bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Elucidating biofilm diversity on water lily leaves through 16S rRNA amplicon analysis: Comparison of four DNA extraction kits
Authors: Janssen Kathrin , Low Shook Ling , Wang Yan , Mu Qi‐Yong , Bierbaum Gabriele , Gee Carole T.
Published: August 2021

Premise

Within a broader study on leaf fossilization in freshwater environments, a long‐term study on the development and microbiome composition of biofilms on the foliage of aquatic plants has been initiated to understand how microbes and biofilms contribute to leaf decay and preservation. Here, water lily leaves are employed as a study model to investigate the relationship between bacterial microbiomes, biodegradation, and fossilization. We compare four DNA extraction kits to reduce biases in interpretation and to identify the most suitable kit for the extraction of DNA from bacteria associated with biofilms on decaying water lily leaves for 16S rRNA amplicon analysis.

Methods

We extracted surface‐associated DNA from Nymphaea leaves in early stages of decay at two water depth levels using four commercially available kits to identify the most suitable protocol for bacterial extraction, applying a mock microbial community standard to enable a reliable comparison of the kits.

Results

Kit 4, the FastDNA Spin Kit for Soil, resulted in high DNA concentrations with better quality and yielded the most accurate depiction of the mock community. Comparison of the leaves at two water depths showed no significant differences in community composition.

Discussion

The success of Kit 4 may be attributed to its use of bead beating with a homogenizer, which was more efficient in the lysis of Gram‐positive bacteria than the manual vortexing protocols used by the other kits. Our results show that microbial composition on leaves during early decay remains comparable and may change only in later stages of decomposition.
Cobalt Carbonyls Stabilized by N,P‐Ligands: Synthesis, Structure, and Catalytic Property for Ethylene Oxide Hydroalkoxycarbonylation
Authors: Zhao Jinbo , Wu Peng , Lai Enyi , Li Jiancheng , Chen Yilin , Jiang Wenjun , Wang Binju , Zhu Hongping
Published: September 2021

Reactions of N,P‐Ligands as Ph2P(o‐NMe2C6H4) (1L), 2,6‐iPr2C6H3NHC(Ph)=NC6H4(o‐PPh2) (2L), and Ph2PN(R)PPh2 (R=iPr (3L), cyclo‐C6H11 (4L), tBu (5L), CH2C4H7O (6L)) each with dicobalt octacarbonyl produced complexes [1LCo(CO)3]2 (1), [2LCo(CO)(μ‐CO)2Co(CO)3] (2), [3LCo(CO)3]+[Co(CO)4]− (3), [3LCo(CO)2]2 (4), [4LCo(CO)2]2 (5), [5LCo(CO)2]+[Co(CO)4]− (6), and [6LCo(CO)2]+[Co(CO)4]− (7). Complexes 1–7 have all been structurally characterized by X‐ray crystallography, IR and NMR spectroscopies, and elemental analysis. Catalytic tests on transformation of ethylene oxide (EO), CO and MeOH into methyl 3‐hydroxypropionate (3‐HMP) indicate that complexes 1–7 are active, where ion‐pair complexes 3 and 6–7 behave more excellently (by achieving 88.4–93.6% 3‐HMP yields) than the neutral species 1–2 and 4–5 (35.0–46.5% 3‐HMP yields) when the reactions are all operated at 2 MPa CO pressure and 50 °C in MeOH solvent. Density functional theory (DFT) study by selecting 3 as a model suggests a cooperative catalytic reaction mechanism by [Co(CO)4]− and its counter cation [3LCo(CO)3]+. The cobalt‐homonuclear ion‐pair catalyzed hydroalkoxycarbonylation of EO is present herein.
Erneuerung einer festen Fahrbahn der Bahn unter Verwendung von UHFB – weltweit erstmaliger Einsatz von UHFB im Gleisbau – Teil 1: Bericht über Technologie, Wirtschaftlichkeit und Baumanagement
Authors: Hochuli Antonina , Trouillet Jean‐Georges , Brühwiler Eugen , Schulz Olaf , Hoffmann Michael
Published: September 2021

Dieser Aufsatz in zwei Teilen berichtet über die Instandsetzung und Anpassung der festen Fahrbahn im stark frequentierten unterirdischen Bahnhof Zürich Flughafen. Die 1980 eingebaute feste Fahrbahn hatte die vom Systemanbieter vorausgesagte Nutzungsdauer erreicht und wies Schäden auf. Damit die Bahnsteige die Vorgaben des Behindertengleichstellungsgesetzes (BehiG) erfüllen, musste außerdem die Gleisgeometrie abschnittweise durch eine Absenkung angepasst werden. Aus diesem Grund war ein einfacher Austausch der Schwellenblöcke nicht möglich und eine Sonderlösung erforderlich. Mit der Anwendung des ultrahochleistungsfähigen zementgebundenen Faserverbundbaustoffs UHFB wurde eine nachhaltige und wirtschaftliche Lösung für ein Projekt gefunden, bei dem eine traditionelle Lösung zeit‐ und kostenaufwendig gewesen wäre. Außerdem wurde im Rahmen dieses Projekts festgestellt, dass die Anwendung des UHFB mit deutlich verbesserten mechanischen Eigenschaften die Nutzungsdauer der festen Fahrbahn erhöht. Mit dem Einsatz von UHFB wird die Nutzungsdauer der festen Fahrbahn gleich derjenigen der gesamten Bahnhofanlage, was die Wirtschaftlichkeit weiter verbessert. Der erste Teil dieses Aufsatzes berichtet über die Planungsarbeiten in früheren Projektphasen und die Bauvorgänge während der Ausführung. Es werden außerdem die Hintergründe erläutert, die zur Anwendung von UHFB geführt haben, und die Ergebnisse der erfolgreichen Anwendung dieses Baustoffs für feste Fahrbahnen der Eisenbahn sowie das weitere Optimierungspotenzial aufgezeigt.
Low vitamin D levels and the long‐term functional outcome of stroke up to 5 years
Authors: Zeng Ya‐Ying , Yuan Cheng‐Xiang , Wu Meng‐Xuan , Cheng Lin , Zhou Sheng‐Nan , Hu Ping‐lang , Fan Kai‐Li , Tang Wen‐Jie , He Jin‐Cai
Published: September 2021

Background and purpose

Previous studies have established that vitamin D was associated with stroke. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between vitamin D and 5‐year outcome of patients with stroke including acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) stroke.

Methods

Serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D levels were prospectively analyzed in patients admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from 2013 to 2015. Modified Rankin scale (mRS) was used to evaluate their 5‐year functional outcome, and univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were applied to evaluate the effects of vitamin D on stroke outcome.

Results

In total, 668 patients diagnosed with stroke were recruited, and 420 completed the 5‐year follow‐up. Ninety‐five patients experienced poor outcome in the 5 years since stroke onset. Vitamin D levels in patients with poor outcome showed significant differences compared to good outcome patients (p < .001). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, after adjusting the potential confounders, the 5‐year functional outcome was significantly associated with vitamin D levels. Stroke patients with vitamin D levels less than 38.4 nmol/L had a higher risk for poor outcome compared with those with vitamin D level over 71.4 nmol/L at 5‐year (odds ratio [OR] = 3.66, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.42–9.45, p = .007), which was consistent with AIS patients (OR = 6.36, 95% CI = 1.89–21.44, p = .003).

Conclusion

Vitamin D level less than 38.4 nmol/L at admission is a potential risk biomarker for poor functional outcome at 5‐year prognosis in AIS patients, which might provide new ideas for the prognostic assessment of stroke.
A preliminary investigation of high retinoic acid exposure during fetal development on behavioral competency and litter characteristics in newborn rats
Authors: Swann‐Thomsen Hillary E. , Mendez‐Gallardo Valerie , Kollmeyer Leah R. , Hunter Kira , Brumley Michele R.
Published: September 2021

Myelomeningocele (MMC) is the most common and severe type of spina bifida in which the developing spine and neural tube fail to close during prenatal development. This typically results in a small portion of the lower spinal cord and meninges protruding from the back of the individual, accompanied by severe motor and sensory deficits. In rats, retinoic acid (RA) exposure in high doses during fetal development has been shown to induce morphologic and clinical symptoms similar to humans with MMC. The aim of the current study was to examine litter characteristics and sensorimotor function in MMC‐affected rat pups. Pregnant rats were gavage‐fed 2 ml olive oil or all‐trans RA (40, 45, 50 mg/kg) on gestational day 11. Pups underwent behavioral testing on postnatal day 2. Litter characteristics and newborn sensorimotor function varied across RA doses. Pups prenatally exposed to 45 and 50 mg/kg RA weighed significantly less than olive oil and 40 mg/kg RA pups. Litters exposed to 45 mg/kg RA suffered significantly higher mortality rates compared to other groups. Additionally, bladder function was significantly impaired in pups exposed to 40 mg/kg RA. Sensorimotor function findings demonstrated that for most behavioral assessments there was not a significant difference between control and RA‐exposed subjects. However, pups treated with 40 mg/kg RA showed increased facial wiping, suggesting a hyper‐responsiveness to sensory stimuli. Overall, the findings of the current study provide evidence for a model to examine litter characteristics and behavioral effects as well as morphology.
Causes of mortality in patients after first‐ever stroke: A retrospective population‐based study
Authors: Mosarrezaii Arash , Amiri‐Nikpour Mohammad Reza , Dindarian Sina , Rahimzadeh Samerand , Mohammadi Sedra , Mohammadi Hozan
Published: September 2021

Background

Stroke is the third most common cause of death in developed countries and it is the most common cause of disability in the adult population of Iran. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of age, sex, and other predisposing risk factors on mortality after stroke.

Methods

We studied 1572 patients with first‐ever stroke during a 7‐year period from January 2008 to December 2014. Patients’ medical records including demographic information, past medical history, physical examination, and laboratory testing were reviewed. We analyzed the correlation of qualitative and quantitative variables with sex and mortality.

Results

Of all patients, 252 (16%) died during the hospital stay and of the remaining 1320 patients, 453 (34.3%) died during the follow‐up period. There was no significant correlation between mortality and sex (p = .508). Descriptively, the number of women was higher in all age groups except in the age group 55–64 years. No significant correlation was observed between sex and age group (p = .748). We also observed a significant association between age group and mortality (p < .001). Hypertension is the most prevalent disease in both men and women. Higher levels of creatinine, urea, fasting blood sugar, neutrophils, cholesterol, and LDL significantly increase and higher levels of lymphocytes, platelets, RBCs, hemoglobin, and triglyceride significantly decrease the mortality.

Conclusion

There are no sex differences in mortality after first‐ever stroke. Elderly patients need more support and attention due to greater stroke mortality. Complete blood count, lipid profile and blood levels of urea, creatinine, and fasting blood sugar may be useful in predicting mortality after first‐ever stroke.
Web‐based vestibular rehabilitation in persistent postural‐perceptual dizziness
Authors: Eldøen Guttorm , Kvalheim Stine E. , Thesen Terje , Mygland Åse , Ljøstad Unn , Bakke Siri , Holo Marit Horsgaard , Løge Ingard , Jonsbu Egil
Published: September 2021

Objectives

The aims of the study were to investigate the feasibility and preliminary outcome of a Norwegian web‐based self‐help application for vestibular rehabilitation (VR) among patients with high symptom burden of chronic dizziness fulfilling the criteria for persistent postural‐perceptual dizziness (PPPD).

Materials and methods

The web application consists of six weekly online sessions, with written information and video presentations. It is self‐instructive and freely available on NHI.no (https://nhi.no/for‐helsepersonell/vestibular‐rehabilitering/). Ten consecutive patients referred to a neurologic outpatient clinic for chronic dizziness were included. They signed informed consent forms and were examined at inclusion and after three months. State of health and symptom burden were recorded using Vertigo symptom score (VSS), Niigata symptom score (NPQ), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ‐9) and health‐related quality of life score (EQ5D‐5L). Experiences with the program were measured using a semi‐structured interview at the end of the study.

Results

Nine out of ten patients completed the program. The findings suggest that the web application was easy to use, instructive and educatable. Challenges were the load of exercises, motivation to continue training during relapses and performing the body rolling on the floor. Participants had high symptom burden (VSS mean 32.9) and long duration of symptoms in years (mean 11.5). The participants improved on average 6.9 points on the VSS score.

Conclusions

This web application for chronic dizziness appears to be feasible and may reduce symptoms in patients who have struggled with serious and long‐lasting dizziness.
Application of a simple unstructured kinetic and cost of goods models to support T‐cell therapy manufacture
Authors: Shariatzadeh Maryam , Lopes Adriana G. , Glen Katie E. , Sinclair Andrew , Thomas Rob J.
Published: August 2021

Manufacturing of cell therapy products requires sufficient understanding of the cell culture variables and associated mechanisms for adequate control and risk analysis. The aim of this study was to apply an unstructured ordinary differential equation‐based model for prediction of T‐cell bioprocess outcomes as a function of process input parameters. A series of models were developed to represent the growth of T‐cells as a function of time, culture volumes, cell densities, and glucose concentration using data from the Ambr®15 stirred bioreactor system. The models were sufficiently representative of the process to predict the glucose and volume provision required to maintain cell growth rate and quantitatively defined the relationship between glucose concentration, cell growth rate, and glucose utilization rate. The models demonstrated that although glucose is a limiting factor in batch supplied medium, a delivery rate of glucose at significantly less than the maximal specific consumption rate (0.05 mg 1 × 106 cell h−1) will adequately sustain cell growth due to a lower glucose Monod constant determining glucose consumption rate relative to the glucose Monod constant determining cell growth rate. The resultant volume and exchange requirements were used as inputs to an operational BioSolve cost model to suggest a cost‐effective T‐cell manufacturing process with minimum cost of goods per million cells produced and optimal volumetric productivity in a manufacturing settings. These findings highlight the potential of a simple unstructured model of T‐cell growth in a stirred tank system to provide a framework for control and optimization of bioprocesses for manufacture.
Pharmacokinetics of Flunarizine Hydrochloride After Single Oral Doses in Healthy Subjects: Bioequivalence Study and Food Effects
Authors: Xu Yan‐Ying , Yi Zhi‐Heng , Li Xiao‐Min , Li Dai , Pan Lin , Dai Yi‐Xin , Zhong Xue‐Feng , Yan Juan , Xu Ping‐Sheng , Xu Su‐Mei
Published: September 2021

We designed a study to compare the newly developed 5‐mg flunarizine hydrochloride capsules (test) to that of its marketed counterpart (5‐mg; reference) among healthy adult Chinese volunteers. We performed an open‐label, single‐center study that consisted of 2 randomized, crossover trials, including a fasting trial and a fed trial. In each part of the study, the subjects were randomly assigned to either receive the test or reference products (5‐mg flunarizine) in a 1:1 ratio. Subjects then received the alternative products, following a 14‐day washout period. Concentrations of plasma flunarizine were analyzed using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Pharmacokinetic parameters (noncompartmental model) were evaluated using the WinNonlin software. The analysis of variance and Food and Drug Administration bioequivalence statistical criterion of 90% confidence interval for 80% to 125% range (set at P ≤ .05) of geometric means ratios of test: reference product for peak plasma concentration, area under the plasma concentration–time curve (AUC) from time 0 to time t, and AUC from time 0 to infinity were determined. Tolerability was evaluated during the entire study period. Overall, 23 volunteers completed the fasting study, while 40 volunteers completed the fed study. The test formulation was found to be bioequivalent to the marketed formulation, as the 90% confidence interval for the ratio of geometric means of peak plasma concentration (fasting: 87.61%‐101.67%; fed: 87.38%‐104.06%), AUC from time 0 to time t (fasting: 89.44%‐99.92%; fed: 92.65%‐98.28%), and AUC from time 0 to infinity (fasting: 95.02%‐104.33%; fed: 90.41%‐96.96%) were within equivalence limits (80–125%) under both the fasting and fed conditions. When flunarizine was given alongside high‐fat meals, time to maximum concentration was delayed ≈3.5 hours compared to fasting conditions. Meantime, high‐fat meals increased its exposure by nearly 50%. Furthermore, there were no serious adverse events found among the subjects. This study confirmed that test and reference flunarizine hydrochloride capsules were bioequivalent under fasting and postprandial conditions.
Energy‐aware autoscaling for scientific workflow in cloud environment
Authors: Kumari Monika , Sahoo Gadadhar , Kumar Senapati Kishore , Kumar Gaurav
Published: September 2021

The devices used for information and communication purpose consume an increasing amount of energy. As a result, the datacenters consume a lot of energy. Due to the expanding use of cloud services, there is considerable interest in reducing the energy consumption of datacenters. Effective resource utilization techniques and reduction in energy consumption are two crucial metrics in today's cloud computing environment. Many issues come along with contradicting objectives, viz., minimizing energy consumption raising the expenses of service supply. Autoscaling features of the cloud can bundle these issues. The major hurdle for effective resource scalability is the lack of proper management of energy supply to devices of servers in the datacenter. The main objective of the article is to supply energy to devices as per the allocated job‐size on the interaction of complex energy, to increase the energy utilization of servers. Also, using renewable energy (RE) to supplement the operational energy of the cloud datacenter. In this direction, the article presents a predator‐prey‐based mathematical model for energy scaling that leverages the accessibility of RE source to decrease the high energy demands of the datacenter. It is formalized using ecological concepts of metabolism and allometric scaling. An allometric energy scaling (AES) algorithm is presented. The performance and evaluation of the proposed algorithm are implemented with the Cloudsim 4.0 simulator. The results are compared with the HEFT algorithm, and AES algorithm gives slightly better results in the case of optimum energy consumption and processing cost compared with the HEFT algorithm.
Super‐process interoperability optimization architecture in healthcare ultra‐large‐scale systems: A graph‐based multi‐objective approach
Authors: Shirazi Babak
Published: September 2021

The healthcare industry is more challenging and the super‐process interoperability should be planned in order to architecture an informational technology structure of the required data for progression of care. Large‐scale enterprises could be provided cross‐organization super‐processes operations. Therefore, each enterprise's business process management system (BPMS) may be executed cross‐organizational BPM as a kind of the process model. This study proposed a Super‐process Interoperable Optimized Architecture based on BPMS as a paradigm to satisfy the consistency of cross‐organization operations in healthcare industry. For developing the healthcare ultra‐large‐scale process management system (H‐ULS‐PMS), the paper provided interoperability optimization with intelligent recommender system in estimation component of BPMS that has been altered to H‐ULS‐PMS. This system could be recommended the appropriate concept of crossed healthcare process according to the hospitals' requirements. A graph‐based multi‐objective optimization method has been applied to control distributed resources across the hospitals. The community cloud is used as proposed architecture infrastructure for largely scaled interoperability. A practical case in hospital as a research project of a hospital in Dusseldorf‐Wersten of Germany has been studied to show the better interoperability and resource management of the proposed super‐process interoperability architecture.
First‐in‐Human Study of Bamlanivimab in a Randomized Trial of Hospitalized Patients With COVID‐19
Authors: Chen Peter , Datta Gourab , Grace Li Ying , Chien Jenny , Price Karen , Chigutsa Emmanuel , Brown‐Augsburger Patricia , Poorbaugh Josh , Fill Jeffrey , Benschop Robert J. , Rouphael Nadine , Kay Ariel , Mulligan Mark J. , Saxena Amit , Fischer William A. , Dougan Michael , Klekotka Paul , Nirula Ajay , Benson Charles
Published: August 2021

Therapeutics for patients hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) are urgently needed during the pandemic. Bamlanivimab is a potent neutralizing monoclonal antibody that blocks severe acute respiratory syndrome‐coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) attachment and entry into human cells, which could potentially lead to therapeutic benefit. J2W‐MC‐PYAA was a randomized, double‐blind, sponsor unblinded, placebo‐controlled, single ascending dose first‐in‐human trial (NCT04411628) in hospitalized patients with COVID‐19. A total of 24 patients received either placebo or a single dose of bamlanivimab (700 mg, 2,800 mg, or 7,000 mg). The primary objective was assessment of safety and tolerability, including adverse events and serious adverse events, with secondary objectives of pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic analyses. Treatment‐emergent adverse event (TEAE) rates were identical in the placebo and pooled bamlanivimab groups (66.7%). There were no apparent dose‐related increases in the number or severity of TEAEs. There were no serious adverse events or deaths during the study, and no discontinuations due to adverse events. PKs of bamlanivimab is linear and exposure increased proportionally with dose following single i.v. administration. The half‐life was ~ 17 days. These results demonstrate the favorable safety profile of bamlanivimab, and provided the initial critical evaluation of safety, tolerability, and PKs in support of the development of bamlanivimab in several ongoing clinical trials.
Mechanochromic Luminescence and Solid‐State Circularly Polarized Luminescence of a Chiral Diamine‐Linked Bispyrene
Authors: Ito Suguru , Sekine Ryohei , Munakata Masayasu , Asami Masatoshi , Tachikawa Takashi , Kaji Daiki , Mishima Kohei , Imai Yoshitane
Published: September 2021

The front cover artwork is provided by Suguru Ito, Yoshitane Imai, and co‐workers at Yokohama National University, Kobe University, and Kindai University (Japan). The image shows circularly polarized luminescence of monomer and excimer emission in response to two mechanical stimuli. Read the full text of the Article at 10.1002/cptc.202100087.
Endoscopic diagnosis of Whipple disease in a patient without gastrointestinal symptoms: A case report
Authors: Henmi Yujiro , Hirata Yuki , Koubayashi Eiko , Hara Azusa , Naka Yutaka , Kakimoto Kazuki , Nouda Sadaharu , Kawakami Ken , Takeuchi Toshihisa , Higuchi Kazuhide
Published: September 2021

Whipple's disease is a systemic chronic bacterial infection caused by Tropheryma whipplei, a gram‐positive bacillus. T. whipplei infection in the small intestine often causes malabsorption and is often accompanied by gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea and abdominal pain. In this report, we describe our experience with a case of Whipple's disease in which the affected patient did not have the typical gastrointestinal symptoms. The patient was an 80‐year‐old male who presented with complaints of weight loss and lower leg edema due to malabsorption and shortness of breath during exertion. A blood test revealed a decreased albumin level and an elevated C‐reactive protein level. Endoscopic images revealed diffuse white villi, the presence of which extended from the duodenum to the upper jejunum. We made a diagnosis of Whipple's disease based on pathological findings associated with the duodenum, electron microscopic findings, and findings of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests (performed using mucosal tissue). Clinical symptoms and endoscopic findings improved with antibiotics. Real‐time PCR tests were performed for a quantitative evaluation of the effect of treatment. Endoscopy is useful for diagnosing Whipple's disease when there is an absence of gastrointestinal symptoms, and hypoalbuminemia of unknown etiology is observed.
Land‐use change alters associations between personality and microhabitat selection
Authors: Brehm Allison M. , Mortelliti Alessio
Published: August 2021

Ecologists commonly assess ecological patterns at the population level, focusing on the average response of all individuals within a population, but to predict how populations will respond to land‐use change we must understand how changes to habitat differentially affect individuals within a population. For example, forest management is a widespread type of land‐use that impacts wildlife through the loss of key habitat features, but individuals within a population may vary in their responses to this loss due to differences in habitat selection among individuals. Specifically, intraspecific variation in habitat selection has been linked to animalpersonalities(i.e., consistent behavioral differences among conspecifics), but previous research has not examined whether the relationship between personality and habitat selection is influenced by land‐use change. To address this knowledge gap, we tested the hypothesis that land‐use change alters the association between personality and microhabitat selection in small mammals. Specifically, we investigated two main questions: (1) To what extent are personality type and microhabitat selection correlated among conspecifics? (2) Does land‐use change alter individual patterns of microhabitat selection? To answer these questions, we conducted a large‐scale field experiment over 4 years, contrasting unmanaged forest (control) with managed forest (two silvicultural treatments) in Maine, USA. We examined the relationships between habitat selection and personality traits in deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) and southern red‐backed voles (Myodes gapperi). We found that personality traits were correlated with microhabitat selection at multiple spatial scales. Furthermore, land‐use change altered these patterns of selection; resulting in either the loss of personality‐associated selection or in novel patterns of selection in managed forests. These findings suggest that promoting structural complexity at multiple spatial scales, such as by interspersing stands of mature forest with managed stands, may maintain a variety of intraspecific habitat selection patterns and the associated ecological outcomes.
Development of Nusselt correlation for heat transfer studies in vertical transport duct using limestone and chalcopyrite for waste heat recovery
Authors: Popuri Ashok Kumar , Kaki Pramod , Nalajala Venkata Swamy , Tondepu Subbaiah
Published: August 2021

Process industries deal with high energy inputs and often generate high temperature exit gases, which can potentially be considered as secondary energy sources. If such waste heat is recovered, considerable savings in the net energy demand is possible. This report, based on this objective, details the outcome of an experimental study conducted in a vertical transport duct (riser) where solid particles, through a co‐current contact with hot gas, recover the energy content of the gas. Data relevant to heat transfer patterns are collected as not much information is available in the literature on these aspects. Empirical correlation for heat transfer coefficient (Nusselt Number) is proposed as . Fabricated experimental setup is a prototype of suspension preheater (riser – cyclone combination) used in a modern day cement industry but the correlation can be extended to diverse other industries, where waste heat recovery is possible.
Estimating an exchange‐rate between care‐related and health‐related quality of life outcomes for economic evaluation: An application of the wellbeing valuation method
Authors: Dhanji Nishit , Brouwer Werner , Donaldson Cam , Wittenberg Eve , Al‐Janabi Hareth
Published: August 2021

Quality of life outcomes for family carers and patients may be measured in different ways within the same economic evaluation. We used the wellbeing valuation method to calculate “exchange rates” between care‐related outcomes (the Carer Experience Scale and CarerQoL‐7D) and health‐related (the EQ‐5D‐5L) outcomes. Data on quality of life outcomes were collected through a postal quality of life survey in the UK. A random effects model was used to estimate carers' wellbeing as a function of their EQ‐5D‐5L, Carer Experience Scale (or CarerQoL‐7D) and a set of control variables. When life satisfaction was used as the measure of wellbeing, a one‐point gain in the Carer Experience Scale (0–100 scale) was equivalent (in wellbeing terms) to a 0.014 gain in EQ‐5D‐5L value; and a one point gain in the CarerQoL‐7D (0–100 scale) was equivalent to a 0.033 gain in EQ‐5D‐5L. The exchange rate values were reduced when capability was used as the measure of wellbeing. The exchange rates estimated in this study offer a means to place carer and patient outcomes, measured via different quality of life instruments, on a common scale, although there are important issues to consider in operationalising the technique.
Outcomes of pregnancy in autoimmune hepatitis: A population‐based study
Authors: Wang Connie W. , Grab Joshua , Tana Michele M. , Irani Roxanna A. , Sarkar Monika
Published: August 2021

Background and Aims

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) disproportionately affects young women, which may have implications in pregnancy. However, data on pregnancy outcomes in women with AIH are limited.

Approach and Results

Using weighted discharge data from the United States National Inpatient Sample from 2012 to 2016, we evaluated pregnancies after 20 weeks gestation and compared outcomes in AIH to other chronic liver diseases (CLD) or no CLD in pregnancy. The association of AIH with maternal and perinatal outcomes was assessed by logistic regression. Among 18,595,345 pregnancies, 935 (<0.001%) had AIH (60 with cirrhosis) and 120,100 (0.006%) had other CLD (845 with cirrhosis). Temporal trends in pregnancies with AIH remained stable from 2008 to 2016 with 1.4–6.8/100,000 pregnancies per year (p = 0.25). On adjusted analysis, the odds of gestational diabetes (GDM) and hypertensive complications (pre‐eclampsia, eclampsia, or hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets) were significantly higher in AIH compared to other CLD (GDM: OR 2.2, 95% CI: 1.5–3.9, p < 0.001; hypertensive complications: OR: 1.8, 95% CI: 1.0–3.2, p = 0.05) and also compared to no CLD in pregnancy (GDM: OR: 2.4, 95% CI: 1.6–3.6, p < 0.001; hypertensive complications: OR: 2.4, 95% CI: 1.3–4.1, p = 0.003). AIH was also associated with preterm births when compared with women without CLD (OR: 2.0, 95% CI: 1.2–3.5, p = 0.01). AIH was not associated with postpartum hemorrhage, maternal, or perinatal death.

Conclusions

Rates of pregnancy in women with AIH have remained stable in recent years, although AIH is associated with notable maternal and perinatal risks, such as GDM, hypertensive complications, and preterm birth. Whether these risks are influenced by steroid use and/or AIH disease activity warrants evaluation. These data support a low risk of postpartum hemorrhage and favorable survival of mothers and infants.
Regulator of G‐protein signaling 14 protects the liver from ischemia–reperfusion injury by suppressing TGF‐β‐activated kinase 1 activation
Authors: Zhang Jia‐Kai , Ding Ming‐Jie , Liu Hui , Shi Ji‐Hua , Wang Zhi‐Hui , Wen Pei‐Hao , Zhang Yi , Yan Bing , Guo Dan‐Feng , Zhang Xiao‐Dan , Tao Ruo‐Lin , Yan Zhi‐Ping , Zhang Yan , Liu Zhen , Guo Wen‐Zhi , Zhang Shui‐Jun
Published: August 2021

Background and Aims

Hepatic ischemia–reperfusion injury (IRI) is a common complication of hepatectomy and liver transplantation. However, the mechanisms underlying hepatic IRI have not been fully elucidated. Regulator of G‐protein signaling 14 (RGS14) is a multifunctional scaffolding protein that integrates the G‐protein and mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways. However, the role of RGS14 in hepatic IRI remains unclear.

Approach and Results

We found that RGS14 expression increased in mice subjected to hepatic ischemia–reperfusion (IR) surgery and during hypoxia reoxygenation in hepatocytes. We constructed global RGS14 knockout (RGS14‐KO) and hepatocyte‐specific RGS14 transgenic (RGS14‐TG) mice to establish 70% hepatic IRI models. Histological hematoxylin and eosin staining, levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, expression of inflammatory factors, and apoptosis were used to assess liver damage and function in these models. We found that RGS14 deficiency significantly aggravated IR‐induced liver injury and activated hepatic inflammatory responses and apoptosis in vivo and in vitro. Conversely, RGS14 overexpression exerted the opposite effect of the RGS14‐deficient models. Phosphorylation of TGF‐β‐activated kinase 1 (TAK1) and its downstream effectors c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 increased in the liver tissues of RGS14‐KO mice but was repressed in those of RGS14‐TG mice. Furthermore, inhibition of TAK1 phosphorylation rescued the effect of RGS14 deficiency on JNK and p38 activation, thus blocking the inflammatory responses and apoptosis.

Conclusions

RGS14 plays a protective role in hepatic IR by inhibiting activation of the TAK1–JNK/p38 signaling pathway. This may be a potential therapeutic strategy for reducing incidences of hepatic IRI in the future.
HIV/AIDS policy‐making in Iran: A stakeholder analysis
Authors: Khodayari‐Zarnaq Rahim , Ravaghi Hamid , Mosaddegh‐rad Ali Mohammad , Jalilian Habib , Bazyar Mohammad
Published: August 2021

Introduction

The present study aims to identify and analyze HIV/AIDS stakeholders in Iran.

Methods

This qualitative stakeholder analysis was conducted in 2018 nationwide, both retrospectively and prospectively. Purposive sampling was applied and followed by snowball sampling until data saturation. Data were analyzed using framework analysis. Also, MAXQDA (Version 11) and Policy Maker software (version 4) was applied.

Findings

A total of 44 stakeholders were identified and categorized into 23 active and 21 inactive stakeholders. The Ministry of Education and Iran Broadcasting have moderate participation in this regard. Supreme Council of Health and NGOs have low participation. The Ministry of Health (MoH), State Welfare Organization, Blood Transfusion Organization, and the State Prisons are interested in HIV/AIDS policymaking. The MoH is the main body responsible for the stewardship of HIV/AIDS in Iran but does not have enough authority to handle the issue.

Conclusion

Considering multidimensional nature of HIV/AIDS, there are many stakeholders regarding HIV/AIDS control. The process of HIV/AIDS ‐policy making is fragmented in Iran. Despite multiple active and potential stakeholders in this field, there is no integrated system to involve all stakeholders in the process of HIV/AIDS policy‐making. Therefore, given the importance of the issue, an upstream entity is needed to coordinate and mobilize all stakeholders associated with managing and controlling HIV/AIDS.
Impacts of El Niño–southern oscillation on global runoff: Characteristic signatures and potential mechanisms
Authors: You Yuanyuan , Liu Jianyu , Zhang Yongqiang , Beck Hylke E. , Gu Xihui , Kong Dongdong
Published: September 2021

Runoff signatures, including low flow, high flow, mean flow and flow variability, have important implications on the environment and society, predominantly through drought, flooding and water resources. Yet, the response of runoff signatures has not been previously investigated at the global scale, and the influencing mechanisms are largely unclear. Hence, this study makes a global assessment of runoff signature responses to the El Niño and La Niña phases using daily streamflow observations from 8217 gauging stations during 1960–2015. Based on the Granger causality test, we found that ~15% of the hydrological stations of multiple runoff signatures show a significant causal relationship with El Niño–southern oscillation (ENSO). The quantiles of all runoff signatures were larger during the El Niño phase than during the La Niña phase, implying that the entire flow distribution tends to shift upward during El Niño and downward during La Niña. In addition, El Niño has different effects on low and high flows: it tends to increase the low and mean flow signatures but reduces the high flow and flow variability signatures. In contrast, La Niña generally reduces all runoff signatures. We highlight that the impacts of ENSO on streamflow signatures are manifested by its effects on precipitation (P), potential evaporation (PET) and leaf area index (LAI) through ENSO‐induced atmospheric circulation changes. Overall, our study provides a comprehensive picture of runoff signature responses to ENSO, with valuable insights for water resources management and flood and drought disaster mitigation.
A better start to life: Risk factors for, and prevention of, preterm birth in Australian First Nations women – A narrative review
Authors: Brown Kiarna , Langston‐Cox Annie , Unger Holger W.
Published: August 2021

The unacceptable discrepancies in health outcomes between First Nations and non‐Indigenous Australians begin at birth. Preterm birth (birth before 37 completed weeks of gestation) is a major contributor to adverse short‐ and long‐term health outcomes and mortality. Australian First Nations infants are more commonly born too early. No tangible reductions in preterm births have been made in First Nations communities. Factors contributing to high preterm birth rates in Australian First Nations infants are reviewed and interventions to reduce preterm birth in Australian First Nations women are discussed. More must be done to ensure Australian First Nations infants get a better start to life. This can only be achieved with ongoing and improved research in partnership with Australian First Nations peoples.
Endogenous dipeptide‐carnosine supplementation ameliorates hypobaric hypoxia‐induced skeletal muscle loss via attenuating endoplasmic reticulum stress response and maintaining proteostasis
Authors: Agrawal Akanksha , Rathor Richa , Kumar Ravi , Singh Som Nath , Kumar Bhuvnesh , Suryakumar Geetha
Published: August 2021

High altitude is an environmental stress that is accompanied with numerous adverse biological responses, including skeletal muscle weakness and muscle protein loss. Skeletal muscle wasting is an important clinical problem, progressing to critical illness, associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The present study explores the protective efficacy of endogenous dipeptide, carnosine (CAR), supplementation in ameliorating skeletal muscle protein loss under hypobaric hypoxia (HH). Male Sprague–Dawley rats (n = 5) were randomly divided into control group, HH‐exposed group (3 days HH exposure equivalent to 7,620 m), and HH‐exposed rats supplemented with carnosine (3 days; 150 mg/kg b.w, orally) (HH + CAR). HH‐exposed rats supplemented with CAR ameliorated HH‐induced oxidative protein damage, lipid peroxidation, and maintained pro‐inflammatory cytokines levels. HH‐associated muscle protein degradative pathways, including calpain, ubiquitination, endoplasmic reticulum stress, autophagy, and apoptosis were also regulated in carnosine‐supplemented rats. Further, the muscle damage marker, the levels of serum creatine phosphokinase were also reduced in HH + CAR co‐supplemented rats which proved the protective efficacy of CAR against hypobaric hypoxia‐induced muscle protein loss. Altogether, CAR supplementation ameliorated HH‐induced skeletal muscle protein loss via performing multifaceted ways, mainly by maintaining redox homeostasis and proteostasis in skeletal muscle.
A decoy strategy to activate the immune system
Authors: Deshpande Manisha S. , Banerjee Tanushree
Published: August 2021

An approach comprising a novel fusion protein and inactivated virus, as a more efficacious vaccine against invading viruses is presented, using SARS‐CoV‐2 as a most prominent example. The fusion protein consists of the Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) conjugated to the N‐terminal helix (NTH) of Angiotensin‐Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2), which is the receptor for SARS‐CoV‐2. For vaccination, this fusion protein is to be administered together with the whole killed virus. The NTH would bind to the Receptor Binding Domain (RBD) of the Spike protein of the killed virus. Due to HBsAg acting as a decoy, immune responses would be mounted. Neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) pre‐existing in people already vaccinated with the recombinant Hepatitis B vaccine, fresh production of NAbs, and NAbs produced by memory B cells would bind to the HBsAg. This would lead to “presentation” of the killed virus to elements of the immune system at close range. Also, there would be enhanced opsonization and effective antigen presentation. This two‐component vaccine could be a platform strategy, wherein HBsAg could be linked to the part of the cellular receptor that any new intractable virus binds to, and is administered together with whole inactivated virus. Now, the same fusion protein, administered by itself to persons with infection, would have therapeutic action, yet by harnessing elements of the immune system. NAbs would bind to the fusion protein as above, the NTH of which would bind to the RBDs of the infecting virus, which, in effect would be neutralized.
Practical implications of methanotrophic denitrification as post‐treatment unit of anaerobic effluents in tropical areas
Authors: Costa Rachel B , Okada Dagoberto Y , Foresti Eugenio
Published: August 2021

BACKGROUND

The use of methane as electron donor for denitrification addresses nitrogen removal in anaerobic effluents and can help to abate greenhouse gas emissions from wastewater treatment plants. However, applicable rates of methanotrophic denitrification were only reached under temperature controlled conditions, and in membrane bioreactors, which are not widely available in low‐income countries. In this study, polyurethane foam was used as support media in an up‐flow fixed structured bed reactor (Up‐FSBR). Methane was provided as the sole electron donor and carbon source to the Up‐FSBR, fed with synthetic medium mimicking nitrified sewage pre‐treated anaerobically and operated without temperature control or previous medium sterilization.

RESULTS

The denitrification rate was 16.7 ± 6.9 mg N·day−1 and the average efficiency was 42.7 ± 14.6%. Data dispersion is linked to the operation conditions, such as temperature variation that ranged up to 18 °C in a 24 h period. The temperature variation caused a swallow in the metallic valves used in the methane input device, leading to a high fluctuation in methane availability and bubble size, influencing gas–liquid transfer. 16S rDNA sequencing revealed a complex interplay among aerobic methane oxidizers (10.8% of relative abundance), non‐methanotrophic methylotrophs (7.0% RA), heterotrophic denitrifiers (14.3% RA), and microorganisms affiliated with the archaeal Methanosarcinales (13.2%).

CONCLUSIONS

The Up‐FSBR is a promising alternative for methanotrophic denitrification. The operation challenges are linked with methane input rather than with the reactor configuration. The Up‐FSBR was efficient in selecting a microbial community that is capable of performing methane oxidation and heterotrophic denitrification. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
The extinction burst: Impact of reinforcement time and level of analysis on measured prevalence
Authors: Nist Anthony N. , Shahan Timothy A.
Published: September 2021

Despite widespread belief in the extinction burst as a common occurrence, relatively little empirical work has focused directly on the phenomenon. In order to provide additional data on the topic, we report reanalyses of published extinction‐control groups from our laboratory following training with a variety of schedules and reinforcers. In addition, two prospective experiments were conducted in which rats responded for food on FR 5 or FR 1 schedules prior to a within‐session transition to extinction. The results of these reanalyses and experiments suggest that the obtained prevalence of the extinction burst was considerably greater when response rates in the first minute of the transition to extinction were considered as compared to when session‐wide response rates were considered. In addition, when reinforcement time was included in baseline response‐rate calculations, the obtained prevalence of the extinction burst was higher than when reinforcement time was omitted. These findings highlight the importance of measurement and definitional issues in the obtained prevalence of the extinction burst. Further, a closer alignment of such issues across basic and applied research would be desirable in terms of the development of future theories describing the processes giving rise to the extinction burst.
Stakeholder efforts to mitigate antiretroviral therapy interruption among people living with HIV during the COVID‐19 pandemic in China: a qualitative study
Authors: Sun Yinghui , Zhan Yuewei , Li Hui , Yuan Tanwei , Gao Yanxiao , Liang Bowen , Feng Anping , Li Peiyang , Zheng Weiran , Fitzpatrick Thomas , Wu Dan , Zhai Xinyi , Zou Huachun
Published: September 2021

Introduction

The COVID‐19 pandemic has affected antiretroviral therapy (ART) continuity among people living with HIV (PLHIV) worldwide. We conducted a qualitative study to explore barriers to ART maintenance and solutions to ART interruption when stringent COVID‐19 control measures were implemented in China, from the perspective of PLHIV and relevant key stakeholders.

Methods

Between 11 February and 15 February 2020, we interviewed PLHIV, community‐based organization (CBO) workers, staff from centres for disease control and prevention (CDC) at various levels whose work is relevant to HIV care (CDC staff), HIV doctors and nurses and drug vendors from various regions in China. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted using a messaging and social media app. Challenges and responses relevant to ART continuity during the COVID‐19 pandemic were discussed. Themes were identified by transcript coding and mindmaps.

Results

Sixty‐four stakeholders were recruited, including 16 PLHIV, 17 CBO workers, 15 CDC staff, 14 HIV doctors and nurses and two drug vendors. Many CDC staff, HIV doctors and nurses responsible for ART delivery and HIV care were shifted to COVID‐19 response efforts. Barriers to ART maintenance were (a) travel restrictions, (b) inadequate communication and bureaucratic obstacles, (c) shortage in personnel, (d) privacy concerns, and (e) insufficient ART reserve. CBO helped PLHIV maintain access to ART through five solutions identified from thematic analysis: (a) coordination to refill ART from local CDC clinics or hospitals, (b) delivery of ART by mail, (c) privacy protection measures, (d) mental health counselling, and (e) providing connections to alternative sources of ART. Drug vendors contributed to ART maintenance by selling out‐of‐pocket ART.

Conclusions

Social and institutional disruption from COVID‐19 contributed to increased risk of ART interruption among PLHIV in China. Collaboration among key stakeholders was needed to maintain access to ART, with CBO playing an important role. Other countries facing ART interruption during current or future public health emergencies may learn from the solutions employed in China.