bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Non‐vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants versus vitamin K antagonists in atrial fibrillation patients with previous stroke or intracranial hemorrhage: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of observational studies
Authors: Guo Zongwen , Ding Xiaoli , Ye Zi , Chen Weiling , Chen Yijian
Published: May 2021

Several observational studies have compared the effectiveness and safety outcomes between nonvitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) and vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with a history of either stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA) or intracranial hemorrhage. Therefore, our current meta‐analysis aimed to address this issue. The Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Embase databases were systematically searched until December 2020 for all relevant observational studies. We applied a random‐effects model to pool adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for this meta‐analysis. A total of 10 studies were included. Among patients with a history of stroke/TIA, the use of NOACs versus VKAs was associated with decreased risks of stroke (HR, 0.82, 95% CI 0.69–0.97), systemic embolism (HR, 0.73, 95% CI 0.61–0.87), all‐cause death (HR, 0.87, 95% CI 0.81–0.94), major bleeding (HR, 0.77, 95% CI 0.64–0.92) and intracranial hemorrhage (HR, 0.54, 95% CI 0.38–0.77). Among patients with a history of intracranial hemorrhage, the use of NOACs versus VKAs was associated with reduced risks of stroke (HR, 0.81, 95% CI 0.68–0.95), all‐cause death (HR, 0.68, 95% CI 0.49–0.94), and intracranial hemorrhage (HR, 0.66, 95% CI 0.51–0.84). Compared with VKAs, the use of NOACs exhibited superior efficacy and safety outcomes in AF patients with previous stroke/TIA, and the use of NOACs was associated with reduced risks of stroke, all‐cause death, and intracranial hemorrhage in patients with a history of intracranial hemorrhage.
NIDA sets 5 mg of THC as standard cannabis unit for research
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: May 2021

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), one of the barriers to research on cannabis is the lack of a standard unit. “Existing experimental data are often hard to interpret due to the wide variability in potency of cannabis plant material and extracts, the lack of standard measures of use, and the wide variety of ways people consume cannabis,” according to a May 10 blog post by NIDA Director Nora Volkow, M.D.
A validated mathematical model of FGFR3‐mediated tumor growth reveals pathways to harness the benefits of combination targeted therapy and immunotherapy in bladder cancer
Authors: Okuneye Kamaldeen , Bergman Daniel , Bloodworth Jeffrey C. , Pearson Alexander T. , Sweis Randy F. , Jackson Trachette L.
Published: May 2021

Bladder cancer is a common malignancy with over 80,000 estimated new cases and nearly 18,000 deaths per year in the United States alone. Therapeutic options for metastatic bladder cancer had not evolved much for nearly four decades, until recently, when five immune checkpoint inhibitors were approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Despite the activity of these drugs in some patients, the objective response rate for each is less than 25%. At the same time, fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs) have been attractive drug targets for a variety of cancers, and in 2019 the FDA approved the first therapy targeted against FGFR3 for bladder cancer. Given the excitement around these new receptor tyrosine kinase and immune checkpoint targeted strategies, and the challenges they each may face on their own, emerging data suggest that combining these treatment options could lead to improved therapeutic outcomes. In this paper, we develop a mathematical model for FGFR3‐mediated tumor growth and use it to investigate the impact of the combined administration of a small molecule inhibitor of FGFR3 and a monoclonal antibody against the PD‐1/PD‐L1 immune checkpoint. The model is carefully calibrated and validated with experimental data before survival benefits, and dosing schedules are explored. Predictions of the model suggest that FGFR3 mutation reduces the effectiveness of anti‐PD‐L1 therapy, that there are regions of parameter space where each monotherapy can outperform the other, and that pretreatment with anti‐PD‐L1 therapy always results in greater tumor reduction even when anti‐FGFR3 therapy is the more effective monotherapy.
AC electrokinetic isolation and detection of extracellular vesicles from dental pulp stem cells: Theoretical simulation incorporating fluid mechanics
Authors: Hadady Hanieh , Karamali Fereshteh , Ejeian Fatemeh , Haghjooy Javanmard Shaghayegh , Rafiee Laleh , Nasr Esfahani Mohammad Hossein
Published: May 2021

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are cell‐derived nanoscale vesicles involved in intracellular communication and the transportation of biomarkers. EVs released by mesenchymal stem cells have been recently reported to play a role in cell‐free therapy of many diseases. However, the demand for better research tools to replace the tedious conventional methods used to study EVs is getting stronger. EVs' manipulation using alternating current (AC) electrokinetic forces in a microfluidic device has appeared to be a reliable and sensitive diagnosis and trapping technique. Given that different AC electrokinetic forces may contribute to the overall motion of particles and fluids in a microfluidic device, EVs' electrokinetic trapping must be examined considering all dominant forces involved depending on the experimental conditions. In this paper, AC electrokinetic trapping of EVs using an interdigitated electrode arrays is investigated. A 2D numerical simulation incorporating the two significant AC electrokinetic phenomena (Dielectrophoresis and AC electroosmosis) has been performed. Theoretical predictions are then compared with experimental results and allow for a plausible explanation of observations inconsistent with DEP theory. It is demonstrated that the inconsistencies can be attributed to a significant extent to the contribution of the AC electroosmotic effect.
The Role of Pilot Lines in Bridging the Gap Between Fundamental Research and Industrial Production for Lithium‐Ion Battery Cells Relevant to Sustainable Electromobility: A Review
Authors: Keppeler Miriam , Tran Hai-Yen , Braunwarth Wolfgang
Published: May 2021

Despite intensive research activities on lithium‐ion technology, particularly in the past five decades, the technological background for automotive lithium‐ion battery mass production in Europe is rather young and not yet ready to meet requirements of automobile manufacturers. In light of the strong increase in electromobility, bridging this gap between fundamental research and industrial production is mandatory to keep the value chain of automobile manufacture in European countries. Challenges in know‐how transfer from lab scale to industry scale arise from different product configurations and objectives. Lab scale focuses primarily on material development and screening, utilizes small‐sized half‐cell or single‐layered designs with one‐side‐coated electrodes, and applies manually operated, discontinuous equipment, whereas industry focuses on optimized trade‐offs between throughput, quality, and costs. Market‐relevant cells contain usually double‐side‐coated electrodes with comparatively higher areal capacities, assembled into multilayered configurations. Mass production is conducted through automated, continuous processes including roll‐to‐roll manufacturing and consecutive pick‐and‐place operations. Inevitably, standard laboratory conditions do not allow for prediction of either optimized mass‐production process parameters nor physicochemical characteristics of final products. Hence, this Review aims to identify challenges in transferring lab‐scale results to industry with special focus on pilot lines as intermediate step between the different technological levels.
Carbon capture, utilization, and storage hub development on the Gulf Coast
Authors: Meckel T.A. , Bump A.P. , Hovorka S.D. , Trevino R.H.
Published: May 2021

The Gulf Coast of the United States hosts diverse power generation, refining, and petrochemical processing facilities, resulting in the nation's largest volumetric concentration of industrial CO2 emissions, rivaled only by the Ohio River Valley. These emissions sources are concentrated in specific industrial clusters that allow combining emissions streams to achieve economies of scale. The region is currently undergoing globally significant industrial expansion and investment as a result of abundant and inexpensive regional unconventional natural gas availability, and is a growing exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG). Opportunities to integrate CO2 emission management within the diverse energy chains in the region are volumetrically significant and include both concentrated and dilute sources. Significant examples of capture, transport, and storage exist. Offshore storage is particularly attractive, as it provides simplified land leasing models (single governmental land owner), proven reservoir quality, and presents fewer risks to both protected groundwater and populated areas. Projects can now take advantage of recently expanded opportunities under section 45Q of the Internal Revenue Service tax code. The region continues to evolve as an active carbon‐handling hub, and is uniquely suited to justify additional investment in carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies via a large‐scale integrated project development. Continued development of integrated projects will allow the region to continue to grow economically within its strong fossil‐fuel handling competence focus while advancing low‐carbon energy technologies that maintain globally competitiveness. © 2021 The Authors. Greenhouse Gases: Science and Technology published by Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Nanoscale zero‐valent Ni–Fe alloy catalyst featuring a dual galvanic effect to promote formate formation by CO2 hydrogenation
Authors: Wang Tianhao , Zhao Yi
Published: May 2021

Global greenhouse effect is being exacerbated by continuously increasing CO2 emissions. Hence, we prepared a nanoscale zero‐valent Ni–Fe alloy featuring a dual galvanic effect to facilitate the formation of formate by CO2 hydrogenation in this work. The properties of the bimetallic nanocatalyst were characterized by various techniques, such as X‐ray photoelectron spectrometer, X‐ray powder diffraction, and high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy, indicating that the major phase composition was an alloy of Ni0 and Fe0. According to the catalyst characterizations before and after the reaction, experimental phenomena, and related literatures, we proposed that the dual galvanic effect between Ni0 and Fe0 was an especially important mechanism to promote the release of BH4‐n(OH)n– (n = 0–3) from KBH4, which acted as the hydrogen donor for CO2. Furthermore, the optimization of process parameters was carried out to determine the optimal experimental conditions: the catalyst dosage was 1 g·L–1, the KBH4 concentration was 0.2 mol·L–1, the reaction temperature was 65 °C, the solution pH was 9.5 and the flue gas velocity was 0.5 L·min–1. The average CO2 conversion efficiency and the formate selectivity reached 60.50 and 54.97%, respectively. Our research results can provide reference for the development of novel CO2 resource utilization technologies. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Surgical management of recurrent vaginal obliteration due to severe erosive lichen planus
Authors: Kanneganti Abhiram , Ismail‐Pratt Ida , Yasin Nooraishah , Low Jeffrey J. H.
Published: May 2021

Synopsis

Recurrent vaginal stenosis secondary to severe vulvar lichen planus can be treated with surgical division, anti‐adhesion gels, and sustained post‐operative topical steroid and dilator usage.
WNT3A‐loaded exosomes enable cartilage repair
Authors: Thomas Bethan L. , Eldridge Suzanne E. , Nosrati Babak , Alvarez Mario , Thorup Anne‐Sophie , Nalesso Giovanna , Caxaria Sara , Barawi Aida , Nicholson James G. , Perretti Mauro , Gaston‐Massuet Carles , Pitzalis Costantino , Maloney Alison , Moore Adrian , Jupp Ray , Dell'Accio Francesco
Published: May 2021

Cartilage defects repair poorly. Recent genetic studies suggest that WNT3a may contribute to cartilage regeneration, however the dense, avascular cartilage extracellular matrix limits its penetration and signalling to chondrocytes. Extracellular vesicles actively penetrate intact cartilage. This study investigates the effect of delivering WNT3a into large cartilage defects in vivo using exosomes as a delivery vehicle. Exosomes were purified by ultracentrifugation from conditioned medium of either L‐cells overexpressing WNT3a or control un‐transduced L‐cells, and characterized by electron microscopy, nanoparticle tracking analysis and marker profiling. WNT3a loaded on exosomes was quantified by western blotting and functionally characterized in vitro using the SUPER8TOPFlash reporter assay and other established readouts including proliferation and proteoglycan content. In vivo pathway activation was assessed using TCF/Lef:H2B‐GFP reporter mice. Wnt3a loaded exosomes were injected into the knees of mice, in which large osteochondral defects were surgically generated. The degree of repair was histologically scored after 8 weeks. WNT3a was successfully loaded on exosomes and resulted in activation of WNT signalling in vitro. In vivo, recombinant WNT3a failed to activate WNT signalling in cartilage, whereas a single administration of WNT3a loaded exosomes activated canonical WNT signalling for at least one week, and eight weeks later, improved the repair of osteochondral defects. WNT3a assembled on exosomes, is efficiently delivered into cartilage and contributes to the healing of osteochondral defects.
High‐quality pectin from cantaloupe waste: eco‐friendly extraction process, optimization, characterization and bioactivity measurements
Authors: Kazemi Milad , Amiri Samani Sara , Ezzati Shiva , Khodaiyan Faramarz , Hosseini Seyed Saeid , Jafari Maryam
Published: May 2021

BACKGROUND

The rind from cantaloupe is an agricultural waste of cantaloupe industrial processing. The current study tried to (i) evaluate the potential use of cantaloupe rind as a pectin source, (ii) optimize the factors of microwave‐assisted extraction process using Box–Behnken design, and (iii) characterize the isolated pectin using various physicochemical, structural, functional and bioactivity properties.

RESULTS

Four variables of the extraction process were successfully optimized at a microwave power of 700 W, irradiation time of 112 s, pH value of 1.50 and liquid to solid (LS) value of 30 mL g−1, with a yield of 181.4 g kg−1. The analysis indicated a high‐methylated galacturonic acid‐rich (703.4 g kg−1) sample with an average molecular weight of 390.475 kDa. Also, the isolated pectin showed considerable functionality and antioxidant ability. The main functional groups, structural characteristics and crystallinity of samples were comparatively studied using Fourier transform infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance and X‐ray diffraction spectroscopies.

CONCLUSION

In comparison to commercial citrus pectin, isolated pectin showed a significantly higher value for most of the functional analysis such as oil holding capacity, emulsifying capacity, emulsion stability, DPPH• and ABTS•+ scavenging activity, and reducing power assay. In other analyses the isolated sample was close to the commercial one, indicating that cantaloupe rinds should be considered as a suitable additional resource for pectin production. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry
Outcomes of a Postoperative Data‐Extraction Questionnaire After Adenotonsillectomy in Children
Authors: Billings Kathleen R. , Stake Christine , Arzu Jennifer , Lavin Jennifer
Published: May 2021

Objectives/Hypothesis

To evaluate outcomes of a postoperative telephone questionnaire for children who underwent adenotonsillectomy (T&A). To determine whether episodes of postoperative hemorrhage were not captured until the call, and whether this impacted knowledge of physician rates of hemorrhage.

Study Design

Retrospective database analysis.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of outcomes of an 11‐question data extraction tool utilized at a tertiary care children's hospital for follow‐up in T&A patients <18 years of age over a 2‐year period. Sub‐analysis of positive responses to the question asking about incidence of postoperative hemorrhage.

Results

During the study period, 1,068/3,142 (34.0%) parents responded to the phone call. Median age was 6.0 years (interquartile range [IQR] 4.0–8.2), and 566 (53.0%) were male. Ninety (8.4%) noted that the child was still snoring, but only 9 (0.84%) reported signs of obstructed breathing. A total of 402 (37.6%) reported a voice change after surgery. Most children (n = 885, 82.9%) did not receive opioid analgesics, and 252 (23.6%) received acetaminophen/ibuprofen 7 days postoperatively. Return visits to the emergency department were reported in 149 patients; primarily for hemorrhage in 46 (30.8%). In 7 (15.2%) patients, the hemorrhage event was not recorded until the call. The majority‐of respondents (n = 1,031, 96.5%) were satisfied with the outcome of the procedure.

Conclusions

The postoperative T&A tool provided a means of gathering information on success and satisfaction with surgical outcomes. Children were able to be managed primarily with acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Most complications were captured in the electronic record, although some episodes of hemorrhage were not noted until the call, emphasizing the importance of follow‐up.

Level of Evidence

3 Laryngoscope, 131:E2821–E2826, 2021
Reflections on Amazon
Authors: Wich Scott
Published: May 2021

Union elections happen every day across the nation. None in recent history have been as high profile as the March 2021 union election at an Amazon warehouse in Bessemer, Alabama. The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) recently pursued a high‐stakes petition at Amazon to represent thousands of warehouse workers. The election made its way into the mainstream media and attracted interest from as high as the White House. Few could have predicted the significantly lopsided result in favor of the company.
The impact of CYP19A1 variants and haplotypes on breast cancer risk, clinicopathological features and prognosis
Authors: Alwan Ahmad Mohammed , Afzaljavan Fahimeh , Tavakol Afshari Jalil , Homaei Shandiz Fatemeh , Barati Bagherabad Matineh , Vahednia Elham , Kheradmand Nahid , Pasdar Alireza
Published: May 2021

Background

Different genetic variants in hormone‐regulating pathways have been identified to influence the risk of breast cancer. This study aimed to evaluate the association of CYP19A1 rs10046 and rs700519 polymorphisms with the risk, clinicopathological factors and prognosis of breast cancer.

Methods

In a case‐control study, rs10046 and rs700519 polymorphisms were genotyped using ARMS‐PCR and high‐resolution melting (HRM), respectively, in a total of 702 females. Statistical analysis and evaluation of haplotypes and linkage disequilibrium were performed using SPSS v16, PHASE and 2LD.

Results

Although no association of rs700519 with breast cancer was observed, rs10046 in different genetic models as well as C‐C/C‐T and C‐C/C‐C diplotypes, revealed the association with the risk of breast cancer (p < 0.05). Moreover, the rs700519‐C allele was shown to be associated with longer overall survival. In contrast, the T‐T haplotype conferred s a shorter overall survival. rs700519‐C allele was also significantly associated with menarche age.

Conclusion

Based on the identified independent association between CYP19A1 diplotypes and rs700519‐C allele with the risk and prognosis of the disease, the gene region and its genetic variants may have a diagnostic and prognostic role in breast cancer development. Further confirmation using other variants in this locus can validate these findings.
Numerical simulation of a two‐compartmental fractional model in pharmacokinetics and parameters estimation
Authors: Qiao Yanli , Xu Huanying , Qi Haitao
Published: May 2021

Compartmental model is the classic and widely used approach in pharmacokinetics. Recently, fractional calculus is introduced to describe the time course of drugs in human body which follow the anomalous diffusion mechanism. To consider the different fractional order transmission process, the two‐compartmental fractional model has been proposed and studied. And it will be of great significance to find out a simple and efficient numerical method to solve the model and estimate model parameters. This work investigates two numerical methods of the two‐compartmental fractional model using finite difference schemes, which are based on the shifted Grünwald–Letnikov approximate formula and L1 formula, respectively. The hybrid Nelder–Mead simplex search and particle swarm optimization, denoted as NMSS–PSO, is provided to estimate the fractional model parameters. Comparison between the numerical solution and the solution by the numerical inverse Laplace transform method establishes the validity of the developed numerical algorithms. Then the influence of the order of fractional derivative on the drug amount in human body is also discussed. Finally, the two‐compartmental fractional model is applied to fit the amiodarone pharmacokinetics data based on the NMSS–PSO algorithms. This work will be of importance for the development of fractional pharmacokinetics.
A Systematic Review Assessing Clinical Utility of Curcumin with a Focus on Cancer Prevention
Authors: Howells Lynne , Malhotra Mukhtyar Rushad , Theofanous Despoina , Pepper Coral , Thomas Anne , Brown Karen , Khan Sameena
Published: May 2021

Scope

There is extensive pre‐clinical evidence for utility of curcuminoids across many diseases with a particular focus on cancer prevention, yet there remains a paucity of clinical evidence for its approved use. To assess current knowledge on the broader potential for clinical efficacy of curcumin and in particular, in cancer prevention strategies, this study undertook a systematic review determining the number and quality of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) undertaken across any pathology.

Methods and Results

Search strategies for RCTs using a quantifiable amount of curcuminoids, are applied across Medline (Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online), Embase (Excerpta Medica dataBASE), Cochrane and clinicaltrials.gov. There are 314 curcuminoid‐based RCTs, with 100 of these revealing significant within‐ and between‐group changes relating to the primary outcome. Twenty three studies are conducted in a setting where there is an increased risk of cancer. Fifteen of these meet all prescribed quality criteria, and 10 reveal positive outcomes.

Conclusions

A substantial number of studies reveal positive outcomes following curcumin use. However, despite the vast array of preclinical data, there are relatively few RCTs conducted in the prevention setting. Future approaches to trials must deliver improved robustness and credibility of curcumin‐related research to facilitate approvals for use in clinical settings.
Consider the crucial skills for effective project management
Authors: Hodges Dawn Z.
Published: May 2021

During my years working in higher education, I have often led, or been a team member of, a group managing a project. These projects have included preparing for a 10‐year accreditation review; building or furnishing new buildings or even new campuses; creating emergency protocols; writing documents such as the curriculum catalog, faculty manual, and staff handbook; revising the general education curriculum; merging with other colleges; holding a major event on the campus; and helping the college system in your state host a state, regional, or national conference. I'm sure you can think of countless projects you've worked on. If you're new to administration, you will receive many project management assignments in the future.
Pair of reports indicate global interest in graduate programs is up
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: May 2021

A pair of research reports from the Graduate Management Admissions illustrate that while enrollment across   many institutions in higher education is down, attitudes toward earning a graduate degree in certain specific fields is up among prospective students.
The Variational Field Equations of Cosmological Topologically Massive Supergravity
Authors: Dereli Tekin , Yetişmişoğlu Cem
Published: May 2021

We discuss the formulation of cosmological topologically massive (simple) supergravity theory in three‐dimensional Riemann‐Cartan space‐times. We use the language of exterior differential forms and the properties of Majorana spinors on 3‐dimensional space‐times to explicitly demonstrate the local supersymmetry of the action density involved. Exact coupled field equations that are complete in both of their bosonic and fermionic sectors are derived by a first order variational principle subject to a torsion‐constraint imposed by the method of Lagrange multipliers. Cotton and Cottino 2‐forms that are complete to all orders in the gravitino field are derived and their properties such as trace are investigated.
Quantized output‐feedback guaranteed cost control for discrete‐time large‐scale interconnected systems with actuator faults
Authors: Priyanka S. , Sakthivel R. , Tharanidharan V. , Nithya V.
Published: May 2021

This paper investigates the problem of designing a decentralized static output feedback control for a class of large‐scale interconnected discrete‐time systems with quantized signals and time‐varying actuator faults wherein the control input is quantized by means of logarithmic quantizer to avoid chattering. Based on Lyapunov stability theory together with the improved reciprocally convex approach, sufficient conditions are derived in terms of linear matrix inequalities. Specifically, with the aid of cone complementarity linearization technique, the control law is derived which ensures the asymptotic stabilization of considered system with prescribedH∞performance index and also guarantees optimum cost bound in spite of quantization and fault occurs. Finally, numerical examples are provided to demonstrate the significance of the designed control method.
Composition of Different Carbohydrate Fractions in Potatoes: Effect of Cooking and Cooling
Authors: Raigond Pinky , Parmar Vandana , Thakur Asha , Lal Milan Kumar , Changan Sushil Sudhakar , Kumar Dharmender , Dutt Som , Singh Brajesh
Published: May 2021

Effect of cooking methods (boiling, microwaving, pressure cooking) and storage conditions (–20, 4, 12 °C) on resistant starch (RS), amylose, and sugars in the Indian cultivars, viz., Kufri Pukhraj and Kufri Chipsona‐1 is investigated. Starch decreased significantly in Kufri Pukhraj and non‐significantly in Kufri Chipsona 1 with a concomitant significant increase in reducing sugars and sucrose in cooked potatoes. Storage of microwaved tubers at 4 °C for 48 h results in 4–6% reduction in starch content with 66–109% and 16–18% increase in reducing sugars and sucrose, respectively. Increase in RS content at –20, 4 and 12 °C after 48 h is 14%, 21%, and 27% after microwaving, 12%, 25%, and 23% after boiling, and 13%, 15%, and 20%, respectively, after pressure cooking. Amylose showed high positive correlation with RS at 4 °C (R = 0.756) and 12 h storage (R = 0.924). The study reveals that storage of microwaved potatoes at 12 °C for 48 h increases the RS to a higher extent, therefore, these cooking and storage conditions may be used by potato consumers. Due to inverse relation of RS and amylose with glycemic index they can be used for indirect estimation of glycemic index.
The site‐specific selection of the infiltration model based on the global dataset and random forest algorithm
Authors: Kim Seongyun , Karahan Gülay , Sharma Manan , Pachepsky Yakov
Published: May 2021

The selection of the infiltration equation is important in various water research and management fields. Different infiltration equations were found to perform better than others in previous studies. Our objective was to use the Soil Water Infiltration Global (SWIG) database for (a) evaluating and comparing infiltration equations and (b) using the random forest algorithm to investigate how soil properties, land use, and infiltration measurement methods influence the infiltration equation selection. The performance of six equations (Horton, Mezencev, Collis‐George, Green–Ampt, Philip, and Swartzendruber) was characterized by the Akaike information criterion obtained after fitting them to 4,830 cumulative infiltration datasets from the SWIG database. Then, the random forest algorithm was applied to predict the best infiltration equation using soil texture class, organic matter content, bulk density, saturated hydraulic conductivity, land use, and infiltration measurement method as inputs. The Horton, Mezencev, and Collis‐George models were the best in 36, 24, and 12% of cases, respectively. Swartzendruber, Philip, and Green–Ampt were the best in 11, 10, and 7% cases, respectively. The different error of predicting the best infiltration equation was observed in different parts of input variable space. The infiltration method was by far the most important predictor for a model being the best across the whole database, followed by the organic C content and land use type. Organic C content and land use type were the most important predictors for the tension infiltrometer datasets. The SWIG database presents the opportunity to forecast which infiltration equation will work best in site‐specific conditions.
Plastic Pollution and Climate Change: Role of Bioremediation as a Tool to Achieving Sustainability
Authors: Idowu S. A. , Arotupin D. J. , Oladejo S. O.
Published: May 2021

Pollution from post-consumer plastics is a growing global environmental challenge whose negative impacts are exacerbating climate change. Plastics are stable, durable, and hydrophobic. They possess high molecular weight, complex three-dimensional structure, and are not readily available to be used as substrate by biological agents such as microorganisms and enzymes. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is one of the examples of petrochemical-based plastics. PET is a strong, clear, and light-weight plastic with global usage in the production of bottles. Technological innovation, policy formulation, advocacy and sensitization, change in consumption pattern, and bioremediation are some of the approaches that are currently being used to mitigate environmental pollution from post-consumer PET bottles. The ubiquitous property of microorganisms and their ability to survive in almost every environment, including very extreme ones, make them good candidate for biodegradation. Bioremediation is simply defined as engineered or enhanced biodegradation. This review discusses the potential of bioremediation as sustainable and environment-friendly tool to clean up post-consumer PET bottles that already accumulate on land, in soil, and in water bodies.
Role of Cassava and Sweetpotato in Mitigating Drought in Semi-Arid Makueni County in Kenya
Authors: Githunguri C. M. , Njiru E. N.
Published: May 2021

Cassava and sweetpotato are major factors in food security across sub-Saharan Africa. Though cassava and sweetpotato varieties that are early maturing and resistant to diseases have been developed, many farmers still grow local varieties. Cassava and sweetpotato cultivars that mature between 6 and 12 and 3 and 4 months after planting, respectively, are available. The objective of the synthesis was to obtain a general overview of cassava and sweetpotato production in Matiliku subcounty of Makueni County in semi-arid eastern Kenya before the establishment of a seed system for them. Participatory rural appraisal and focused group discussions with key stakeholders in Makueni County on the current status of these crops provided very useful information. It was observed that there are a few early cassava and sweetpotato adopters, meaning a lot of effort in communicating the need to commercialize them needs to be made. Even though the farmers had sufficient experience in growing them at subsistence level, they were searching for cultivars that combine both nutritional and food security. There is a need to engage more extension service providers in order to campaign on their adoption. There is a need to carryout training and awareness creation on their role in food security and wealth creation.
Integrating Climate Adaptation, Poverty Reduction, and Environmental Conservation in Kwale County, Kenya
Authors: Ambrosino Chiara , Hufton Ben , Nyawade Benson Okinyi , Osimbo Harriet , Owiti Phanuel
Published: May 2021

Shoreline erosion, flood surges, river sediments, and water pollution are only a few of the common threats to many coastal areas, with extreme climate-related events exacerbating the intensity and urgency of the resulting negative impacts. In addition, some coastal areas are excessively mined for sand, protective mangroves are destroyed, and coastal waters are overfished, affecting the well-being, safety, and livelihoods of local communities. These threats disproportionally affect the poorest and most marginalized groups, including women and children, leading to their increased vulnerability to climate change and adoption of negative coping mechanisms.

This chapter proposes an integrated people-centered approach, with a particular focus on women, to address the triple crisis – poverty, climate change, and nature – at the local level. Findings will be shared from a 2-year project implemented in the southernmost coastal region of Kwale County in Kenya, which aimed to achieve beneficial and interconnected social, environmental, and climate outcomes. The chapter discusses findings, successes, and lessons learned from the action and the requirement to position vulnerable groups at the center of initiatives designed to address the triple crisis. Limitations of the study and main recommendations for future programming in similar contexts are also shared.
Land Use Cover Types and Forest Management Options for Carbon in Mabira Central Forest Reserve
Authors: Jjagwe Aisha , Kakembo Vincent , Bernard Barasa
Published: May 2021

Mabira Central Forest Reserve (CFR), one of the biggest forest reserves in Uganda, has increasingly undergone encroachments and deforestation. This chapter presents the implications of a range of forest management options for carbon stocks in the Mabira CFR. The effects of forest management options were reviewed by comparing above-ground biomass (AGB), carbon, and soil organic carbon (SOC) in three management zones. The chapter attempts to provide estimates of AGB and carbon stocks (t/ha) of forest (trees) and SOC using sampling techniques and allometric equations. AGB and carbon were obtained from a count of 143 trees, measuring parameters of diameter at breast height (DBH), crown diameter (CW), and height (H) with tree coordinates. It also makes use of the Velle (Estimation of standing stock of woody biomass in areas where little or no baseline data are available. A study based on field measurements in Uganda. Norges Landbrukshoegskole, Ås, 1995) allometric equations developed for Uganda to estimate AGB.

The strict nature reserve management zone was noted to sink the highest volume of carbon of approximately 6,771,092.34 tonnes, as compared to the recreation zone (2,196,467.59 tonnes) and production zone (458,903.57 tonnes). A statistically significant relationship was identified between AGB and carbon. SOC varied with soil depth, with the soil surface of 0–10 cm depth registering the highest mean of 2.78% across all the management zones. Soil depth and land use/cover types also had a statistically significant effect on the percentage of SOC (P = 0.05). A statistically significant difference at the 95% significance level was also identified between the mean carbon stocks from one level of management zones to another. Recommendations include: demarcating forest boundaries to minimize encroachment, enforcement of forestry policy for sustainable development, promote reforestation, and increase human resources for efficient monitoring of the forest compartments.
Access to Water Resources and Household Vulnerability to Malaria in the Okavango Delta, Botswana
Authors: Motsholapheko M. R. , Ngwenya B. N.
Published: May 2021

Malaria is a persistent health risk for most rural communities in tropical wetlands of developing countries, particularly in the advent of climate change. This chapter assesses household access to water resources, livelihood assets, and vulnerability to malaria in the Okavango Delta of north-western Botswana. Data were obtained from a cross-sectional survey of 355 households, key informant interviews, PRA-based focus group discussions (FDGs), interviews with experts in various related fields, PRA workshop participant interviews, and literature review. There was high access to natural capital, and most households engaged in nature-based livelihood activities. Access to resources determined type of livelihood activities that households engaged in. However, there was no association between household exposure and/or susceptibility, and type of livelihood activities pursued by households. Household vulnerability to malaria was higher in remote and rural locations than in urban neighborhoods. Malaria prevention and vulnerability aversion programs need to be coupled with improvements in housing and well-being in the Okavango Delta and similar wetlands.
Farmers’ Adoption of Climate Smart Practices for Increased Productivity in Nigeria
Authors: Fawole B. E. , Aderinoye-Abdulwahab S. A.
Published: May 2021

In a bid to reinforce the efforts of agricultural professionals within the domain of climate change studies and with particular emphasis on rural farmers in Nigeria, this chapter explores the mechanics for adoption of climate smart agricultural practices among rural farmers for an increased agricultural productivity. Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) is paramount to the success of farming activities today in the face of the menace of the impact of climate change. Climate Smart Agricultural Practice (CSAP) is one of the major keys that agricultural development approaches aimed at; to sustainably increase productivity and resilience, while also reducing the effects; as well as removing emissions of greenhouse gases. It is pertinent to note that most of the CSAPs adopted by the rural farmers in this study are conservation agriculture, use of organic manure, crop diversification, use of wetland (Fadama), planting of drought tolerant crops, relocation from climate risk zones, prayers for God’s intervention, and improvement on farmers’ management skills. This study divulged and showcased the import of CSAP in boosting agricultural yield and also highlights the bottlenecks inhibiting agricultural farming practices such as lack of practical understanding of the approach, inadequate data and information, lack of suitable tools at local and national levels, supportive and enabling policy frameworks, and socioeconomic constraints at the farm level. The study concluded by recommending an aggressive awareness and mobilization campaign to boost the adoption of CSAPs in Nigeria.
Menace and Mitigation of Health and Environmental Hazards of Charcoal Production in Nigeria
Authors: Eniola Philip Olanrewaju
Published: May 2021

The use of biomass and biofuels, such as wood, charcoal, petroleum, kerosene, and gas, is becoming competitive based on the level of development of each nation. However, charcoal production (CP) and marketing now tends to be a major business among many households in both rural and urban communities with no consideration of its effects on climate change adaptation. While the research question considers the various definition of climate change adaptation, and the importance of charcoal production in Nigeria, the manuscript speaks mainly of the problems of charcoal production, the lack of planning to address these problems, and the lack of planning to move the communities away from this practice and out of poverty. It addresses the impacts of charcoal production on agriculture, such as lack or loss of labor and destruction of arable lands. The paper discusses the effect of charcoal production on health. Also, the environmental problems of CP are highlighted in the manuscript. The policy frameworks on forestry by the Federal Ministry of Environment 2006 with its flaws will be included. Remedy such as the establishment of a Land Use Planning Agency (LUPAG) and panacea for greening the charcoal value chain issues will be discussed. Lastly, attention is given to the agricultural adaptation strategies to climate change which are capable of reducing charcoal production, such as mixed cropping.
Impacts of Climate Change on the Hydro-Climatology and Performances of Bin El Ouidane Reservoir: Morocco, Africa
Authors: Ahbari Abdellatif , Stour Laila , Agoumi Ali
Published: May 2021

In arid and humid contexts, dams’ reservoirs play a crucial role in water regulation and flood control. Under the projected climate change (CC) effects, even a preoptimized management approach (MA) of a reservoir needs to be assessed in this projected climate. This chapter aims to assess the impacts of CC on the Hydroclimatic (HC) variables of the basin upstream the reservoir of Bin El Ouidane (Morocco), and the effects on the performances of its preoptimized MA. The applied Top-Down assessment procedure included CORDEX climate projections, hydrological, siltation, evaporation, and management models. Concerning the HC variables, the results obtained concord with those reported in the literature in terms of trend, but not always in terms of intensity of change. On the other hand, the projections expected a decrease in the performances of the reservoir, except for criterion allocations’ standard deviation, calibrated during the optimization. Also, interesting conclusions have been found like: the change in precipitation dominant form, the accentuation of the pluvial hydrological regime, the advanced snow melting due to the temperature increase. This chapter presents a typical case study on how to use climate projections for reservoir MA adaptation, without being highly and negatively influenced by the climate model uncertainties.
Sorghum Farmers’ Climate Change Adaptation Strategies in the Semiarid Region of Cameroon
Authors: Abou Salé , Ali Madi , Wakponou Anselme , Sambo Armel
Published: May 2021

This chapter deals with the problem of sorghum farmers’ adaptation to climate change in the semiarid region of Cameroon. Its general objective is to compare the various adaptation strategies’ typologies and to characterize the sorghum farmers’ adaptation strategies on the basis of the suitable one. The stratified random sampling method was used to select the sites, which consist of twenty (20) villages, and the sample, which consists of six hundred (600) farm household heads. After conducting focus-groups in ten villages and interviews with resource persons, the primary data were collected using a semi-open survey questionnaire. It appears that the poor spatiotemporal distribution of rains and the drought constitute, respectively, the main climate hazard and the main water risk that farmers are dealing with; the farmers are vulnerable to climate change because the adaptation strategies used are mostly traditional, their adoption rates are very low, and the use of efficient adaptation strategies (irrigation, improved crop varieties) is almost unknown. The characterization of the adaptation strategies used shows that they are more complex than most authors who have established the typologies thought. It comes out that improving the resilience of these sorghum farmers absolutely requires the improvement of their basic socioeconomic conditions.
The Intratumoral Heterogeneity of Cancer Metabolism
Authors: Nabi Karim , Le Anne
Published: May 2021

Cancer is one of the deadliest diseases in the world, causing over half a million deaths a year in the USA alone. Despite recent advances made in the field of cancer biology and the therapies that have been developed [1, 2], it is clear that more advances are necessary for us to classify cancer as curable. The logical question that arises is simple: Why, despite all the technologies and medical innovations of our time, has a complete cure eluded us? This chapter sheds light on one of cancer’s most impactful attributes: its heterogeneity and, more specifically, the intratumoral heterogeneity of cancer metabolism. Simply put, what makes cancer one of the deadliest diseases is its ability to change and adapt. Cancer cells’ rapid evolution, coupled with their irrepressible ability to divide, gives most of them the advantage over our immune systems. In this chapter, we delve into the complexities of this adaptability and the vital role that metabolism plays in the rise and progression of this heterogeneity.
Metabolic Relationship Between Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts and Cancer Cells
Authors: Sazeides Christos , Le Anne
Published: May 2021

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), a major component of the tumor microenvironment (TME), play an important role in cancer initiation, progression, and metastasis. Recent findings have demonstrated that the TME not only provides physical support for cancer cells but also directs cell-to-cell interactions (in this case, the interaction between cancer cells and CAFs). As cancer progresses, the CAFs also coevolve, transitioning from an inactivated state to an activated state. The elucidation and understanding of the interaction between cancer cells and CAFs will pave the way for new cancer therapies [1–3].
The Heterogeneity of Breast Cancer Metabolism
Authors: Tan Jessica , Le Anne
Published: May 2021

Despite advances in screening, therapy, and surveillance that have improved patient survival rates, breast cancer is still the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer mortality among women [1]. Breast cancer is a highly heterogeneous disease rooted in a genetic basis, influenced by extrinsic stimuli, and reflected in clinical behavior. The diversity of breast cancer hormone receptor status and the expression of surface molecules have guided therapy decisions for decades; however, subtype-specific treatment often yields diverse responses due to varying tumor evolution and malignant potential. Although the mechanisms behind breast cancer heterogeneity is not well understood, available evidence suggests that studying breast cancer metabolism has the potential to provide valuable insights into the causes of these variations as well as viable targets for intervention.
Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Metabolism
Authors: Kirsch Brian James , Chang Shu-Jyuan , Betenbaugh Michael James , Le Anne
Published: May 2021

Non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHLs) are a heterogeneous group of lymphoid neoplasms with different biological characteristics. About 90% of all lymphomas in the United States originate from B lymphocytes, while the remaining originate from T cells [1]. The treatment of NHLs depends on the neoplastic histology and stage of the tumor, which will indicate whether radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or a combination is the best suitable treatment [2]. The American Cancer Society describes the staging of lymphoma as follows: Stage I is lymphoma in a single node or area. Stage II is when that lymphoma has spread to another node or organ tissue. Stage III is when it has spread to lymph nodes on two sides of the diaphragm. Stage IV is when cancer has significantly spread to organs outside the lymph system. Radiation therapy is the traditional therapeutic route for localized follicular and mucosa-associated lymphomas. Chemotherapy is utilized for the treatment of large-cell lymphomas and high-grade lymphomas [2]. However, the treatment of indolent lymphomas remains problematic as the patients often have metastasis, for which no standard approach exists [2].
Organizing Financial Opinions
Authors: Chen Chung-Chi , Huang Hen-Hsen , Chen Hsin-Hsi
Published: May 2021

In Chap. 10.1007/978-981-16-2881-8_2, we discuss what we need to extract and understand when analyzing financial opinions. In Chap. 10.1007/978-981-16-2881-8_3, we discuss where to find financial opinions. This chapter concerns how to extract and understand the financial opinions in these sources.