Akif , Cura Ozlem Karabiber , Akan Aydin
Published: May 2021

Epilepsy is one of the most common brain disorders worldwide. The most frequently used clinical tool to detect epileptic events and monitor epilepsy patients is the EEG recordings. There have been proposed many computer-aided diagnosis systems using EEG signals for the detection and prediction of seizures. In this study, a novel method based on Fourier-based Synchrosqueezing Transform (SST), which is a high-resolution time-frequency (TF) representation, and Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) is proposed to detect and predict seizure segments. SST is based on the reassignment of signal components in the TF plane which provides highly localized TF energy distributions. Epileptic seizures cause sudden energy discharges which are well represented in the TF plane by using the SST method. The proposed SST-based CNN method is evaluated using the IKCU dataset we collected, and the publicly available CHB-MIT dataset. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed approach yields high average segment-based seizure detection precision and accuracy rates for both datasets (IKCU: 98.99% PRE and 99.06% ACC; CHB-MIT: 99.81% PRE and 99.63% ACC). Additionally, SST-based CNN approach provides significantly higher segment-based seizure prediction performance with 98.54% PRE and 97.92% ACC than similar approaches presented in the literature using the CHB-MIT dataset.
A comparison of three methods to assess natural source zone depletion at paved fuel retail sites
Authors: Smith Jonathon J. , Benede Enrique , Beuthe Birgitta , Marti Manuel , Lopez Amaya Sayas , Koons Brad W. , Kirkman Andrew J. , Barreales Luis A. , Grosjean Thomas , Hjort Markus
Published: May 2021

Natural source zone depletion (NSZD) encompasses all processes that result in petroleum hydrocarbon light non-aqueous phase liquid (LNAPL) mass loss. Vertical gas transport between the subsurface and atmosphere is a key component of NSZD. Gas exchange with the atmosphere may be restricted at sites with ground cover, which is typical for European fuel retail sites. This raises questions of whether, and to what extent, the generic NSZD conceptual model applies at these sites. Here, we present a study that evaluated how concrete and asphalt pavement affected NSZD processes and data interpretation for three NSZD assessment methods: soil gas concentration gradient, biogenic heat and carbon dioxide traps. All methods demonstrated that NSZD was occurring and NSZD rates were generally within the low end of values reported in the literature for unpaved sites. However, there was considerable variability in the rates, which highlights the need for careful examination of the conceptual site model and potential interferences for each method. The results demonstrate the viability of soil gas and temperature data collected from existing monitoring wells screened into the unsaturated zone without the need for additional, intrusive subsurface installations. The results also provide useful guidance for developing optimal long-term NSZD monitoring approaches, where necessary.
Fabrication of an Active PCB-MEMS Microfluidic Chip for CHO Cells Characterization by Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy
Authors: González-Peña Omar Israel , Contreras-Saenz Michael , Camacho-León Sergio , Rodríguez-Delgado José Manuel , Gaviria-Pastore Giancarlo , Gordillo José Luis
Published: May 2021

This paper reports the use of laser ablation for the fabrication of a microfluidic device with integrated electrodes on a printed circuit board (PCB-MEMS). The fabricated novel device has flame retardant (FR)−4 resin as substrate, copper (Cu) as active material, and SU-8 polymer as a structural material. The resolution, repeatability, and simplicity achieved in this approach, along with the low cost of the involved materials and methods, enable an affordable micromachining technique with a rapid fabrication-test cycle to develop active microfluidic systems on a chip. Furthermore, an Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) analysis was performed at different Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cell concentrations (105 to 108 cfu ml−1) to validate device assembly and functionality. The electrical properties of the system were characterized and discussed through a proposed equivalent circuit model comprising five passive elements. The model describes ohmic and non-ideal capacitive behavior of the cytoplasm and membrane of the CHO cells as well as the suspending medium and electrical connections of the device. Likewise, two characteristic times associated with relaxation processes caused by a change in the path of charge transport through the cells are determined.
Non-Enzymatic Hydrogen Peroxide Sensor Based on Fe3O4@Polydopamine-Ag Nanocomposite Modified Magnetic Glassy Carbon Electrode
Authors: Luo Mingrong , Zhang Yajing , Zhao Shuang
Published: May 2021

A novel electrocatalyst, Fe3O4@Polydopamine-Ag nanocomposite, was successfully synthesized by a facile and environmentally friendly method. Fe3O4 nanoparticles were initially coated with polydopamine (PDA) via self-polymerization. Then, Ag nanoparticles were in situ deposited onto the surface of PDA functionalized Fe3O4 nanoparticles due to the reductive feature of PDA. The as-prepared Fe3O4@PDA-Ag nanocomposite was characterized by TEM, XRD, XPS and VSM. Moreover, antibacterial tests indicated that the Fe3O4@PDA-Ag nanocomposite exhibited excellent antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli. For the fabrication of sensor, Fe3O4@PDA-Ag nanocomposite was firmly immobilized onto the magnetic glassy carbon electrode as a result of the powerful magnetism interaction. The electrochemical behaviors of the sensor were interrogated by cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry. The sensor exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity toward the reduction of H2O2. In the optimum conditions, the linear response range of the constructed H2O2 sensor was from 0.1 to 17.0 mM with a detection limit of 1.6 μM (S/N = 3). In addition, the sensor exhibited long-term stability and good reproducibility, which is a promising analytical tool for the detection of real samples.
Solvent Mediated Fabrication of Ditched Hollow Indium Sulfide (In2S3) Spheres for Overall Electrocatalytic Water Splitting
Authors: Shamraiz Umair , Elizbit  , Badshah Amin , Alfantazi Akram , Hussain Hidayat , Raza Bareera , Ullah Sajid , Green Ivan Robert
Published: May 2021

The controlled synthesis of nanomaterials is of prime importance in modern-day science. We report the shape-controlled synthesis of In2S3 spheres via a one-step solvent-mediated method. The process is very economical as it only requires the switching of solvent during synthesis (pure ethylene glycol, ethylene glycol/water, and ethylene glycol/ethanol mixtures) to fabricate porous and hollow In2S3 spheres. We have deliberately chosen a high boiling solvent and a combination of high and low boiling solvents to control the morphology. The synthesized In2S3 hollow spheres proved to be electrocatalytically active for an overall electrocatalytic water splitting and drive the oxygen evolution reactions at 230 mV and the hydrogen evolution reactions at 239 mV to produce a current density of 10 mA cm−2, respectively.
Arterial stiffness responses to prolonged sitting combined with a high-glycemic-index meal: a double-blind, randomized crossover trial
Authors: Kelsch Elizabeth , Diana Jake C. , Burnet Kathryn , Hanson Erik D. , Fryer Simon F. , Credeur Daniel P. , Stone Keeron J. , Stoner Lee
Published: May 2021

We used novel statistical techniques and study design characteristics to examine how the cardiovascular disruptions due to prolonged sitting are changed after the consumption of low- and high-glycemic-index meals. The current study indicates that changes in arterial stiffness due to prolonged sitting are not worsened in young, healthy adults after the consumption of a high-glycemic-index meal.
A Genomic-Clinicopathologic Nomogram for the Prediction of Lymph Node Invasion in Prostate Cancer
Authors: Zheng Zongtai , Mao Shiyu , Gu Zhuoran , Wang Ruiliang , Guo Yadong , Zhang Wentao , Yao Xudong
Published: May 2021

Background. Lymph node status is important for treatment decision making in prostate cancer (PCa). We aimed to develop a genomic-clinicopathologic nomogram for the prediction of lymph node invasion (LNI) in PCa. Methods. Differentially expressed genes between LNI and non-LNI PCa samples were identified in the Cancer Genome Atlas database. Univariate Cox regression analysis and minimum redundancy maximum relevance were performed for gene selection. The synthetic minority oversampling technique (SMOTE) was conducted to balance the minority group (LNI group). Machine learning models were constructed in the training set and assessed in the validation set. Univariable logistic regression and multivariable logistic regression were applied to build a nomogram. Furthermore, the RNA-sequence data from our center were used to validate the expression levels of hub genes between five matched primary PCa and the corresponding LNI samples. Results. The 37-gene-based support vector machine (SVM) model had the optimal synthesized performance in the SMOTE-balanced training (area under the curve (AUC): 0.947) and validation (AUC: 0.901) sets. Incorporating the SVM-based risk score and the Gleason grade, the genomic-clinicopathologic nomogram demonstrated good prediction and calibration both in the SMOTE-balanced training (AUC: 0.946) and validation (AUC: 0.910) sets. The dysregulated expression of hub genes between PCa and LNI samples was also validated. Conclusion. The proposed nomogram combining the 37-gene-based SVM model with the Gleason grade had the potential to preoperatively predict LNI in PCa. Some of the hub genes should be prioritized for functional studies and mechanistic analyses.
Defluoridation of Aqueous Solution Using Thermally Activated Biosorbents Prepared from Adansonia digitata Fruit Pericarp
Authors: Mihayo David , Vegi Maheswara Rao , Vuai Said Ali Hamad
Published: May 2021

The presence of fluoride ions in water poses a significant danger to human health. In Tanzania, where the Rift Valley passes, some people are impaired due to elevated levels of fluoride in water. The purpose of this study was to prepare thermally activated Adansonia digitata fruit pericarp biosorbents at 450, 500, 550, and 600°C for defluoridation. Using the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analyzer, the surface area and pore diameter were measured. The scanning electron microscope and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry were used to determine morphological features and functional groups of biosorbents. To analyze the effect of pH, adsorbent dose, contact time, and initial concentration, the response surface methodology was applied. Adsorption isotherms, kinetics, and regeneration studies were also conducted. There were considerably wide surface areas of 385.44, 399.27, 445.71, and 447.70 m2/g and pore diameters of 0.3055, 3.0341, 3.0375, and 3.0471 nm for biosorbents activated at 450, 500, 550, and 600°C, respectively. FT-IR spectra indicated the oxidation of alcoholic –OH to carboxylic –OH during the activation process, which is proved by the shifting of the peak at 3500-3000 cm-1 from raw biosorbent to a very broad and strong band at 3500-2000 cm-1 from the activated biosorbent. The maximum removal efficiencies of biosorbents activated at 450, 500, 550, and 600°C were 95.55, 96.50, 97.65, and 98.36%, respectively, for all biosorbents at a pH of 2, an initial concentration of 27.50 ppm, a contact period of 75.00 minutes, and an adsorbent dose of 5.50 g, which indicates that the adsorbents were successful for fluoride removal. The isotherms and kinetics indicated that the adsorption fitted well with Freundlich ([Formula: see text]) and pseudo-second-order ([Formula: see text]) kinetic adsorption models, respectively. The results showed that the removal of fluoride by biosorbents prepared is effective and could be used for defluoridation of drinking water.
Experimental Study on the Dielectric Model of Common Asphalt Pavement Surface Materials Based on the L‐R Model
Authors: Zhong Yanhui , Gao Yanlong , Zhang Bei , Li Songtao , Cui Hongchuan , Li Xiaolong , Zhao Han
Published: May 2021

The establishment of a dielectric model of the asphalt pavement surface material is the premise and key to applying the electromagnetic wave technology to asphalt pavement nondestructive testing. Asphalt pavement can be made of different materials, including various types of asphalt mixtures. Therefore, in order to study and analyze the dielectric properties of different types of asphalt mixtures and establish a dielectric model of the asphalt pavement surface material, this paper studies four types of asphalt mixtures commonly used in the asphalt pavement surface course. Based on the comparative analysis of three classical models, the complex refractive index method (CRIM), Brown, and Looyenga; based on the L‐R model, the linear regression analysis was conducted on the test data. The dielectric models which are suitable for the interpretation of four types of asphalt mixtures were established, and the dielectric model database of asphalt pavement surface materials was extended, which provides theoretical and technical support for nondestructive testing of the asphalt pavement.
Security-Oriented Network Architecture
Authors: Jiang Weiyu , Liu Bingyang , Wang Chuang , Yang Xue
Published: May 2021

Internet benefits societies by constantly connecting devices and transmitting data across the world. However, due to the lack of architectural built-in security, the pervasive network attacks faced by the entire information technology are considered to be unending and inevitable. As Internet evolves, security issues are regularly fixed according to a patch-like strategy. Nevertheless, the patch-like strategy generally results in arms races and passive situations, leaving an endless lag in both existing and emerging attacking surface. In this paper, we present NAIS (Network Architecture with Intrinsic Security)—a network architecture towards trustworthiness and security. By solving stubborn security issues like IP spoofing, MITM (man-in-the-middle) attacks, and DDoS (distributed denial of service) attacks at architectural level, NAIS is envisioned to provide the most secure end-to-end communication in the network layer. This paper first presents a comprehensive analysis of network security at Internet range. Then, the system design of NAIS is elaborated with particular design philosophies and four security techniques. Such philosophies and techniques intertwine internally and contribute to a communication environment with authenticity, privacy, accountability, confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Finally, we evaluate the security functionalities on the packet forwarding performance, demonstrating that NAIS can efficiently provide security and trustworthiness in Internet end-to-end communication.
Briquetting of Dry Sugarcane Leaves by Using Press Mud, Cow Dung, and Buffalo Dung as Binders
Authors: Patil Rahul A. , Deshannavar Umesh B. , Ramasamy M. , Emani Sampath , Issakhov Alibek , Khalilpoor Nima
Published: May 2021

The world’s population is increasing rapidly. This means that energy consumption and demand for energy are also increasing at the same rate. It is estimated that energy will need to be provided to 9 to 10 billion people by 2040. India is a leading consumer of energy in the world. In particular, it consumes a large amount of oil and natural gas to fulfil its energy demand. Due to uncertainty in the supply of oil and natural gas and their prices as well as environmental pollution, there is a need to shift towards other energy sources. Biomass is one of the first energy sources with specific properties and abundant availability. Today, 10% to 14% of the world’s energy supply is provided by biomass sources. Using agricultural waste (biomass) to make briquettes to generate power can be an alternative solution to the problems related to their disposal and pollution. The present work investigates the optimum ratio of dry sugarcane leaves to binders and optimum load and selects the best binder (cow dung, buffalo dung, and press mud) for making high-quality briquettes. The physical parameters and proximate analysis of the dry sugarcane leaf briquettes with the cow dung, buffalo dung, and press mud binders are investigated. The dry sugarcane leaf briquettes with the cow dung binder have the highest gross calorific value, net calorific value, split tensile strength, tumbling resistance, shatter resistance, and energy density ratio (16262.31 kJ/kg, 15362.1 kJ/kg, 7.164 kN/m2, 87.84%, 12.75%, and 0.9296, respectively). The estimated results show that cow dung is a better binder for making high-quality dry sugarcane leaf briquettes than the buffalo dung and press mud binders.
Potential Pathogenicity of Candida Species Isolated from Oral Cavity of Patients with Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Nouraei Hasti , Jahromi Mehdi Ghaderian , Jahromi Leila Razeghian , Zomorodian Kamiar , Pakshir Keyvan
Published: May 2021

Introduction. In the recent decade, the increased immunocompromised population such as diabetic patients makes a high incidence of invasive Candida infections. Diabetes mellitus is the most common endocrine metabolic disorder, and diabetic patients are more susceptible to oral candidiasis infection. Candidiasis is an opportunistic fungal infection caused by many species of Candida. Secretion of exoenzymes plays an important role in the virulence and pathogenesis of Candida species. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential role of phospholipase, esterase, and hemolytic activity of Candida species isolated from oral cavity lesions of diabetic patients. Methods. A total of 108 Candida species including 75 Candida albicans and 33 non‐Candida albicans species were recovered from the oral cavity of diabetic patients included in our study. Egg yolk agar, Tween 80 opacity medium, and blood agar plate assays were used for determining phospholipase, esterase, and hemolytic activities, respectively. Results. Candida albicans species had the most exoenzyme activity in comparison to non-albicans isolates. Candida albicans isolates showed 97.3%, 100%, and 77.3% phospholipase, hemolysin, and esterase activities, respectively. The difference between Candida albicans and non‐Candida albicans was significant in phospholipase (P < 0.001) and hemolytic activity (P = 0.027), but not significant in esterase activity (P = 0.076). Conclusion. This study showed that most of the isolates had different enzymatic patterns, and Candida albicans isolates had the most exoenzyme activity. So due to the potential effects of these enzymes in pathogenesis and virulence effects of Candida species, we can conclude that the severity of extracellular enzymes may play a role in the severity of signs and symptoms of Candida oral cavity infections in diabetic patients.
Model Test and Back Analysis of Shield Tunnel Load Distribution in Soft Clay
Authors: Niu Haoshuang , Weng Xiaolin , Tian Chao , Wang Deng
Published: May 2021

Combined with the soft clay layer of Foshan metro, a back‐analysis method combining model test and numerical simulation is developed. First, the similitude criterion for the model used in this study was derived from similarity theory and elasticity mechanics equations. Artificial clay is prepared by mixing kaolin, bentonite, loess, and river sand in proportions of 4 : 2: 3 : 1. Gypsum, water, and borax are mixed in proportions of 1 : 0.7 : 0.015 to simulate the tunnel lining. The model tests were carried out based on four load modes: the combination of mode 1, vertical load distribution and horizontal load linear distribution, mode 2, vertical load distribution and horizontal load parabolic distribution, mode 3, vertical load parabolic distribution and horizontal load linear distribution, and mode 4, vertical and horizontal load parabolic distribution. Then, the calculation model corresponding to the four load modes is established using ABAQUS, and the measured data is back‐analyzed as the known quantity. The specific load values obtained were 359 kPa, 380 kPa, 361 kPa, and 368 kPa by the load‐internal force curve. The bending moment and axial force are calculated by substituting the back‐analysis load values back into the model and comparing the results with the measured values; it was found that the internal forces under the back‐calculation load still deviated by varying degrees. By using the comprehensive error function E to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of the four distribution modes, the comprehensive errors are 4.3%, 1.7%, 6.5%, and 5.9%, respectively. That is, the error of load distribution of mode 2 (the combination of vertical load distribution and horizontal load parabolic distribution) is the lowest and is highly consistent with the measured value, which is the closest to the characteristics of the load pattern of the stratum.
Biomarkers Associating with PARP Inhibitor Benefit in Prostate Cancer in the TOPARP-B Trial
Authors: Carreira Suzanne , Porta Nuria , Arce-Gallego Sara , Seed George , Llop-Guevara Alba , Bianchini Diletta , Rescigno Pasquale , Paschalis Alec , Bertan Claudia , Baker Chloe , Goodall Jane , Miranda Susana , Riisnaes Ruth , Figueiredo Ines , Ferreira Ana , Pereira Rita , Crespo Mateus , Gurel Bora , Nava Rodrigues Daniel , Pettitt Stephen J. , Yuan Wei , Serra Violeta , Rekowski Jan , Lord Christopher J. , Hall Emma , Mateo Joaquin , de Bono Johann S.
Published: May 2021

PARP inhibitors are approved for treating advanced prostate cancers (APC) with various defective DNA repair genes; however, further studies to clinically qualify predictive biomarkers are warranted. Herein we analyzed TOPARP-B phase II clinical trial samples, evaluating whole-exome and low-pass whole-genome sequencing and IHC and IF assays evaluating ATM and RAD51 foci (testing homologous recombination repair function). BRCA1/2 germline and somatic pathogenic mutations associated with similar benefit from olaparib; greater benefit was observed with homozygous BRCA2 deletion. Biallelic, but not monoallelic, PALB2 deleterious alterations were associated with clinical benefit. In the ATM cohort, loss of ATM protein by IHC was associated with a better outcome. RAD51 foci loss identified tumors with biallelic BRCA and PALB2 alterations while most ATM- and CDK12-altered APCs had higher RAD51 foci levels. Overall, APCs with homozygous BRCA2 deletion are exceptional responders; PALB2 biallelic loss and loss of ATM IHC expression associated with clinical benefit.

Significance:

Not all APCs with DNA repair defects derive similar benefit from PARP inhibition. Most benefit was seen among patients with BRCA2 homozygous deletions, biallelic loss of PALB2, and loss of ATM protein. Loss of RAD51 foci, evaluating homologous recombination repair function, was found primarily in tumors with biallelic BRCA1/2 and PALB2 alterations.

This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 2659
Radiation Therapy Improves Local Control in Juvenile Nasopharyngeal Angiofibroma following Disease Progression after Embolization and Surgical Resection: A Case Report
Authors: Blank Zane , Sleightholm Richard , Neilsen Beth , Baine Michael , Lin Chi
Published: May 2021

Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (JNA) is a relatively uncommon, benign neoplasm of the nasopharynx that can be very difficult to diagnose early due to inconspicuous and seemingly harmless presenting symptoms. Early diagnosis and treatment of JNA are essential for a good prognosis. JNA typically responds well to radiation therapy (RT), but when it does not, the most appropriate next course of action has not been readily defined due to the limited occurrence and experience with this neoplasm. Herein, we describe a JNA patient, who continued to progress after surgery and 36 Gy of adjuvant radiation, but after an additional 14.4 Gy, he has remained in remission for over 2 years. An 11-year-old boy who presented with JNA underwent treatment with embolization and surgical resection. Unfortunately, the tumor progressed within 2 months of surgical intervention and he required RT for adequate local control. While undergoing RT, he again demonstrated signs of progression; so his radiation regimen was increased from 3,600 cGy in 20 fractions to 5,040 cGy in 28 fractions. Since completing RT, the tumor has continued to decrease in size, and the patient is stable and has been without signs of disease progression for over 24 months now. Thus, escalating the radiation regimen to 5,040 cGy may improve local control in rapidly progressive JNA.
Postoperative Macular Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy: A Case Series and Literature Review
Authors: Khateb Samer , Aweidah Hamzah , Halpert Michael , Jaouni Tareq
Published: May 2021

Premacular membranes developing following pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) can cause significant anatomical and functional deficits to the macula. Recent reports showed that postoperative premacular membranes are a localized presentation of macular proliferative vitreoretinopathy (mPVR). Here, we report retrospectively a case series of 5 patients with severe mPVR which developed following uneventful PPV and were followed up to 32 months in the Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, between October 2016 and February 2020. All patients underwent primary repair of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) before mPVR developed. Mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at presentation was 20/76 Snellen (0.58 LogMAR). Median duration of the retinal detachment time until surgery was 1.5 days (range 1–21 days). Mean interval time from last normal follow-up exam to diagnosis of mPVR was 19 days (range 10–28). BCVA dropped from a mean of 20/38 Snellen (0.28 LogMAR) prior to mPVR development to 20/166 Snellen (0.92 LogMAR) following its development, recovering to 20/57 Snellen (0.45 LogMAR) after peeling of membranes. Mean central macular thickness measured by optical coherence tomography decreased from 711 to 354 μm postsurgery. In conclusion, short-term mPVR is a different entity from macular pucker in terms of rapid development, structural distortion, and visual compromise. Surgical treatment significantly restores macular function and anatomy.
Prognostic Value of Microvessel Density in Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Wu Jinkun , Ma Shupeima , Sun Lingling , Qin Zhiqiang , Wang Zheng , Wang Ning , Lin Mei
Published: May 2021

Background: Angiogenesis in non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) has been investigated by a variety of studies. However, the correlation between angiogenesis and the occurrence or prognosis of NHL patients remains controversial. Methods: We performed a systematic and comprehensive retrieval of relevant literatures from PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases. The quality of the eligible studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Results: Fifteen eligible studies containing a total of 1373 NHL patients were included in this study. All the eligible studies were high-quality studies scoring ≥6 points. MVD was not different between NHL and control (SMD = 0.281, 95% CI: −1.410 to 1.972, p = 0.745). High MVD was associated with advanced disease stage (OR = 1.580, 95% CI: 1.080–2.311, p = 0.018) and unfavorable OS (HR = 1.656, 95% CI: 1.366–2.009, p = 0.000) but not with PFS (HR = 1.349, 95% CI: 0.852–2.136, p = 0.201). Conclusion: This meta-analysis demonstrated that high MVD was related to advanced disease stage and associated with unfavorable OS of NHL patients.