bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pigment production by Scenedesmus dimorphus using different low‐cost and alternative culture media
Authors: Ahmad Nourhane , Mounsef Jihane R , Lteif Roger
Published: October 2021

BACKGROUND

This study investigated the feasibility of producing pigments from Scenedesmus dimorphus using different low‐cost synthetic and alternative media. Thus the influence of nitrogen and phosphorus deficiency, different nitrogen sources and alternative culture media (wheat bran, garlic powder, wheat bran supplemented with garlic powder) on pigment and biomass production was evaluated.

RESULTS

Among the three sources of nitrogen studied (ammonium sulfate, urea and sodium nitrate), urea was the cheapest efficient alternative source of nitrogen for pigment production, especially total chlorophylls (67.38 μg L−1 d−1), by this strain, without strongly affecting biomass yield. Phosphorus deficiency had no negative effect on biomass production, but improved the production of zeaxanthin and chlorophyll b by13.1% and 26.8%, respectively, compared to control. Compared to BG‐11 medium, the alternative garlic powder medium increased the biomass yield of S. dimorphus by 5.2 times, improved the productivity of xanthophylls and contributed to the accumulation of β‐carotene.

Wheat bran medium was found to be efficient as a zero‐cost culture medium for the production of pigments, where S. dimorphus accumulated twice the total pigment concentration of the control, with high β‐carotene productivity (38.58 ± 11.94 μg L−1 d−1). The addition of garlic powder to wheat bran increased the biomass (3.14 g L−1) and pigment productivity (216.86 ± 2.06 μg L−1 d−1) by 28.5 and 1.4 times, respectively, but inhibited zeaxanthin biosynthesis. This alternative medium reduced biomass and pigment production costs by 99.80% and 96.21%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Wheat bran supplemented with garlic powder showed good application potential for the industrial production of biomass and pigments from S. dimorphus in open cultivation systems where garlic powder might be used simultaneously for biomass and pigment accumulation, and for biological contamination control. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
A comparison of video‐based and slide‐based teaching before hands‐on rubber dam application: A quantitative and qualitative study
Authors: Kruse Casper , Schlafer Sebastian , Pedersen Kamilla
Published: October 2021

Purpose/objectives

Instructional videos may demonstrate the execution of complex clinical procedures and the cooperation between members of the dental team better than traditional slide‐based teaching materials. The aim of the present study was to compare the effect of a procedural video on student ratings to a traditional still‐image‐based presentation in a course on rubber dam application.

Methods

In a randomized, double‐blind, parallel arm design, participants (46 dental students) completed a seven‐item, five‐step Likert‐scale questionnaire at baseline (t1), after a video‐based or slide‐based demonstration of rubber dam application (t2) and after hands‐on training (t3). The students’ judgement on the benefits of rubber dam (items 1–3), their motivation to use rubber dam (item 4), their self‐efficacy (items 5–6) and their expected use of the teaching material (item 7) were assessed. Changes in the students’ individual answers were analyzed for each item and comparison between intervention groups made. Moreover, the impact of the teaching format on in‐class discussions was analyzed qualitatively using a thematic approach

Results

Both interventions arose comparable significant improvement in the students’ Likert‐scale ratings from t1 to t2, and again from t2 to t3. No significant differences between intervention groups were found in the students’ ratings or in the qualitative analysis.

Conclusions

Procedural videos have proven to be a valuable learning aid in a variety of teaching formats, but in the context of a live lecture, they may not constitute an improvement over traditional text‐ and still‐image‐based presentations.
Exploring microsatellite instability in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma and its tumor microenvironment
Authors: Mukai Shohei , Kanzaki Hiroaki , Ogasawara Sadahisa , Ishino Takamasa , Ogawa Keita , Nakagawa Miyuki , Fujiwara Kisako , Unozawa Hidemi , Iwanaga Terunao , Sakuma Takafumi , Fujita Naoto , Koroki Keisuke , Kobayashi Kazufumi , Kanogawa Naoya , Kiyono Soichiro , Nakamura Masato , Kondo Takayuki , Saito Tomoko , Nakagawa Ryo , Suzuki Eiichiro , Ooka Yoshihiko , Muroyama Ryosuke , Nakamoto Shingo , Tawada Akinobu , Chiba Tetsuhiro , Arai Makoto , Kato Jun , Shiina Manayu , Ota Masayuki , Ikeda Jun‐ichiro , Takiguchi Yuichi , Ohtsuka Masayuki , Kato Naoya
Published: October 2021

Background and Aim

Immune checkpoint inhibitors and their combination with other agents have recently been available in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Hence, a thorough understanding of the tumor microenvironment based on tumor samples is yet to be achieved. This study aimed to explore the tumor microenvironment in advanced HCC in terms of microsatellite instability‐high (MSI‐H) by using tumor samples from advanced HCC patients eligible for systemic therapy.

Methods

MSI‐H was assessed by polymerase chain reaction, and the expression of mismatch repair proteins, PD‐L1, CD8, VEGF, and HLA‐class1 was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Whole‐exome sequencing was performed for MSI‐H tumor samples.

Results

Of 50 patients, one (2.0%) was confirmed with MSI‐H. In the MSI‐H advanced HCC tumor, a high tumor mutation burden, infiltration of CD8+ lymphocytes, and low expression of VEGF were identified. Although PD‐L1 expression was negative, there was shrinkage of tumor following pembrolizumab. However, another tumor nonresponsive to pembrolizumab was present simultaneously. Checking the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, we found a similar case to this patient. The TCGA case had unique gene features of miR‐21 and miR‐155 overexpression and hypermethylation of the MSH2 gene.

Conclusion

We identified a very small number of MSI‐H cases in HCC using one tumor biopsy sample for each patient with advanced HCC. In addition, epigenetic aberrations possibly lead to MSI‐H in HCC patients. Since different HCC clones might coexist in the liver, sampling from multiple tumors should be considered to clarify the true proportion of MSI‐H in HCC and to analyze tumor microenvironments.
Assessment of Comamonas testosteroni strain PT9 as a rapid phthalic acid degrader for industrial wastewaters
Authors: Vural Caner , Diallo Mamadou M. , Ozdemir Guven
Published: October 2021

In this study, characterization of industry‐borne Comamonas testosteroni strain PT9 isolate was performed by determining degradation ability on phthalic acid (PA). High‐performance liquid chromatography analyses showed that strain PT9 completely degraded 102.94 mg/L of PA within 6 h. Viability polymerase chain reaction (vPCR) was performed with propidium monoazide treatment. vPCR showed that the PA has positively stimulated the cell growth during degradation. To consider the fate of PA, the proposed catalytic genes (ophA2, iphA2, tphA2, tphA3, pmdA, and pmdB) for the degradation pathways of PA isomers for C. testosteroni were screened in strain PT9. All genes except iphA2 were detected in strain PT9, and expression levels of related genes were analyzed by Real‐Time PCR (qPCR).
Hydrophilic‐interaction‐based magnetically assisted matrix solid‐phase dispersion extraction of carbadox and olaquindox in feeds
Authors: Liao Xibin , Chen Yihui , Lei Meikang , Hou Chunyan , Li Xie , Wang Tingting
Published: October 2021

BACKGROUND

Carbadox and olaquindox have been banned from feeds since 1998 by the EU because of their mutagenic, photoallergic, and carcinogenic effects. Unfortunately, owing to their outstanding effect, they are frequently abused or misused in animal husbandry. There is an urgent need to develop a sensitive and reliable method for monitoring these drugs in animal feeds.

RESULTS

This work reported a new method of hydrophilic‐interaction‐based magnetically assisted matrix solid‐phase dispersion (MMSPD) extraction coupled with reversed‐phase liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry for simultaneous determination of carbadox and olaquindox in animal feeds. 3‐Trimethoxysilylpropyl methacrylate (γ‐MAPS)‐modified attapulgite (ATP) was crosslinked with γ‐MAPS‐modified iron(II,III) oxide (Fe3O4), 1‐vinyl‐3‐(butyl‐4‐sulfonate) imidazolium (VBSIm), acrylamide (AM), and N,N′‐methylene‐bis(acrylamide) (MBA) to synthesize ATP@Fe3O4@poly(VBSIm‐AM‐MBA) particles. The resultant particles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectrometer, transmission electron microscopy, vibrating sample magnetometer, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Crosslinking of ATP into the magnetic particles has significantly increased the adsorption capacity of the particles. Under optimum conditions, the limits of detection (S/N = 3) were 0.3 μg kg−1 and 0.9 μg kg−1 for carbadox and olaquindox respectively. The intra‐day and inter‐day recoveries of the spiked targets in feed samples were in the range 83.5–98.3% with relative standard deviations of 1.0–8.3%.

CONCLUSION

With a simplified procedure and a low amount of sample, the proposed hydrophilic‐interaction‐based MMSPD method is not only useful for the determination of carbadox and olaquindox in feeds but also holds great promise for the analysis of other polar targets in solid or semisolid matrices. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Targeted exome analysis of Russian patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Filatova Elena V. , Krylova Natalia S. , Vlasov Ivan N. , Maslova Maria S. , Poteshkina Natalia G. , Slominsky Petr A. , Shadrina Maria I.
Published: October 2021

Background

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), described as the presence of hypertrophy of left ventricular, is the most prevalent heritable cardiovascular disease with predominantly an autosomal dominant type of inheritance. However, pathogenic alleles are not identified in at least 25% of patients with HCM, and the spectrum of pathogenic variants that contribute to the development of HCM in Russia has not been fully described. Therefore, the goal of our study was to identify genetic variants associated with the etiopathogenesis of HCM in Russian patients.

Methods

The study cohort included 98 unrelated adult patients with HCM. We performed targeted exome sequencing, an analysis using various algorithms for prediction of the impact of variants on protein structure and the prediction of pathogenicity using ACMG Guidelines.

Results

The frequency of pathogenic and likely pathogenic variants in all HCM‐related genes was 8% in our patients. We also identified 20 variants of uncertain significance in all HCM‐related genes.

Conclusions

The prevalence of individual pathogenic variants in HCM‐related genes in Russian population appears to be lower than in general European population, which could be explained by ethnic features of Russian population, age characteristics of our sample, or unidentified pathogenic variants in genes previously not linked with HCM.
Record‐setting SAMHSA grants for CMHCs address BH disparities
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: October 2021

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) last week awarded a record‐setting $825 million in grants to 231 community mental health centers (CMHCs) to more effectively address the needs of individuals who have a serious emotional disturbance (SED) or a serious mental illness (SMI) and persons with substance use co‐occurring disorders (CODs).
TAC reveals Clubhouse vaccine support for people with SMI
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: October 2021

Though safety and side effects of the COVID‐19 vaccine represent the top two reasons why people with serious mental illness (SMI) may not get the vaccine, a new international survey released by the Treatment Advocacy Center (TAC) last month finds that vaccine hesitancy is not the only driver for this population to not receive it. Other factors come into play as well, such as an overall lack of proper resources and support.
APA adds prolonged grief disorder to new text edition of DSM
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: October 2021

Taking into consideration a number of ongoing disasters resulting in death and suffering, such as COVID‐19, the winding down of Afghanistan, gun violence and hurricanes, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) says it has added prolonged grief disorder, characterized by incapacitating feelings of grief, to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).
Comparison of computer simulations and clinical treatment results of magnetic resonance‐guided focused ultrasound surgery (MRgFUS) of uterine fibroids
Authors: Hyvärinen Mikko , Huang Yuexi , David Elizabeth , Hynynen Kullervo
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Magnetic resonance‐guided focused ultrasound surgery (MRgFUS) can be used to noninvasively treat symptomatic uterine fibroids by heating with focused ultrasound sonications while monitoring the temperature with magnetic resonance (MR) thermometry. While prior studies have compared focused ultrasound simulations to clinical results, studies involving uterine fibroids remain scarce. In our study, we perform such a comparison to assess the suitability of simulations for treatment planning.

Methods

Sonications (N = 67) were simulated retrospectively using acoustic and thermal models based on the Rayleigh integral and Pennes bioheat equation followed by MR‐thermometry simulation in seven patients who underwent MRgFUS treatment for uterine fibroids. The spatial accuracy of simulated focus location was assessed by evaluating displacements of the centers of mass of the thermal dose distributions between simulated and treatment MR thermometry slices. Temperature–time curves and sizes of 240 equivalent minutes at 43°C (240EM43) volumes between treatment and simulation were compared.

Results

The simulated focus location showed errors of 2.7 ± 4.1, −0.7 ± 2.0, and 1.3 ± 1.2 mm (mean ± SD) in the anterior–posterior, foot–head, and right–left directions for a fibroid absorption coefficient of 4.9 Np m–1 MHz–1and perfusion parameter of 1.89 kg m–3s–1. Linear regression of 240EM43volumes of 67 sonications of patient treatments and simulations utilizing these parameters yielded a slope of 1.04 and a correlation coefficient of 0.54. The temperature rise ratio of simulation to treatment near the end of sonication was 0.47 ± 0.22, 1.28 ± 0.60, and 1.49 ± 0.71 for 66 sonications simulated utilizing fibroid absorption coefficient of 1.2, 4.9, and 8.6 Np m–1 MHz–1, respectively, and the aforementioned perfusion value. The impact of perfusion on peak temperature rise is minimal between 1.89 and 10 kg m–3s–1, but became more substantial when utilizing a value of 100 kg m–3s–1.

Conclusions

The results of this study suggest that perfusion, while in some cases having a substantial impact on thermal dose volumes, has less impact than ultrasound absorption for predicting peak temperature elevation at least when using perfusion parameter values up to 10 kg m–3s–1for this particular array geometry, frequencies, and tissue target which is good for clinicians to be aware of. The results suggest that simulations show promise in treatment planning, particularly in terms of spatial accuracy. However, in order to use simulations to predict temperature rise due to a sonication, knowledge of the patient‐specific tissue parameters, in particular the absorption coefficient is important. Currently, spatially varying patient‐specific tissue parameter values are not available during treatment, so simulations can only be used for planning purposes to estimate sonication performance on average.
In vivo hyperCEST imaging: Experimental considerations for a reliable contrast
Authors: McHugh Christian T. , Kelley Michele , Bryden Nicholas J. , Branca Rosa T.
Published: October 2021

Purpose

HyperCEST contrast relies on the reduction of the solvent signal after selective saturation of the solute magnetization. The scope of this work is to outline the experimental conditions needed to obtain a reliable hyperCEST contrast in vivo, where the “solvent” signal (ie, the dissolved‐phase signal) may change over time due to the increase in xenon (Xe) accumulation into tissue.

Methods

Hyperpolarized 129Xe was delivered to mice at a constant volume and rate using a mechanical ventilator, which triggered the saturation, excitation, and acquisition of the MR signal during the exhale phase of the breath cycle—either every breath or every 2, 3, or 4 breaths. Serial Z‐spectra and hyperCEST images were acquired before and after a bolus injection of cucurbit[6]uril to assess possible signal fluctuations and instabilities.

Results

The intensity of the dissolved‐phase Xe signal was observed to first increase immediately after the beginning of the hyperpolarized gas inhalation and NMR acquisition, and then decrease before reaching a steady‐state condition. Once a steady‐state dissolved‐phase magnetization was established, a reliable hyperCEST contrast, exceeding 40% signal reduction, was observed.

Conclusion

A reliable hyperCEST contrast can only be obtained after establishing a steady‐state dissolved phase 129Xe magnetization. Under stable physiological conditions, a steady‐state dissolved‐phase Xe magnetization is only achieved after a series of Xe inhalations and RF excitations, and it requires synchronization of the breathing rate with the MR acquisition.
Inflammatory capacity of exosomes released in the early stages of acute pancreatitis predicts the severity of the disease
Authors: Carrascal Montserrat , Areny‐Balagueró Aina , de‐Madaria Enrique , Cárdenas‐Jaén Karina , García‐Rayado Guillermo , Rivera Robin , Martin Mateos Rosa María , Pascual‐Moreno Isabel , Gironella Meritxell , Abian Joaquin , Closa Daniel
Published: October 2021

As acute pancreatitis progresses to the severe form, a life‐threatening systemic inflammation is triggered. Although the mechanisms involved in this process are not yet well understood, it has been proposed that circulating exosomes may be involved in the progression of inflammation from the pancreas to distant organs. Here, the inflammatory capacity and protein profile of plasma exosomes obtained during the first 24 h of hospitalization of patients diagnosed with acute pancreatitis were characterized and compared with the final severity of the disease. We found that the final severity of the disease strongly correlates with the inflammatory capacity of exosomes in the early stages of acute pancreatitis. Exosomes isolated from patients with mild pancreatitis had no effect on macrophages, while exosomes isolated from patients with severe pancreatitis triggered NFκB activation, TNFα and IL1β expression, and free radical generation. To delve deeper into the mechanism involved, we performed a proteomic analysis of the different exosomes that allowed us to identify different groups of proteins whose concentration was also correlated with the clinical classification of pancreatitis. In particular, an increase in the amount of S100A8 and S100A9 carried by exosomes of severe pancreatitis suggests that the mechanism of action of exosomes is mediated by the effect of these proteins on NADPH oxidase. This enzyme is activated by S100A8/S100A9, thus generating free radicals and promoting an inflammatory response. Along these lines, we observed that inhibition of this enzyme abolished all the pro‐inflammatory effects of exosomes from severe pancreatitis. All this suggests that the systemic effects, and therefore the final severity of acute pancreatitis, are determined by the content of circulating exosomes generated in the early hours of the process. © 2021 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Structural and free‐hole volume characterization of high‐density polyethylene‐chitosan composites plasticized with palm oil
Authors: Shelly Meril , Raghavendra Mariswamy , Ravikumar Harijan Basavaraju , Francis Tania
Published: October 2021

A series of high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) – chitosan (CS) composites with varying concentrations of chitosan have been prepared using a peroxide‐initiated melt mixing process with maleic anhydride as compatibilizer. Palm oil has been added as a plasticizer to the optimized HDPE/CS5 composite. The variation in the free hole volume, microstructure, and crystallinity of the prepared composites has been studied using Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and X‐ray diffractometry (XRD) respectively. The interaction between HDPE and chitosan is evidenced from the FTIR spectroscopic studies. The addition of palm oil to optimized HDPE‐CS composite increased the crystallinity upto 41.3%. A shift as well as a decrease in loss modulus was obtained for 5 wt% chitosan added HDPE sample which can be ascribed to the better crosslinking observed in the composite. The increased amorphization of HDPE‐chitosan composites with a higher concentration of chitosan beyond the optimized concentration is observed from the tan delta values. Free‐hole value is reduced by 20 Å3 with the addition of 5 wt% palm oil to HDPE/CS5 composite system. The microstructural analysis shows evidence of efficient interaction of HDPE‐chitosan system that can be used for further applications in medical field and food packaging industry.
Antimicrobial peptides provide wider coverage for targeting drug‐resistant bacterial pathogens
Authors: Amiss Anna S. , Henriques Sónia Troeira , Lawrence Nicole
Published: October 2021

We need new treatment options to control bacterial infections. Bacteria use several strategies to resist drug treatment, including modification of the drug target, and adaptation to a different lifestyle, such as intracellular niches within host cells. Drugs that act on diverse targets are less likely to induce resistance in bacteria, than current antibiotics acting on a single molecular target. Antimicrobial peptides have been explored as a new class of antibiotics because they selectively kill bacteria via a mechanism that involves recognition of the negatively charged microbial surface. Furthermore, antimicrobial peptides with cell‐penetrating properties can cross host cell membranes and target bacteria in the cytosol or sequestered in vesicles. Therefore, bacteria in intracellular niches are less capable of evading treatment and the likelihood of establishing drug resistance is further reduced. This review highlights the potential of antimicrobial peptides as alternative therapeutics to target bacterial pathogens in both extracellular and intracellular environments, and to avoid acquired drug‐resistance.
LIPSS for metal forming tools
Authors: Rathmann Lewin , Radel Tim
Published: October 2021

From ecological and economic points of view, alternatives to conventional lubricants in metal forming are of great interest. The focus is on tools' surface functionalization by laser‐induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS). These structures must be protected due to their loss when in direct tribological contact. So a laser‐ based process chain has been developed using pulsed and continuous laser processes to create dimples and retain the hydrophilic properties of the LIPSS, as contact angles of 14° prove.
Evosys' advanced quasi‐simultaneous welding
Authors: Sauerwein Lea , Ebenhöh Christian , Geiger René
Published: October 2021

Evosys Laser GmbH is developing a new method for laser welding of polymers, so‐called ‘advanced quasi‐simultaneous welding’ (AQW). The patented technique combines two different processing wavelengths with the method of quasi‐simultaneous welding in order to achieve a significant reduction of welding time and enhanced weld seam quality. By the use of differing wavelengths – alternated in a certain time pattern – it is possible to improve and better control the deposition of specific amounts of energy into each item to be joined.
Beam shaping solutions for stable laser welding
Authors: Volpp Joerg , Laskin Alexander
Published: October 2021

The laser beam is a highly flexible tool that is used for many material processing applications. New spatial beam shaping technology enables even further functionality to create up to four focal spots in an axial or lateral direction, which enables the distribution of the energy to be tailored. It was shown that certain beam shapes help to suppress spattering and increase the bridgeable gap size during deep penetration laser welding.
A new dimension for machine vision
Authors: Garbe Christoph , Schindler‐Kotscha Mareike
Published: October 2021

Automation is central to producing high quality products in high‐wage countries with an omnipresent shortage of skilled workers. Automation is becoming increasingly more complex due to the higher flexibility in produced goods. At the same time, this places high demands on integrated image processing and, for this reason, machine vision solutions have so far often fallen short of expectations. The use of 3D light field technology can help to solve demanding tasks quickly, easily and reliably.
“Find good managers”
Authors: Pozo Jose
Published: October 2021

Jose Pozo, EPIC's CTO, talks to Jimena García‐Romeu, CEO of Alcyon Photonics, a provider of photonic building blocks, PDKs and simulation software to aid PIC design and fabrication.
Agreement of parent‐ and child‐reported wheeze and its association with measurable asthma traits
Authors: Mozun Rebeca , Ardura‐Garcia Cristina , Pedersen Eva S. L. , Goutaki Myrofora , Usemann Jakob , Singer Florian , Latzin Philipp , Moeller Alexander , Kuehni Claudia E. ,   the LUIS study group
Published: October 2021

Objectives

In epidemiological studies, childhood asthma is usually assessed with questionnaires directed at parents or children, and these may give different answers. We studied how well parents and children agreed when asked to report symptoms of wheeze and investigated whose answers were closer to measurable traits of asthma.

Methods

LuftiBus in the school is a cross‐sectional survey of respiratory health among Swiss schoolchildren aged 6–17 years. We applied questionnaires to parents and children asking about wheeze and exertional wheeze in the past year. We assessed agreement between parent–child answers with Cohen's kappa (k), and associations of answers from children and parents with fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s over forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC), using quantile regression.

Results

We received questionnaires from 3079 children and their parents. Agreement was poor for reported wheeze (k = 0.37) and exertional wheeze (k = 0.36). Median FeNO varied when wheeze was reported by children (19 ppb, interquartile range [IQR]: 9–44), parents (22 ppb, IQR: 12–46), both (31 ppb, IQR: 16–55), or neither (11 ppb, IQR: 7–19). Median absolute FEV1/FVC was the same when wheeze was reported by children (84%, IQR: 78–89) and by parents (84%, IQR: 78–89), lower when reported by both (82%, IQR: 78–87), and higher when reported by neither (87%, IQR: 82–91). For exertional wheeze findings were similar. Results did not differ by age or sex.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that surveying both parents and children and combining their responses can help us to better identify children with measurable asthma traits.
Perspective: Scientific rigor or ritual? Statistical significance in pest management science
Authors: Alexander Brendan CS , Davis Adam S
Published: October 2021

P values, binary hypothesis tests, and statistical significance are too often overused or used incorrectly in pest management reports. These statistical results are not the point of an analysis, they are just a by‐product that can sometimes be informative. The point of the analysis is always a biological interpretation of the data focusing on whether something new has been learned and then quantifying what was learned in terms of biological effects or supported hypotheses. The term ‘statistical significance’ should be retired if only because of the common misunderstanding that it implies biological relevance; these terms are not equivalent. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Visually guided preprocessing of bioanalytical laboratory data using an interactive R notebook (pguIMP)
Authors: Malkusch Sebastian , Hahnefeld Lisa , Gurke Robert , Lötsch Jörn
Published: October 2021

The evaluation of pharmacological data using machine learning requires high data quality. Therefore, data preprocessing, that is, cleaning analytical laboratory errors, replacing missing values or outliers, and transforming data adequately before actual data analysis, is crucial. Because current tools available for this purpose often require programming skills, preprocessing tools with graphical user interfaces that can be used interactively are needed. In collaboration between data scientists and experts in bioanalytical diagnostics, a graphical software package for data preprocessing calledpguIMPis proposed, which contains a fixed sequence of preprocessing steps to enable reproducible interactive data preprocessing. As an R‐based package, it also allows direct integration into this data science environment without requiring any programming knowledge. The implementation of contemporary data processing methods, including machine‐learning‐based imputation techniques, ensures the generation of corrected and cleaned bioanalytical data sets that preserve data structures such as clusters better than is possible with classical methods. This was evaluated on bioanalytical data sets from lipidomics and drug research using k‐nearest‐neighbors‐based imputation followed by k‐means clustering and density‐based spatial clustering of applications with noise. The R package provides a Shiny‐based web interface designed to be easy to use for non–data analysis experts. It is demonstrated that the spectrum of methods provided is suitable as a standard pipeline for preprocessing bioanalytical data in biomedical research domains. The R packagepguIMPis freely available at the comprehensive R archive network (https://cran.r‐project.org/web/packages/pguIMP/index.html).
Finite‐time fault detection for multiple delayed semi‐Markovian jump random systems
Authors: Sun Shaoxin , Dai Xin , Yang Liu , Zhang Juan , Xie Xiangpeng
Published: October 2021

This work focuses on the problem of finite‐time multiple delay‐dependent filter‐based fault detection (FD) and fault‐tolerant control (FTC) for semi‐Markovian jump random nonlinear systems subject to state and input constraints. There are model uncertainties, multiple time‐varying delays, nonlinear dynamics as well as faults in these systems. This study is the first time to try. In addition, this article both considers stochastic finite‐time boundedness and input–output finite‐time mean square stabilization. A semi‐Markovian jump filter, a semi‐Markovian jump controller and a fault weighting system are developed to achieve FD and FTC. Then, an augmented closed‐loop nonlinear system can be established. Moreover, multiple delay‐dependent sufficient conditions are produced by means of stochastic Lyapunov function in this framework of linear matrix inequalities. Finally, an example is shown to bring out the effectiveness of the method addressed in this study.
SmallSats: a new technological frontier in ecology and conservation?
Authors: Curnick David J. , Davies Alasdair J. , Duncan Clare , Freeman Robin , Jacoby David M. P. , Shelley Hugo T. E. , Rossi Cristian , Wearn Oliver R. , Williamson Michael J. , Pettorelli Nathalie
Published: October 2021

We are in the midst of a revolution in satellite technology, with the rapid development and advancement of small satellites (or SmallSats, i.e., satellites <180 kg). Here, we review the opportunities and challenges that such technology might afford in the field of conservation and ecology. SmallSat constellations may yield higher resolutions than those that are currently available to scientists and practitioners, increasing opportunities to improve environmental‐monitoring and animal‐tracking capabilities. They may cut access costs to end users, by reducing operational costs and bringing increased competition to the existing market. Their greater flexibility and affordability may moreover enable the development of bespoke constellations for specific conservation and ecological applications, and provide greater interoperability with ground‐based sensors, such as tracking devices and camera traps. In addition, SmallSats may serve as cost‐effective research and development platforms for new components and products. Combined, these benefits could significantly improve our ability to monitor threats to the environment as they unfold, while enhancing our understanding of animal ecology and ecosystem dynamics. However, significant hardware and software developments are required before such technology is able to produce, process and handle reliable and cost‐effective data, and the initial research and development costs still represent a major challenge. Further, we argue that much remains to be done to ensure these new data products become accessible, equitable and sustainable.
Two‐phase sample selection strategies for design and analysis in post‐genome‐wide association fine‐mapping studies
Authors: Espin‐Garcia Osvaldo , Craiu Radu V. , Bull Shelley B.
Published: October 2021

Post‐GWAS analysis, in many cases, focuses on fine‐mapping targeted genetic regions discovered at GWAS‐stage; that is, the aim is to pinpoint potential causal variants and susceptibility genes for complex traits and disease outcomes using next‐generation sequencing (NGS) technologies. Large‐scale GWAS cohorts are necessary to identify target regions given the typically modest genetic effect sizes. In this context, two‐phase sampling design and analysis is a cost‐reduction technique that utilizes data collected during phase 1 GWAS to select an informative subsample for phase 2 sequencing. The main goal is to make inference for genetic variants measured via NGS by efficiently combining data from phases 1 and 2. We propose two approaches for selecting a phase 2 design under a budget constraint. The first method identifies sampling fractions that select a phase 2 design yielding an asymptotic variance covariance matrix with certain optimal characteristics, for example, smallest trace, via Lagrange multipliers (LM). The second relies on a genetic algorithm (GA) with a defined fitness function to identify exactly a phase 2 subsample. We perform comprehensive simulation studies to evaluate the empirical properties of the proposed designs for a genetic association study of a quantitative trait. We compare our methods against two ranked designs: residual‐dependent sampling and a recently identified optimal design. Our findings demonstrate that the proposed designs, GA in particular, can render competitive power in combined phase 1 and 2 analysis compared with alternative designs while preserving type 1 error control. These results are especially evident under the more practical scenario where design values need to be defined a priori and are subject to misspecification. We illustrate the proposed methods in a study of triglyceride levels in the North Finland Birth Cohort of 1966. R code to reproduce our results is available atgithub.com/egosv/TwoPhase_postGWAS.
Effect of Electrolyte Concentration on Electrochemical Performance of Bush Like α‐Fe2O3 Nanostructures
Authors: Yasnur Sk , Saha Samik , Ray Apurba , Das Mahimaranjan , Mukherjee Ayan , Das Sachindranath
Published: October 2021

The nano‐sized bush‐like α‐Fe2O3 particles were synthesized using sol‐gel auto combustion route. The structural characterization of obtained α‐Fe2O3 was performed by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) method to confirm its phase and crystallinity. The Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) confirmed the formation of bush‐like nanostructure which was further used for the electrochemical charge storage performance testing. The electrochemical performances of the synthesized electrode material were studied by using Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis in a three electrode configuration. The variation of specific capacitance values with the different molar concentration of electrolyte has been discussed. An enhancement in the specific capacitance has been observed up to 3 M KOH electrolyte solution. The maximum value of specific capacitance is 202.2 F g−1 which is obtained at a scan rate of 2 mV s−1 for 3 M aqueous KOH solution as electrolyte.
Preparation, Structure Determination, and Electrochemical Properties of 4,5‐Dialkylbenzo[1,2‐d:4,5‐d’]bis[1,2,3]triselenoles and Their Singlet and Triplet‐State Dications
Authors: Kimura Takeshi , Nakahodo Tsukasa , Suzuki Eiichi , Nakanishi Yoshiki , Misaki Yohji , Ogawa Satoshi
Published: October 2021

4,8‐Dialkylbenzo[1,2‐d:4,5‐d’]bis[1,2,3]triselenoles [alkyl=Et, Bu, and Oc (C8H17)] were first prepared and treated with concentrated sulfuric acid‐d2 to generate benzobistriselenole dications, which were determined by NMR spectroscopy. The oxidation of dioctylbenzobistriselenole with three equivalents of single‐electron oxidizing reagent (NOSbF6) produced the corresponding dication.2SbF6−, and the salt was isolated into a stable form. The ESR spectra of the dications measured in concentrated sulfuric acid in the range of room temperature and −196 °C were observed as split peaks similar to that of solid state dication.2SbF6−. Magnetic susceptibility of the dication.2SbF6− was determined by a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer, which showed the salt is diamagnetic. The optimized structures and the total energy of the singlet‐ and triplet‐state benzobistriselenole dications were calculated using the density functional theory (DFT) method at the B3LYP6‐311G**(d,p) level. The results revealed that the structures of the singlet‐ and triplet‐state dications calculated have a completely planar forms and the triplet‐state dication is slightly more stable than the singlet‐state one in acetonitrile using a polarizable continuum model (PCM).
N‐Arylation of Imidazoles: An Overview
Authors: Ananthu Sudheesh , Aneeja Thaipparambil , Anilkumar Gopinathan
Published: October 2021

Nitrogen containing heterocyclic compounds have wide range of application in pharmaceutical and biological field. Imidazole is an important heterocyclic motif used as plant growth regulator, therapeutic agent, fungicide, herbicide, etc. N‐Arylated imidazoles are compounds of particular significance owing to its excellent applications. This review summarizes of N‐arylation of imidazoles and covers literature from 2009.
Gallium Ligand Coordinated Group 15 Compounds (LGa−ECp', L=(CHNMe)2CH, E=N − Bi, Cp'=η1‐C5H5): Changeover from Electron‐Sharing to Donor‐Acceptor σ‐Interaction
Authors: Muhasina Puthan Veetil , Parameswaran Pattiyil
Published: October 2021

We have analyzed the electronic structure and bonding situation in monomeric compounds of gallium with group 15 elements (LGa−ECp', L=(CHNMe)2CH, E=N (1), P (2), As (3), Sb (4) and Bi (5)) at the M06/def2‐TZVPP//BP86/def2‐SVP level of theory. The compounds 1–5 have a singlet ground state with a polarized Ga−E double bond. The molecular orbital analysis indicates that the Ga−E π‐MO and the lone pair on E are susceptible to nucleophilic reactivity. The nucleophilic reactivity of Ga−E π‐MO increases, and that of lone pair on E reduces when the compound changes from 1 to 5. The EDA‐NOCV analysis indicates that the nitrogen and phosphorous form charge‐separated electron‐sharing σ‐bond with Ga. The apparent switchover between the electron‐sharing σ‐interaction and donor‐acceptor σ‐interaction occurs when the group 15 element is arsenic. On the other hand, antimony and bismuth exhibit donor‐acceptor interaction with the LGa fragment in compounds 4 and 5. The π‐bond in 1–5 is similar and is formed by the donation of the p‐type lone pair on E‐atom (pz) to the empty pz‐orbital of Ga. The bonding analysis also shows that the strength of π‐bonding is reduced on moving towards the heavier elements. A very high first and second proton affinity indicates that group 15 elements in compounds 1–5 act as double Lewis bases.
Base‐Promoted Synthetic Transformation of 4H‐Chromenes into Dihydrobenzofurans and Bispyrazolospirocyclopropanes via Intramolecular Cyclization
Authors: Medishetti Nagaraju , Ittamalla Chaitanya , Kale Ashok , Nanubolu Jagadeesh Babu , Atmakur Krishnaiah
Published: October 2021

A novel protocol is accomplished for transformation of 2‐amino‐7,7‐dimethyl‐5‐oxo‐4‐phenyl‐5,6,7,8‐tetrahydro‐4H‐chromene‐3‐carbonitrile (1) into dihydrobenzofuran‐2,2‐dicarbonitriles (2) by reacting with N‐chlorosuccinimide in presence of base at ambient temperature. On the other hand, same reaction with6‐amino‐3‐methyl‐1,4‐diphenyl‐1,4‐dihydropyrano[2,3‐c]pyrazole‐5‐carbonitrile (3) and NCS, surprisingly lead to formation of bispyrazolospirocyclopropanes (5). Simple reaction conditions, excellent yields and high compatibility are the advantages of this protocol.
The influence of supports on Rh‐TPPTS supported ionic liquid‐phase catalysts for the hydroformylation of ethylene**
Authors: Nguyen Van Chuc , Do Van Hung , Truong Duc Duc , Riisager Anders , Fehrmann Rasmus , Le Minh Thang
Published: October 2021

Supported ionic liquid‐phase (SILP) catalysts with Rh‐TPPTS (Rh‐tricesium 3,3’,3’’‐phosphanetriyltris(benzenesulfonate)) complexes and the ionic liquid (IL) 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium octylsulfate ([BMIm][n‐C8H17OSO3] have been prepared with the supports SiO2, MCM‐41, SBA‐15, Al2O3 and ZrO2 with IL loadings corresponding to 2.5‐70 % of the pore volume, characterized and evaluated for continuous, gas‐phase hydroformylation of ethylene. The initial pore size of the supports strongly influenced the pore distribution and the optimal IL loading of the SILP catalysts. After IL loading, pore sizes narrowed for the supports with large mesopores (SiO2, SBA‐15 and Al2O3), while the pore system altered to form secondary larger pores for the support with micropores and small mesopores (MCM‐41 and ZrO2). For hydroformylation of ethylene, the amount of IL had an important role on the catalytic activity of the SILP catalysts, and each support exhibited a different optimal IL loading to obtain the highest activity.
Electrocatalytic Glycerol Oxidation with Concurrent Hydrogen Evolution Utilizing an Efficient MoOx/Pt Catalyst
Authors: Yu Xiaowen , dos Santos Egon Campos , White Jai , Salazar‐Alvarez Germán , Pettersson Lars G. M. , Cornell Ann , Johnsson Mats
Published: October 2021

Glycerol electrolysis affords a green and energetically favorable route for the production of value‐added chemicals at the anode and H2 production in parallel at the cathode. Here, a facile method for trapping Pt nanoparticles at oxygen vacancies of molybdenum oxide (MoOx) nanosheets, yielding a high‐performance MoOx/Pt composite electrocatalyst for both the glycerol oxidation reaction (GOR) and the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in alkaline electrolytes, is reported. Combined electrochemical experiments and theoretical calculations reveal the important role of MoOx nanosheets for the adsorption of glycerol molecules in GOR and the dissociation of water molecules in HER, as well as the strong electronic interaction with Pt. The MoOx/Pt composite thus significantly enhances the specific mass activity of Pt and the kinetics for both reactions. With MoOx/Pt electrodes serving as both cathode and anode, two‐electrode glycerol electrolysis is achieved at a cell voltage of 0.70 V to reach a current density of 10 mA cm−2, which is 0.90 V less than that required for water electrolysis.
Well‐Defined NHC−Ni Complexes as Catalysts: Preparation, Structures and Mechanistic Studies in Cross‐Coupling Reactions
Authors: Matsubara Kouki
Published: October 2021

Developmental studies are ongoing to discover a way to utilise new N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC)−Ni complexes as catalysts. Using a bulky NHC ligand, it is possible to synthesise an NHC/phosphine‐mixed heteroleptic Ni(II) complex, which can serve as an excellent catalyst for various cross‐coupling reactions. During the study of the reaction mechanisms using these Ni complexes, NHC−Ni(I) complexes were accidentally discovered, and it was observed that they exhibit excellent catalytic activity for cross‐coupling reactions. The possibility of the presence of NHC−Ni(I) intermediates in these catalytic reaction pathways has been experimentally demonstrated. Depending on the type of reaction, dinuclear Ni(I) and mononuclear Ni(I) complexes can function as intermediates. The results of the investigation of each reaction mechanism are summarised, and the prospects are described.
3D‐Boronic Ester Architectures: Synthesis, Host‐Guest Chemistry, Dynamic Behavior, and Supramolecular Catalysis
Authors: Iwasawa Nobuharu , Ono Kosuke
Published: October 2021

Boronic esters are known to be formed simply by mixing boronic acids and alcohols under neutral conditions, and the equilibrium is in favor of the boronic esters when 1,2‐ or 1,3‐diols are employed as alcohols. By utilizing the dynamic nature of the boronic ester formation, our group successfully constructed unique boron‐containing 3D structures, such as ring‐shaped macrocycles, cages, and tubes, based on the boronic ester formation of various aromatic di‐, tri‐, or hexaboronic acids with an originally designed tetrol 1 containing two sets of fixed 1,2‐diol units oriented on the same face of an indacene framework. Various functions of the obtained boronates were further pursued to disclose the characteristic features of this system. This personal account describes our self‐assembled boronate system using tetrol 1 including synthesis, host‐guest chemistry, kinetic connection, characteristic dynamic behaviors, and supramolecular catalysis.
Advanced Maximum Power Point Tracker for PV Systems Under Dusty Weather Environments
Authors: Ahmed Nabil A. , Alajmi Bader N. , Abdelsalam Ibrahim , Marei Mostafa I. , AlHajri MF
Published: October 2021

Dusty weather is a most important disturbance for photovoltaic (PV) systems, that may result in PV panels exposure to partial shading conditions where the PV panel characteristics show several maximum power points. Moreover, dusty weather conditions may lead to rapid changes in solar radiations. Thus, conventional power system tracking algorithms are not being capable to track the global maximum power point (GMPP). This paper provides an advanced maximum power point tracker for partial shading and dusty weather conditions. In the presented technique, scanning and power lock conditions are added to the conventional perturbations and observation technique in photovoltaic system under partial shading or dusty weather conditions. This tracking method scans the PV characteristic in steps and stores all the maximum power points in order to get the GMPP. The proposed tracker is capable to identify the uniform weather conditions to save it from having unnecessary scanning. In addition, this tracker permits dynamic tracking of the GMPP under dusty weather conditions with less fluctuations and stable operation compared to the conventional methods. Accurate and fast conversion to the GMPP during various weather conditions is accomplished using the proposed technique. The proposed modified perturb and observe technique is validated using simulation and practical results. © 2021 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.