bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Estimating age‐at‐death in burnt adult human remains using the Falys–Prangle method
Authors: Veselka Barbara , Hlad Marta , Wolfe Steadman Dawnie , Annaert Henrica , Boudin Mathieu , Capuzzo Giacomo , Dalle Sarah , Kontopoulos Ioannis , De Mulder Guy , Sabaux Charlotte , Salesse Kevin , Sengeløv Amanda , Stamataki Elisavet , Vercauteren Martine , Tys Dries , Snoeck Christophe 
Published: December 2020

AbstractObjectivesThe Falys–Prangle‐method assesses age‐related morphological changes to the sternal clavicle end (SCE), enabling the observation of mature adults from the 5th decade onwards in unburnt human skeletal remains. The aim of this study is to investigate the applicability of the Falys–Prangle‐method on burnt human remains.Materials and methodsFifty‐two SCE of 40 cremated individuals (out of 86) from the William M. Bass collection of the Forensic Anthropology Center (Knoxville, Tennessee) of known age‐at‐death and sex are available for assessment. Surface topography, porosity, and osteophyte formation are evaluated, after which the calculated composite score is associated with the corresponding age range as described by Falys and Prangle. The method is also applied on an archaeological case study from Oudenburg, Belgium, dating to the Roman period.ResultsThe assessed age ranges strongly agree with the true age ranges (α = 0.828), suggesting the Falys–Prangle‐method to be applicable on burnt human remains. The case study from Oudenburg yields markedly improved age‐at‐death estimates, significantly enhancing our understanding of the age distribution within this community.DiscussionInformation on age‐at‐death is key in the construction of biological profiles of past individuals. The mature adult is often invisible in the archaeological record since most macroscopic age estimation methods do not distinguish beyond 46+ years old. Our study stresses the usefulness of a large‐scale application of the Falys–Prangle‐method, which will increase the visibility of mature adults, especially in archaeological burnt human skeletal collections, where such information is, at present, extremely difficult to obtain.
Paleodemographic analysis of age at death for a population of Black Sea Scythians: An exploration by using Bayesian methods
Authors: Łukasik Sylwia , Bijak Jakub , Krenz‐Niedbała Marta , Sinika Vitaly 
Published: December 2020

AbstractObjectivesStudies of the demography of past populations involving deterministic life tables can be criticized for ignoring the errors of estimation. Bayesian methods offer an alternative, by focusing on the uncertainty of the estimates, although their results are often sensitive to the choice of prior distributions. The aim of this study is to explore a range of Bayesian methods for estimating age at death for a population of nomadic warriors—Scythians from the Black Sea region.Materials and methodsIn total, skeletons of 312 individuals (93 children and 219 adults) from Glinoe (Moldova), dated to the 5th–2nd century BCE, were examined. We unified the age categories corresponding to different aging methods, allowing an application of a probabilistic assessment of the age categorization. A hierarchical Bayesian multinomial‐Dirichlet‐Dirichlet model was applied, with a hypothetical, subjective reference population, a real reference population, and no reference.ResultsStationary‐population life expectancy was estimated as 27.7 years (95% CI: 25.1–30.3) for a newborn (e0), and 16.4 years (14.0–19.0) for 20‐year‐olds (e20), although with high uncertainty, and sensitive to the model specification. Slight differences in longevity between different social strata and between the Classical and Late chronological periods were found, although with high estimation errors. A more robust finding, confirming earlier studies, was a high probability of death in young adulthood, which could depend on Scythian lifestyle (conflicts, wars).DiscussionOur study shows a way to overcome some limitations of broad age categorization by using the Bayesian approach with alternative model specifications, allowing to assess the impact of reference populations.
Integrated Green and Enzymatic Process to Produce Omega‐3 Acylglycerols from Echium plantagineum Using Immobilized Lipases
Authors: Castejón Natalia , Señoráns Francisco Javier 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThis work presents an original approach to develop an integrated process to improve the nutritional characteristics of natural oils, starting with the extraction from raw material by ecofriendly methods, followed by the production of novel acylglycerols using immobilized lipases. Specifically, 2‐monoacylglycerols (2‐MAG) enriched in omega‐3 stearidonic acid (SDA) were synthesized by selective ethanolysis of extracted Echium plantagineum oil using the lipase from Thermomyces lanuginosus (TLL). Different reaction conditions were investigated to minimize acyl migration and to ensure the purity of final products. The biocatalyst produced in our laboratory by the immobilization of TLL on Sepabeads C‐18 reached the maximum theoretical amount of 2‐MAG (33%) in only 2 hour at mild reaction conditions (25 °C), achieving a product enriched in omega‐3 SDA (up to 25%). Moreover, the produced biocatalyst exhibited higher stability than commercial lipases. The average activity after five cycles was 71%, allowing several reutilization cycles and developing a feasible enzymatic process. Finally, 2‐MAG were used as starting material to synthesize structured triacyclglycerols (STAG) through transesterification with caprylic acid ethyl esters using the lipase from Rhizomucor miehei (RML) in solvent‐free systems. The use of molecular sieves in combination with RML immobilized on Sepabeads C‐18 was demonstrated to be an extraordinarily fast strategy to produce pure STAG (100% in 1 hour), four times higher than the activity showed by commercial biocatalyst. Thus, the enzymatic processes developed in this study open a range of possibilities to synthesize omega‐3 acylglycerols with improved characteristics, proving the usefulness of immobilized lipases to produce novel lipids.
HLA–B*08 Identified as the Most Prominently Associated Major Histocompatibility Complex Locus for Anti–Carbamylated Protein Antibody–Positive/Anti–Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide–Negative Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Regueiro Cristina , Casares‐Marfil Desire , Lundberg Karin , Knevel Rachel , Acosta‐Herrera Marialbert , Rodriguez‐Rodriguez Luis , Lopez‐Mejias Raquel , Perez‐Pampin Eva , Triguero‐Martinez Ana , Nuño Laura , Ferraz‐Amaro Ivan , Rodriguez‐Carrio Javier , Lopez‐Pedrera Rosario , Robustillo‐Villarino Montse , Castañeda Santos , Remuzgo‐Martinez Sara , Alperi Mercedes , Alegre‐Sancho Juan J. , Balsa Alejandro , Gonzalez‐Alvaro Isidoro , Mera Antonio , Fernandez‐Gutierrez Benjamin , Gonzalez‐Gay Miguel A. , Trouw Leendert A. , Grönwall Caroline , Padyukov Leonid , Martin Javier , Gonzalez Antonio 
Published: December 2020

ObjectivePreviously, only the HLA–DRB1 alleles have been assessed in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aim of the present study was to identify the key major histocompatibility complex (MHC) susceptibility factors showing a significant association with anti–carbamylated protein antibody–positive (anti‐CarP+) RA.MethodsAnalyses were restricted to RA patients who were anti–cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody negative (anti‐CCP−), because the anti‐CCP status dominated the results otherwise. Therefore, we studied samples from 1,821 anti‐CCP− RA patients and 6,821 population controls from Spain, Sweden, and the Netherlands. The genotypes for ~8,000 MHC biallelic variants were assessed by dense genotyping and imputation. Their association with the anti‐CarP status in RA patients was tested with logistic regression and combined with inverse‐variance meta‐analysis. Significance of the associations was assessed according to a study‐specific threshold of P < 2.0 × 10−5.ResultsThe HLA–B*08 allele and its correlated amino acid variant Asp‐9 showed a significant association with anti‐CarP+/anti‐CCP− RA (P < 3.78 × 10−7; I2 = 0). This association was specific when assessed relative to 3 comparator groups: population controls, anti‐CarP−/anti‐CCP− RA patients, and anti‐CCP− RA patients who were positive for other anti–citrullinated protein antibodies. Based on these findings, anti‐CarP+/anti‐CCP− RA patients could be separated from other antibody‐defined subsets of RA patients in whom an association with the HLA–B*08 allele has been previously demonstrated. No other MHC variant remained associated with anti‐CarP+/anti‐CCP− RA after accounting for the presence of the HLA–B*08 allele. Specifically, the reported association of HLA–DRB1*03 was observed at a level comparable to that reported previously, but it was attributable to linkage disequilibrium.ConclusionThese results identify HLA–B*08 carrying Asp‐9 as the MHC locus showing the strongest association with anti‐CarP+/anti‐CCP− RA. This knowledge may help clarify the role of the HLA in susceptibility to specific subsets of RA, by shaping the spectrum of RA autoantibodies.
Relmacabtagene autoleucel (relma‐cel) CD19 CAR‐T therapy for adults with heavily pretreated relapsed/refractory large B‐cell lymphoma in China
Authors: Ying Zhitao , Yang Haiyan , Guo Ye , Li Wenyu , Zou Dehui , Zhou Daobin , Wang Zhao , Zhang Mingzhi , Wu Jianqiu , Liu Hui , Zhang Pian , Yang Su , Zhou Zisong , Zheng Hongxia , Song Yuqin , Zhu Jun 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundDespite numerous chimeric antigen receptor T‐cell (CAR‐T) trials conducted in China, no CAR‐T has been registered in the country. Furthermore, China law and regulations restrict the export of patient material for CAR‐T manufacture abroad. Relma‐cel (JWCAR029), an anti‐CD19 product produced with a commercial‐ready process in China, was evaluated in the first prospective, single‐arm, multicenter, pivotal study of CAR‐T therapy conducted under Chinese IND to support an NMPA‐accepted BLA submission in relapsed/refractory (r/r) LBCL (NCT04089215).MethodsPatients were randomized to receive either 100 × 106 (low dose, n = 27) or 150 × 106 (high dose, n = 32) CAR+ T‐cells as a single infusion following lymphodepleting chemotherapy (fludarabine 25 mg/m2 and cyclophosphamide 250 mg/m2 daily × 3), and then, monitored for efficacy and safety outcomes and pharmacokinetics. The primary endpoint was ORR at 3 months, as assessed by the investigators. Secondary endpoints included DOR, PFS, OS, and adverse event frequency/severity and cell expansion kinetics.ResultsAs of the data cutoff on 17 June 2020, 68 patients were enrolled, and 59 were treated. Among the 58 efficacy‐evaluable patients, the primary endpoint of 3 month ORR was 60.3% (95% CI, 46.6–73.0), excluding the null hypothesis rate of 20%. Any grade and severe grade CRS occurred in 47.5% and 5.1%, respectively, and any grade and severe grade neurotoxicity events occurred in 20.3% and 5.1%.ConclusionsRelma‐cel met the primary endpoint analysis and demonstrated a high rate of durable responses and low rate of CAR‐T‐associated toxicities in patients with r/r LBCL in a multicenter trial supporting regulatory submission in China.
A phase II trial of durvalumab and tremelimumab in metastatic, non‐urothelial carcinoma of the urinary tract
Authors: Sarfaty Michal , Whiting Karissa , Teo Min Yuen , Lee Chung‐Han , Peters Vanessa , Durocher Jennifer , Regazzi Ashley M. , McCoy Asia S. , Hettich Grace , Jungbluth Achim A. , Al‐Ahmadie Hikmat , Ostrovnaya Irina , Chaim Joshua , Bajorin Dean F. , Rosenberg Jonathan E. , Iyer Gopa , Funt Samuel A. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundImmune checkpoint blockade has made a significant impact on the clinical outcomes of patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma (UC). However, evidence for this approach in patients with non‐UC of the urinary tract is limited.MethodsThis was a phase II open‐label study of durvalumab 1500 mg and tremelimumab 75 mg every 4 weeks for four cycles followed by durvalumab 1500 mg every 4 weeks. Eligible patients had metastatic non‐UC with ECOG PS 0–1 regardless of prior therapy (except small cell carcinoma who were pretreated). The primary endpoint was overall response rate per RECIST v1.1. A Simon's minimax two‐stage design was employed, with 13 patients planned for stage one. Pre‐treatment tumors underwent PD‐L1 staining and next‐generation sequencing.ResultsThirteen patients were treated, including seven small cell carcinoma, three squamous cell carcinoma, and three adenocarcinoma. Eleven patients had visceral metastases. No responses were observed; 11 patients had PD and 2 patients had SD. Median PFS was 1.8 months (95% CI, 1.25‐not reached [NR]) with a median follow‐up of 7.38 months (range, 5.23–21.99 months). Median OS was 6.97 months (95% CI, 4.34‐NR). One patient's tumor was PD‐L1 positive and all sequenced tumors (n = 8) were microsatellite stable. Grades 3–4 treatment‐related adverse events occurred in 38.4% of patients.ConclusionsIn a poor prognosis cohort of patients with non‐UC, durvalumab and tremelimumab lacked clinical activity while demonstrating a manageable safety profile.
Role of CD19 and specific KIT‐D816 on risk stratification refinement in t(8;21) acute myeloid leukemia induced with different cytarabine intensities
Authors: Wang Biao , Yang Bin , Ling Yun , Zhang Jihong , Hua Xiaoying , Gu Weiying , Yan Feng 
Published: December 2020

AbstractHigh‐dose cytarabine (Ara‐C) has been reported with increased treatment‐related mortality, whereas few data are available concerning intermediate‐dose Ara‐C for induction of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with t(8;21) translocation. We retrospectively analyzed factors impacting complete remission (CR), event‐free survival (EFS), cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR), and overall survival (OS) in 197 adults with t(8;21) AML, of whom 107 cases were induced with intermediate‐dose and 90 with standard‐dose Ara‐C (as part of 3 + 7 protocol). After a single induction course, the overall CR rate was 87.6% (170/194), with a significant difference between the standard‐dose (83/105, 79.0%) and intermediate‐dose (87/89, 97.8%) groups (p < 0.001). Rather than general KITmut, the specific KIT‐D816 independently led to a lower probability of achieving CR (HR = 3.29 [1.18–9.24], p = 0.023), worse EFS (HR = 3.53 [1.82–6.84], p < 0.001), and OS (HR = 5.45 [1.77–16.84], p = 0.003) in the standard‐dose group, but not in the intermediate‐dose group. CD19(+) represented the only independent factor predicting lower CIR both in the standard‐dose group (HR = 0.32 [0.10–1.00], p = 0.050) and in the intermediate‐dose group (HR = 0.11 [0.03–0.40], p = 0.001). When combined, KIT(+) plus CD19(−) conferred the most increased relapse risk (3‐year CIR 60%; SE 0.12). Specific KIT‐D816, instead of general KITmut, may be incorporated in prognostication model for t(8;21) AML. Combination of CD19 with KIT provides a more definite risk stratification profile for t(8;21) AML.
Mechanistic Insights for Acid‐catalyzed Rearrangement of Quinoxalin‐2‐one with Diamine and Enamine
Authors: Qu Zheng‐Wang , Zhu Hui , Zhukova Nataliya A. , Katsyuba Sergey A. , Mamedov Vakhid A. , Grimme Stefan 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBenzimidazoles and benzimidazolones can be efficiently synthesized via acid‐catalyzed rearrangements of 3‐aroylquinoxalin‐2‐ones with various nucleophiles. The detailed mechanisms of typical rearrangements of 3‐benzoylquinoxalin‐2‐one (1 Q) with 1,2‐benzendiamine (1 a, Type I) and with methyl 3‐aminocrotonate (1 b, Type II) in acetic acid solution are explored by extensive DFT calculations. Acetic acid acts as proton source and efficient proton shuttle during the catalysis. The former rearrangement is initiated by site‐selective N⋅⋅⋅C condensation at protonated benzoyl site of 1 Q, while the latter is initiated by two competing C⋅⋅⋅C nucleophilic additions at protonated imine and benzoyl sites of 1 Q that eventually leads to two isomeric products. Both rearrangements proceed via intramolecular SN(ANRORC) mechanism (sequential Addition of Nucleophile, Ring‐Opening and Ring‐Closing) involving spiro‐quinoxalinone intermediates, but with fundamentally different RORC steps via ring‐opening anilide cation and isocyanate cation species, respectively. A simple energetic rule is suggested to determine the type of rearrangement by counting the conjugated π‐electrons within the spiro‐forming ring that may stabilize the ring‐opening anilide cation species, which may enable further rational design of novel spiro‐quinoxalinone based rearrangements.
Time‐resolved circularly polarized luminescence of Eu3+‐based systems
Authors: Hananel Uri , Schwartz Gal , Paiss Guy , Arrico Lorenzo , Zinna Francesco , Di Bari Lorenzo , Cheshnovsky Ori , Markovich Gil 
Published: December 2020

AbstractChiral Eu3+‐based systems are frequently studied via circularly polarized luminescence spectroscopy. The emission lifetimes of each circular polarization, however, are virtually always ignored, because in a homogeneous sample of emitters, there should be no difference between the two. However, we show that in less robust Eu3+ complex structures, as in the chiral complex Eu (facam)3, a difference in the lifetimes of the two circularly polarized emission components arises due to heterogeneity of the complexes. In this case, each species within the sample could have different degrees of circularly polarized luminescence and decay rates at certain emission lines. The superposition of the emission components of the various chiral species leads to an overall difference in decay rate between the two circular polarizations. Such a difference is also shown for Eu3+‐doped chiral TbPO4·D2O nanocrystals. We believe that this kind of measurement could be a unique tool for determining the homogeneity of a lanthanide‐based chiral system, where other methods might fail in this task.
Electrodeposited Trimetallic NiFeW Hydroxide Electrocatalysts for Efficient Water Oxidation
Authors: Rajendiran Rajmohan , Chinnadurai Deviprasath , Chen Kai , Selvaraj Aravindha Raja , Prabakar Kandasamy , Li Oi Lun 
Published: December 2020

AbstractTungsten‐doped Ni−Fe hydroxides fabricated on a three‐dimensional nickel foam through cathodic electrodeposition are proposed as effective oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts for alkaline water oxidation. Incorporating an adequate amount of W into Ni−Fe hydroxides modulates the electronic structure by changing the local environment of Ni and Fe and create oxygen vacancies, resulting in abundant active sites for the OER. The optimized electrocatalyst, with a substantial number of catalytic sites, is found to outperform the well‐established 20 wt% Ir/C electrocatalyst. The catalyst only requires small overpotentials of 224 mV and 251 mV to generate current densities of 10 mA cm−2 and 50 mA cm−2, respectively, at an extremely low Tafel slope. Surface study after long‐term chronopotentiometry (ca. 30 h) reveals that the tungsten dopant undergoes reduction to stabilize the Ni and Fe active sites for predominant water oxidation. This research provides new insight to apply optimum amounts of tungsten doping to enable more significant electronic coupling within Ni−Fe for the chemisorption of hydroxy and oxygen intermediates and greatly improved OER activity.
PEM Electrolysis‐Assisted Catalysis Combined with Photocatalytic Oxidation towards Complete Abatement of Nitrogen‐Containing Contaminants in Water
Authors: Ampurdanés Jordi , Bunea Sorin , Urakawa Atsushi 
Published: December 2020

AbstractElectrolysis‐assisted nitrate (NO3−) reduction is a promising approach for its conversion to harmless N2 from waste, ground, and drinking water due to the possible process simplicity by in‐situ generation of H2/H/H+ by water electrolysis and to the flexibility given by tunable redox potential of electrodes. This work explores the use of a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) electrochemical cell for electrolysis‐assisted nitrate reduction using SnO2‐supported metals as the active cathode catalysts. Effects of operation modes and catalyst materials on nitrate conversion and product selectivity were studied. The major challenge of product selectivity, namely complete suppression of nitrite (NO2−) and ammonium (NH4+) ion formation, was tackled by combining with simultaneous photocatalytic oxidation to drive the overall reaction towards N2 formation.
Studying phenological phenomena in subarctic biomes with international school pupils as citizen scientists
Authors: Klütsch Cornelya F. C. , Aspholm Paul Eric , Polikarpova Natalia , Veisblium Olga , Bjørn Tor‐Arne , Wikan Anne , Gonzalez Victoria , Hagen Snorre B. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractCitizen science can facilitate in‐depth learning for pupils and students, contribute to scientific research, and permit civic participation. Here, we describe the development of the transnational school‐based citizen science project Phenology of the North Calotte. Its primary goal is to introduce pupils (age 12–15; grades 7–10) in northern Norway, Russia, and Finland to the local and global challenges of climate change resulting in life cycle changes at different trophic and ecosystem levels in their backyards. Partnerships between regional scientists and staff from NIBIO Svanhovd, State nature reserves, national parks, and teachers and pupils from regional schools aim to engage pupils in project‐based learning. The project uses standardized protocols, translated into the different languages of participating schools. The phenological observations are centered around documenting clearly defined life cycle phases (e.g., first appearance of species, flowering, ripening, leaf yellowing, snow fall, and melt). The observations are collected either on paper and are subsequently submitted manually to an open‐source online database or submitted directly via a newly developed mobile app. In the long term, the database is anticipated to contribute to research studying changes in phenology at different trophic levels. In principle, guided school‐based citizen science projects have the potential to contribute to increased environmental awareness and education and thereby to transformative learning at the societal level while contributing to scientific progress of understudied biomes, like the northern taiga and (sub)arctic tundra. However, differences in school systems and funding insecurity for some schools have been major prohibiting factors for long‐term retention of pupils/schools in the program. Project‐based and multidisciplinary learning, although pedagogically desired, has been partially difficult to implement in participating schools, pointing to the need of structural changes in national school curricula and funding schemes as well as continuous offers for training and networking for teachers.
The challenges of documenting coevolution and niche construction: The example of domestic spaces
Authors: Stiner Mary C. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThis essay delves into some of the challenges of studying the coevolution of humans and domestic spaces. These constructed arenas center on food preparation, and as part of the heritable niche they can shift the opportunities for, and constraints on, social interaction and cooperation in evolutionary time. Domestic spaces are widely evidenced in the archeological record, but investigators have made little progress in demonstrating causal links between proposed feedback spirals and constructed spaces of any sort. Bridging fine‐scale and large‐scale processes in coevolutionary systems is a complex problem that must engage higher levels of generative evolutionary theory. Archaeology nonetheless stands to offer a great deal to larger research programs by documenting and analyzing the pathways of change based on site formation processes along with evidence from subsistence refuse and technology. Choice models remain valuable tools for investigating aspects of the fine‐scale feedback processes involved.