bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Meat Singeing Practices and Knowledge of Its Effects on Health and Environment among Butchers in Uyo, Nigeria
Authors: Ekanem Anyiekere Morgan , Ijezie Augustina Elochukwu , Udo Isaac Assam , Ekrikpo Udeme Ekpenyong , Idung Alphonsus Udo 
Published: September 2020

Aims: To determine the materials used in singeing meat, reasons for their use and knowledge of the health and environmental effects of using old tyres in meat singeing by butchers in Uyo, Nigeria.
Study Design: The study used a descriptive cross-sectional study design.
Place and Duration of Study: Uyo capital city territory, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria from August 1st to 30th, 2019.
Methodology: We recruited 42 butchers (all males; mean age 25+/-6 years) from an abattoir, 2 slaughter slabs and meat processing sites on 2 major streets in Uyo capital city territory. Data collection was done using interviewer administered questionnaires and interview guide. Data was analyzed with Stata statistical software version 10.0.
Results: The major singeing materials for goat hides were plastics 19 (45.2%) and old tyres 10 (23.8%) while firewood 13 (31.0%) was used for cattle hides. Reasons for preference of singeing materials were: old tyres burn fast 10 (100.0%), cheaper than firewood 10 (100.0%) and left no cracks on hides 10 (100.0%); Plastics were available 17 (89.5%), longer duration of flame 16 (84.2%) and the cheapest 15 (78.9%) compared to tyres and firewood while firewood was preferred because it burnt slowly. Twenty five butchers (59.5%) had poor knowledge of the effect of use of old tires in singeing on health and environment. Reported symptoms associated with singeing were cough 17 (56.7%), dizziness 16 (53.3%) and itchy eyes 14 (46.7%). Key informant interview revealed that number of animals singed, duration of flame and cost of singeing material were the major determinants of the type of singeing materials used.
Conclusion: Plastics, old tyres and firewood were mainly used by butchers in singeing hides. Poor level of knowledge of effects of use of old tires in singeing was seen. Capacity building of butchers and ban of use of these materials is recommended.
Influence of Toad Parotid Gland Secretion from Indian Toad (Bufo melanostictus) in Diabetic Rats: An Experimental Evidence of P-Glycoprotein Inhibition
Authors: Madugula Naveen Kumar , Neerati Prasad 
Published: September 2020

The study was conducted to improve the oral bioavailability of glyburide (GLY) with Indian Toad Parotid Gland Secretions (TPGS). P-glycoprotein is an efflux transporter cellular protein and effluxes xenobiotics and drugs to the outside of cells lead to decreased concentration of drugs at the target site. P-gp inhibitors essentially increase the levels and there is a need for new P-gp inhibitors to develop for the improvement of the oral bioavailability of P-gp substrate drugs because the existing inhibitors have serious side effects. This study was aimed to describe the P-gp inhibitory action from TPGS, Bufo melanostictus, in diabetic rats by using glyburide as p-gp substrate. Acute toxicity studies showed 300 mg/kg as toxic dose and 50 mg/kg was selected as study dose according to OECD 423. LC-HRMS study conducted to identify the new compounds. Apparent permeability (Papp) was estimated by non-everted sac method (In Vitro) with rat jejunum and ileum to confirm the P-gp inhibitory activity of TPGS by using fexofenadine (FEX) as P-gp substrate. In in-vivo protocol rats grouped into 4 groups (n=6), the first one is normal, second diabetic, third GLY 30 mg/kg, and fourth group GLY+ TPGS, 50 mg/kg for the single and multiple-dose treatment study. The spectrometric analysis revealed the new compounds, and TPGS Papp (X10-6 cm/s) in rat jejunum and ileum was significantly increased from 2.0±0.1 to 6.4±0.3 and 1.2±0.3 to 3.0±0.3 respectively. Blood glucose concentration in rats more than 250 mg/dl were considered as diabetic and in single, multiple-dose interaction studies (SDI, MDI) the concentrations decreased from 140.0±2.0 and 122.0±2.2 µg/dl respectively. The pharmacokinetic parameters like Cmax, Cl and in SDI, MDI and significant increase of C max and AUC t and decrease of Cl was observed. The above results conclude that TPGS had the potential P-gp inhibitory activity and improved the oral bioavailability of GLY significantly. Subsequent experimentation is warranted to chemically characterize the compounds from TPGS as potential new P-gp inhibitors.
Genuine Hybrids: Towards an Architecture with No Origin
Authors: Kolatan Ferda 
Published: September 2020

AbstractCo‐founder of SU11 Architecture + Design, and Associate Professor of Practice at the University of Pennsylvania, Ferda Kolatan postulates the idea that ‘authenticity’ with its assumed single point of origin is impossible in our contemporary culture, where all is a series of hybrid mixtures and variations, and the raw material of further architectural appropriation and adaption.
An Estranged Type: Old Techniques, Familiar Materials and Peculiar Outcomes
Authors: Ayata Kutan 
Published: September 2020

AbstractFounding partner of New York‐based Young & Ayata and tutor at the University of Pennsylvania Weitzman School of Design and Pratt Institute, Kutan Ayata describes DL 1310, a residential project in Mexico, the formal innovation of which was confined to a metre‐wide, concrete facade wrap due to the constricted nature of the site. It is the choreography of the wrap and its window apertures, and the fabrication techniques used in its making, that give the building its unique presence.
Disjunctive Continuity and the Aesthetics of the Seam
Authors: Rahim Ali , Jamelle Hina 
Published: September 2020

AbstractGuest‐Editors Ali Rahim and Hina Jamelle teach graduate Architecture at the University of Pennsylvania Weitzman School of Design and are the co‐founders of Contemporary Architectural Practice (CAP) based in New York and Shanghai. Here they lead us through a brief history of the pros and cons of the architectural digital project of the last 25 years, advocating a return to detailing and the careful juxtaposition of materials, collaboratively working with numerous manufacturers and contractors to create architectures of nested, multiscaled and multivalent seams.
Relieving Cost of Epidemic by Parrondo's Paradox: A COVID‐19 Case Study
Authors: Cheong Kang Hao , Wen Tao , Lai Joel Weijia 
Published: September 2020

AbstractCOVID‐19, also known as SARS‐CoV‐2, is a coronavirus that is highly pathogenic and virulent. It spreads very quickly through close contact, and so in response to growing numbers of cases, many countries have imposed lockdown measures to slow its spread around the globe. The purpose of a lockdown is to reduce reproduction, that is, the number of people each confirmed case infects. Lockdown measures have worked to varying extents but they come with a massive price. Nearly every individual, community, business, and economy has been affected. In this paper, switching strategies that take into account the total “cost” borne by a community in response to COVID‐19 are proposed. The proposed cost function takes into account the health and well‐being of the population, as well as the economic impact due to the lockdown. The model allows for a comparative study to investigate the effectiveness of various COVID‐19 suppression strategies. It reveals that both the strategy to implement a lockdown and the strategy to maintain an open community are individually losing in terms of the total “cost” per day. However, switching between these two strategies in a certain manner can paradoxically lead to a winning outcome—a phenomenon attributed to Parrondo's paradox.
Understanding and Optimizing Ultra‐Thin Coordination Polymer Derivatives with High Oxygen Evolution Performance
Authors: Zhao Yonggui , Wan Wenchao , Chen Yi , Erni Rolf , Triana Carlos A. , Li Jingguo , Mavrokefalos Christos K. , Zhou Ying , Patzke Greta R. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractEngineering low‐crystalline and ultra‐thin nanostructures into coordination polymer assemblies is a promising strategy to design efficient electrocatalysts for energy conversion and storage. However, the rational utilization of coordination polymers (CPs) or their derivatives as electrocatalysts has been hindered by a lack of insight into their underlying catalytic mechanisms. Herein, a convenient approach is presented where a series of Ni10‐xFex‐CPs (0 ≤ x ≤ 5) is first synthesized, followed by the introduction of abundant structural deficiencies using a facile reductive method (R‐Ni10‐xFex‐CPs). The representative low‐crystalline R‐Ni8Fe2‐CPs (R‐NiFe‐CPs) with a thickness of sub‐2 nm display promising oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance with a very low overpotential of 225 mV at 10 mA cm−2 and high long‐term durability over 120 h. Comprehensive investigations including X‐ray absorption spectroscopy, density functional theory, and mass diffusion theory reveal strong synergistic effects of structural deficiencies on the OER activity. A super‐Nernstian pH‐dependence of 85.15 mV pH−1 suggests that the catalytic OER mechanism of R‐NiFe‐CPs involved a decoupled proton‐electron transfer (PT/ET) pathway, leading to notably higher OER activity compared to the concerted coupled proton‐electron transfer pathway. New insights into the catalytic reaction mechanisms of CP‐related materials open up new approaches to expedite the design of efficient electrocatalysts.
Rainfed maize root morphology in response to plant population under no‐tillage
Authors: Haarhoff Stephanus J. , Lötze Elmi , Swanepoel Pieter A. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractMaize (Zea mays L.) plant population effects on aboveground growth is well recognized, but little is known regarding the effects on root morphology. Plant population effects on various root parameters were explored in situ under no‐tillage in a semi‐arid environment. A 2‐yr field trial was conducted using three plant population treatments (20,000; 30,000; and 40,000 plants ha−1) at 0.76 m row spacing. Digital images were collected at four soil depths in acrylic minirhizotron tubes using a CI‐600 In Situ Root Imager. Digital images were analyzed using the RootSnap! analysis software. In Season 1, plant population had no effect on volumetric root length density (RLDv) against the crop rows at the 0–60 cm depths. In Season 2, a lower RLDv (P < .05) was found at 30,000 plants ha−1 than 20,000 plants ha−1 at the 15–30 cm depth. A lower (P < .05) RLDv was found at 20,000 plants ha−1 compared to 30,000 plants ha−1 at 30–45 cm depth. Average root diameter was greater (P < .05) in Season 1 compared to Season 2 at all depths. Lateral root length against crop rows were 37 and 39% greater (P < .05) in Season 1 compared to Season 2 at 15–30 and 30–45 cm depths, respectively. Across treatments, yield was 7,001 and 4,940 kg ha−1 in Season 1 and 2, respectively. Yield increased by 351 kg ha−1 for each 0.2 cm cm−3 increase in RLDv against crop rows. Plant population effects on maize root morphology is reduced in dry seasons and is mainly affected by season and soil depth.
Ligand‐Free Iron‐Catalyzed Homo‐Coupling of Aryllithium Reagents
Authors: Wang Zhi‐Yong , Peng Xiao‐Shui , Wong Henry N. C. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe synthesis of symmetric biaryls via the iron‐catalyzed homo‐coupling of aryllithium reagents was developed under a mild condition, in the absence of ligand, with wide range of scope, and in good yields. Investigation on reaction concentration and practical utility of this environmentally friendly procedure also indicates a promising application outlook.
Cs+/Alcohol Promoted[4C+2C]Annulation: ASynthetic Strategy for Polysubstituted Phenols
Authors: Yang Xiaohui , Zheng Baihui , Wang Yanqing , Li Yifei , Liu Qun , Pan Ling 
Published: September 2020

AbstractA cesium ion/alcohol promoted [4C+2C]annulation with the easily available diacetyl ketene dithioacetals as 4 C components to give poly‐substituted phenols is reported. It is revealed for the first time that in the presence of cesium ion and alcohol under mild alkaline conditions, the acetyl methyl carbon of ketene dithioacetals can be utilized as a carbon nucleophile. This nucleophile can attack at a carbonyl carbon of a ketone to form a C−C bond to initiate a [4C+2C]annulations, which lead to a poly‐substituted phenol product via intramolecular cyclization followed by aromatization. This reaction provides a new and practical route to the construction of poly‐substituted phenols between the same (two diacetyl ketene dithioacetals) or different ketones (a diacetyl ketene dithioacetal and a ketone) under very mild reaction conditions.
Functional Connectivity Decreases with Metabolic Stress in Sickle Cell Disease
Authors: Fields Melanie E. , Mirro Amy E. , Guilliams Kristin P. , Binkley Michael M. , Gil Diaz Luisa , Tan Jessica , Fellah Slim , Eldeniz Cihat , Chen Yasheng , Ford Andria L. , Shimony Joshua S. , King Allison A. , An Hongyu , Smyser Christopher D. , Lee Jin‐Moo 
Published: September 2020

ObjectiveChildren with sickle cell disease (SCD) experience cognitive deficits even when unaffected by stroke. Using functional connectivity magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a potential biomarker of cognitive function, we tested our hypothesis that children with SCD would have decreased functional connectivity, and that children experiencing the greatest metabolic stress, indicated by elevated oxygen extraction fraction, would have the lowest connectivity.MethodsWe prospectively obtained brain MRIs and cognitive testing in healthy controls and children with SCD.ResultsWe analyzed data from 60 participants (20 controls and 40 with sickle cell disease). There was no difference in global cognition or cognitive subdomains between cohorts. However, we found decreased functional connectivity within the sensory‐motor, lateral sensory‐motor, auditory, salience, and subcortical networks in participants with SCD compared with controls. Further, as white matter oxygen extraction fraction increased, connectivity within the visual (p = 0.008, parameter estimate = −0.760 [95% CI = −1.297, −0.224]), default mode (p = 0.012, parameter estimate = −0.417 [95% CI = −0.731, −0.104]), and cingulo‐opercular (p = 0.009, parameter estimate = −0.883 [95% CI = −1.517, −0.250]) networks decreased.InterpretationWe conclude that there is diminished functional connectivity within these anatomically contiguous networks in children with SCD compared with controls, even when differences are not seen with cognitive testing. Increased white matter oxygen extraction fraction was associated with decreased connectivity in select networks. These data suggest that elevated oxygen extraction fraction and disrupted functional connectivity are potentially presymptomatic neuroimaging biomarkers for cognitive decline in SCD. ANN NEUROL 2020;88:995–1008
Extension‐dominated improved dispersive mixing in single‐screw extrusion. Part 1: Computational and experimental validation
Authors: Pandey Vivek , Maia João M. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractExtensional mixing elements (EMEs) were previously developed for twin‐screw extruders (TSEs) to incorporate extensional flows through stationary single‐plane or double‐plane hyperbolic convergence–divergence channels. In Part 1 of this work, the EME concept is extended to single‐screw extruders (SSEs), which are known for their good pumping characteristics but limited dispersive mixing capability, to enhance the latter. Flow simulations are performed to optimize the EME design for SSE. Experimental validations are performed on immiscible polymer blends (varying viscosity ratio) and nanocomposites. Morphological results show tremendous improvement in mixing capability of SSE when equipped with EME without significant throughput and pressure drop penalties. Rheological and crystallinity studies are observed to be in line with the morphological analysis. Morphological and mechanical results are benchmarked with TSE operations in Part 2 of this work.
Optimization of Alcohol Dehydrogenase for Industrial Scale Oxidation of Lactols
Authors: Bartsch Sebastian , Brummund Jan , Köpke Sabrina , Straatman Harrie , Vogel Andreas , Schürmann Martin 
Published: September 2020

AbstractAlcohol dehydrogenases (ADH) are widely used to enantioselectively reduce ketones to chiral alcohols, but their application in industrial scale oxidations is rare. Reasons are the need for an NAD(P)+ cofactor regeneration system, often low performance in oxidative reactions and the limited substrate scope of ADHs. ADHA from Candida magnoliae DSMZ 70638 is identified to efficiently catalyze the regio‐selective hydroxy‐lactone oxidations to hydroxy‐lactones. Hydroxy‐lactones are common intermediates in industrial processes to cholesterol lowering (va)statin drugs. A biocatalytic aliphatic hydroxy‐lactone oxidation process is developed using pure oxygen as oxidant reaching volumetric productivities of up to 12 g L−1 h−1, product concentrations of almost 50 g L−1 and 95% reaction yield. For co‐factor recycling a previously engineered, water‐forming NAD(P)H‐oxidase from Streptococcus mutans is used. The process is scaled up to industrial pilot plant scale and it could be demonstrated that ADH catalyzed oxidations can be developed to efficient and safe processes. However, the ADHA wild‐type enzyme is not productive enough in chlorolactol oxidation. Therefore, enzyme engineering and multi‐parameter screening is successfully applied to optimize the enzyme for the target reaction. The optimized ADHA variant shows a 17‐fold higher oxidative activity, a 26°C increased stability and is applied to develop an efficient chlorolactol oxidation process.
Does financial development influence fertility rate in South Asian economies? An empirical insight
Authors: Sethi Narayan , Jena Nihar Ranjan , Loganathan Nanthakumar 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate the effect of financial development on fertility rate along with other major indicators in select South Asian economies over the period 1990–2016. The study uses various statistical techniques such as Johansen–Fisher panel co‐integration approaches are employed to examine the long‐run relationship among the variables and for statistically quantile regression is employed. The study finds that the variables under consideration are found to be cointegrated, that is, they are found to be having a long‐term relationship. By using three different measures of financial sector development, it is also observed that financial sector development has invariably led to a declining fertility rate in the south Asian region during the study period.
Staging of T2 and T3 nasopharyngeal carcinoma: Proposed modifications for improving the current AJCC staging system
Authors: Cui Chunyan , Li Haojiang , Ma Huali , Dong Annan , Xie Fei , Liang Shaobo , Li Li , Zhou Jian , Xie Chuanbo , Yan Yue , Liu Lizhi 
Published: September 2020

AbstractObjectivesWe aimed to reconstitute T2 and T3 stage classification in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cases and verify its utility in clinical settings.Materials and MethodsWe enrolled 792 NPC patients. Cox proportional hazards model was used to compare the effect sizes (hazard ratio [HR]) of the cranial structure invasion on survival and select the structures for up‐staging or downstaging T2 and T3 NPC. The samples were reclassified and the survival curves for T2 and T3 stages were analyzed. The proposed new staging system was validated on an external sample (n = 433).ResultsThirteen cranial structures were examined. American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) T3 stage patients with the invasion of the base of the sphenoid (HR = 2.58, 95% CI = 1.16‐5.77) or base of the pterygoid (HR = 2.00, 95% CI = 0.84‐4.77) had significantly lower hazard ratios than T2 stage patients with the invasion of soft tissues in the bilateral parapharyngeal space (HR = 5.26, 95% CI = 2.02‐13.68) and single/bilateral carotid sheath (HR = 7.78, 95% CI = 3.06‐19.76). T3 stage with the invasion of the above‐mentioned bones was reclassified as T2, and T2 stage with the invasion of the above‐mentioned soft‐tissue structures was reclassified as T3. Survival analysis showed a significant difference between the reclassified T2 and T3 stages (P < 0.001). The results were replicated in the validation samples.ConclusionThe proposed staging system for defining T2 and T3 stage NPC appears to be superior to the AJCC 8th edition. It could improve prognosis and optimize the treatment selection.
Race modifies survival benefit of guideline‐based treatment: Implications for reducing disparities in muscle invasive bladder cancer
Authors: Washington Samuel L. , Gregorich Steven E. , Meng Maxwell V. , Suskind Anne M. , Porten Sima P. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundBlack individuals with muscle‐invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) experienced 21% lower odds of guideline‐based treatment (GBT) and differences in treatment explain 35% of observed Black‐White differences in survival. Yet little is known of how interactions between race/ethnicity and receipt of GBT drive within‐ and between‐race survival differences.MethodsBlack, White, and Latino individuals diagnosed with nonmetastatic, locally advanced MIBC from 2004 to 2013 within the National Cancer Database were included. Guideline‐based treatment was defined as the receipt including one or more of the following treatment modalities: radical cystectomy (RC), neoadjuvant chemotherapy with RC, RC with adjuvant chemotherapy, and/or chemoradiation based on American Urological Association guidelines. Cox proportional hazards model of mortality estimated effects of GBT status, race/ethnicity, and the GBT‐by‐race/ethnicity interaction, adjusting for covariates.ResultsOf the 54 910 MIBC individuals with 125 821 person‐years of posttreatment observation (max = 11 years), 6.9% were Black, and 3.0% were Latino. Overall, 51.4%, 45.3%, and 48.5% of White, Black, and Latino individuals received GBT. Latino individuals had lower hazard of death compared to Black (HR 0.81, 95% CI 0.75‐0.87) and White individuals (HR 0.92, 95% 0.86‐0.98). With GBT, Latino and White individuals had similar outcomes (HR = 1.00, 95% 0.91‐1.10) and both fared better than Black individuals (HR = 0.88, 95% 0.79‐0.99 and HR = 0.88, 95% 0.83‐0.94, respectively). Without GBT, Latino individuals fared better than White (HR = 0.85, 95% 0.77‐0.93) and Black individuals (HR = 0.74, 95% 0.67‐0.82) while White individuals fared better than Black individuals (HR = 0.87, 95% 0.83‐0.92). Black individuals with GBT fared worse than Latinos without GBT (HR = 1.02, 95% 0.92‐1.14), although not statistically significant.ConclusionLow GBT levels demonstrated an “under‐allocation” of GBT to those who needed it most—Black individuals. Interventions to improve GBT allocation may mitigate race‐based survival differences observed in MIBC.