bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Study of the capacity of poly(N‐vinylcarbazole) derivatives to form honeycomb‐like patterns
Authors: Bekkar Fadila , Bettahar Faiza , Meghabar Rachid , Hamadouche Mohammed , Moreno‐Benitez Isabel , Vilas‐Vilela José Luis , Ruiz‐Rubio Leire 
Published: May 2021

AbstractPoly(N‐vinylcarbazole), two dihalogenated derivatives, and nanocellulose/poly(N‐vinylcarbazole) nanocomposite thin films have been fabricated with micrometric pore topography. This patterned structure has been developed by using breath figure method, which is an easy and cost‐effective method to obtain honeycomb‐like arrays. In addition, the effect of the dihalogenated substitutions and the presence of nanocellulose fillers in the topography and conformational entropy were evaluated. The conformational entropy of each sample was calculated by using Voronoi tessellation. It is important to notice that highly regular patterns have been obtained from this photoconductive polymer, since the conductivity of this kind of material is proportional to the absorbed light, this honeycomb‐like topography could improve the light capture and the efficiency of photoelectric conversion, increasing the potential applicability of these materials.
Dual epigallocatechin gallate and camptothecin loaded electrospun meshes for synergy combination chemotherapy of colon cancer
Authors: Duan Lian , Yang Xiao , Ma Ya , Wu Jiaxue , Zou Yushan , Xiao Bo , Yi Shixiong 
Published: May 2021

AbstractCombination chemotherapy based on electrospun fibrous was a promising strategy to applied synergy effects in treatment for colon cancer. Herein, Lactic acid/glycolic acid (PLGA) meshes with different ratios of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and camptothecin (CPT) were manufactured. Results of X‐ray diffraction (XRD) revealed both EGCG and CPT were amorphous in meshes. Drug release experiments indicated that EGCG and CPT could be released sustainably while the dual drug‐loaded meshes had a higher release rate than single drug‐loaded meshes. Importantly, these meshes displayed obvious cytotoxicity against CT‐26 cells in anti‐colon cancer experiments, and the combination index values of all dual drug‐loaded meshes were around 0.5, suggesting strong synergy effect of EGCG and CPT. These results showed dual EGCG and CPT loaded meshes had application potential in effective synergistic therapy for colon cancer.
Traffic flow and emissions improvement via Vehicle‐to‐vehicle and vehicle‐to‐infrastructure communication for an intelligent intersection
Authors: Namazi Hosna , Taghavipour Amir 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAs transportation becomes more demanding in modern communities, the challenges involved such as congestion and emissions grow more concerns. Intelligent transportation system (ITS) is one of the most recognizable solution to resolve the problem. One of the components of an ITS is intelligent intersections that use vehicle‐to‐vehicle (V2V) and vehicle‐to‐infrastructure (V2I) communications to reduce the waiting time and consequently the idling time and emission of the vehicles. To implement different control strategies to reach the aforementioned objectives, a validated platform is required to simulate the real‐world traffic flow. To this end, Simulation of Urban Mobility (SUMO) software along with real data are utilized for developing two control strategies: Single Vehicle Speed Advisory Algorithm (SVSAA) and Platoon Speed Advisory Algorithm (PSAA). The results of real‐world simulation demonstrate that the proposed schemes are able to reduce the waiting time, fuel consumption, and emissions significantly compared with the baseline strategy. Moreover, it turns out that PSAA scheme implementation via model predictive controller may totally eliminate the congestion at the intersection.
A moment matching method for option pricing under stochastic interest rates
Authors: Antonelli Fabio , Ramponi Alessandro , Scarlatti Sergio 
Published: May 2021

SummaryIn this paper, we present a new and straightforward approximation methodology for pricing a call option in a Black and Scholes market, characterized by stochastic interest rates. The method relies on a Gaussian moment matching technique applied to a conditional Black and Scholes formula, used to disentangle the distributional complexity of the underlying price process. The problem then reduces to exploiting the Gaussian density and the expression of the bond price induced by the interest rate. To check its accuracy and computational time, we implement it for a CIR interest rate model correlated with the underlying, using Monte Carlo simulations as a benchmark. The method performance turns out to be quite remarkable, even when compared with similar results obtained by the affine approximation technique presented in Grzelak and Oosterlee, and by the expansion formula introduced in Kim and Kunimoto. In the last section, we apply the method also to the pricing of Forward‐Starting options, to the evaluation of the credit spreads in the Merton structural approach to credit risk, and we outline a possible application to a stochastic volatility model.
Production of extracellular enzymes by a termite‐nest‐related Bacillus siamensisYC‐9 in solid‐state fermentation on agricultural by‐products
Authors: Wang Junyong , Zhou Lingfeng , Yin Caiping , Gui Lin , Bao Liyun , Wu Fei , Zhang Yunhua , Zhang Yinglao 
Published: May 2021

AbstractA Bacillus siamensis YC‐9 strain was isolated from termite nest. The strain was used to produce several important industrial enzymes by utilizing different agricultural by‐products with solid‐state fermentation (SSF). It was observed that most of the substrates that were studied were strongly positively affected by alkaline treatment for the production of enzymes. The highest yields for protease, α‐amylase, and cellulase were 82.87, 42.81, and 1.54 IU g−1, achieved on alkaline‐treated corn pericarp, rice bran, and wheat bran respectively. However, untreated soybean meal was the best choice for the secretion of pectinases (66.65 IU g−1). In general, ultrasonic pretreatment was more effective than microwave treatment and it promoted the production of proteases on soybean meal, sunflower meal, and wheat bran. The findings of the present study will provide some theoretical basis for enzyme production in the future. © 2021 Society of Industrial Chemistry and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Woodchip impregnation with weak white liquor and its effect in mitigating operational costs and environmental impacts in Kraft pulp mills
Authors: Johakimu Jonas K. , Sithole Bruce B. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractWoodchip impregnation plays a vital role in enhancing Kraft pulp mill's pulping efficiency. Traditionally, Kraft pulp mills uses the mill's self‐generated liquor such as black liquor, green liquor, and white liquor. However, all these liquors have operational and / or pulping efficiency limitations. In this study, the feasibility of using weak white liquor as an alternative source of mill's self‐generated alkaline liquor for impregnating woodchips was investigated. South African Eucalyptus grandis woodchips were impregnated with and without weak white liquor. Under optimal conditions, the results showed that woodchips impregnated with weak white liquor responded much faster than the non‐impregnated ones (control). To maintain the same pulp and paper properties as the control pulp samples, a 20% reduction in the amount of cooking liquor used is required. When the experimental data were used to ascertain the economic and environmental benefits at an industrial mill scale, the savings in steam demand in the digester plant were estimated to be 23%. Energy savings in the lime kiln would be about 124 000 GJ per year. The reduction in carbon dioxide emissions in the calcination process was about 20%. Kraft pulp mills can use the information acquired in this study to determine whether this concept can be implemented in their commercial process. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Rapid and low‐cost sampling for detection of airborne SARS‐CoV‐2 in dehumidifier condensate
Authors: Moitra Parikshit , Alafeef Maha , Dighe Ketan , Ray Priyanka , Chang James , Thole Aaron , Punshon‐Smith Benjamin , Tolosa Michael , Ramamurthy Sai Sathish , Ge Xudong , Frey Douglas D. , Pan Dipanjan , Rao Govind 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAirborne spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) by infectious aerosol is all but certain. However, easily implemented approaches to assess the actual environmental threat are currently unavailable. We present a simple approach with the potential to rapidly provide information about the prevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) in the atmosphere at any location. We used a portable dehumidifier as a readily available and affordable tool to collect airborne virus in the condensate. The dehumidifiers were deployed in selected locations of a hospital ward with patients reporting flu‐like symptoms which could possibly be due to COVID‐19 over three separate periods of one week. Samples were analyzed frequently for both virus envelope protein and SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA. In several samples across separate deployments, condensate from dehumidifiers tested positive for the presence of SARS‐CoV‐2 antigens as confirmed using two independent assays. RNA was detected, but not attributable to SARS‐CoV‐2. We verified the ability of the dehumidifier to rapidly collect aerosolized sodium chloride. Our results point to a facile pool testing method to sample air in any location in the world and assess the presence and concentration of an infectious agent to obtain quantitative risk assessment of exposure, designate zones as “hot spots” and minimize the need for individual testing which may often be time consuming, expensive, and laborious.
Blood lead levels and lung cancer mortality: An updated analysis of NHANES II and III
Authors: Rhee Jongeun , Graubard Barry I. , Purdue Mark P. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractPrevious analyses within the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) II and III cycles suggested an association between blood lead levels (BLLs) and lung cancer mortality, although the evidence was limited by small case numbers. To clarify this relationship, we conducted updated analyses of 4,182 and 15,629 participants in NHANES II and III, respectively, (extending follow‐up 20 and 8 years) aged ≥20 with BLL measurements and mortality follow‐up through 2014. We fit multivariable Cox models to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) relating BLLs and lung cancer with adjustment for smoking and other factors. We did not observe an overall association between BLLs and lung cancer after adjustment for smoking (both surveys) and serum cotinine and environmental tobacco smoke exposure (NHANES III), although suggestive associations were observed among women (NHANES II: HR 2.7, 95% CI 0.7, 10.0 for ≥20.0 µg/dl vs. <10.0 µg/dl, Ptrend = 0.07; NHANES III: HR 11.2, 95% CI 2.1, 59.4 for ≥10.0 µg/dl vs. <2.5 µg/dl, Ptrend = 0.04). After stratifying on smoking status, an association with elevated BLLs was observed in NHANES II only among former smokers (HR 3.2, 95% CI 1.3, 8.0 for ≥15 vs. <15 µg/dl) and in NHANES III only among current smokers (HR 1.7, 95% CI 1.1, 2.8 for ≥5 vs. <5 µg/dl).In summary, we found elevated BLLs to be associated with lung cancer mortality among women in both NHANES II and III. Given the absence of an association among non‐smokers, we cannot rule out residual confounding as an explanation for our findings.
Utility of liquid‐based cytology on residual needle rinses collected from core needle biopsy for lung nodule diagnosis
Authors: Lan Zhihua , Zhang Xiaoli , Ma Xin , Hu Yiyan , Zhang Jing , Yang Fang 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundCore needle biopsy (CNB) has become the most common tissue sampling modality for pathological diagnosis of peripheral lung nodules. However, approximately 10% of pulmonary CNB specimens cannot be unambiguously diagnosed, even with auxiliary techniques. This retrospective study investigated the diagnostic value of liquid‐based cytology on residual pulmonary CNB material collected from needle rinses.MethodsComputed tomography‐guided pulmonary CNB specimens and relevant cytology of CNB needle rinses (CNR) from July 2017 to June 2020 were reviewed. A total of 406 patients, each of whom underwent a CNB procedure, were included in the study.ResultsOf the 406 cases, a more serious diagnosis was rendered by CNR in 6.4% (n = 26) of cases. Furthermore, among these 26 cases, 13 malignancies were confirmed only from CNR. Of the remaining 13 patients with uncertain lesions identified from CNR, six were diagnosed with definite benign lesions from tissue samples, five were found to harbor malignant neoplasms through repeated CNB or follow‐up examination, and two had tuberculosis. The sensitivity (320/332, 96.4%) of combined CNR/CNB (both CNR and CNB) in distinguishing malignancies from benign lesions was higher than that of CNB alone (307/332, 92.5%). A total of 320 malignant neoplasms included 198 cases of primary lung adenocarcinoma and 71 cases of primary lung squamous cell carcinoma.ConclusionsCNR with higher nuclear and cytoplasmic resolution than CNB exhibited a high diagnostic efficacy for differentiating malignant from benign lesions in the lung. Moreover, combined CNR/CNB achieved optimal results in reducing the false‐negative rate and the subtyping of non‐small cell lung cancer.
Development and validation of MRI‐based deep learning models for prediction of microsatellite instability in rectal cancer
Authors: Zhang Wei , Yin Hongkun , Huang Zixing , Zhao Jian , Zheng Haoyu , He Du , Li Mou , Tan Weixiong , Tian Song , Song Bin 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundMicrosatellite instability (MSI) predetermines responses to adjuvant 5‐fluorouracil and immunotherapy in rectal cancer and serves as a prognostic biomarker for clinical outcomes. Our objective was to develop and validate a deep learning model that could preoperatively predict the MSI status of rectal cancer based on magnetic resonance images.MethodsThis single‐center retrospective study included 491 rectal cancer patients with pathologically proven microsatellite status. Patients were randomly divided into the training/validation cohort (n = 395) and the testing cohort (n = 96). A clinical model using logistic regression was constructed to discriminate MSI status using only clinical factors. Based on a modified MobileNetV2 architecture, deep learning models were tested for the predictive ability of MSI status from magnetic resonance images, with or without integrating clinical factors.ResultsThe clinical model correctly classified 37.5% of MSI status in the testing cohort, with an AUC value of 0.573 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.468 ~ 0.674). The pure imaging‐based model and the combined model correctly classified 75.0% and 85.4% of MSI status in the testing cohort, with AUC values of 0.820 (95% CI, 0.718 ~ 0.884) and 0.868 (95% CI, 0.784 ~ 0.929), respectively. Both deep learning models performed better than the clinical model (p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the deep learning models with or without integrating clinical factors.ConclusionsDeep learning based on high‐resolution T2‐weighted magnetic resonance images showed a good predictive performance for MSI status in rectal cancer patients. The proposed model may help to identify patients who would benefit from chemotherapy or immunotherapy and determine individualized therapeutic strategies for these patients.
Experimental design optimization of simultaneous enantiomeric separation of atenolol and chlorthalidone binary mixture by high‐performance liquid chromatography using polysaccharide‐based stationary phases
Authors: Hassan Rasha M. , Saleh Ola A. , El‐Azzouny Aida A. , Aboul‐Enein Hassan Y. , Fouad Marwa A. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractIn this work, enantiomeric separation of a drug combination of two chiral drugs, namely, atenolol and chlorthalidone, is described. Prior investigation of the effect of different variables on the resolution of the enantiomers' peaks and the total run time represented by the retention time of the last eluted peak was conducted using face‐centered composite design. Twenty‐two experiments were carried out by varying the chiral stationary phase type as a categorical factor and mobile phase composition including the percentage of ethanol and percentage of diethylamine as continuous factors. According to the optimization process, a mobile phase consisting of hexane:ethanol:DEA:TFA (60:40:0.2:0.1%, v/v/v/v) pumped at flow rate 1 ml min−1 onto Lux‐Cellulose 2 stationary phase was applied for the chiral separation and quantification of the drug combination at 230 nm. Application of the developed method to the pharmaceutical formulation of this combination was successfully performed, and satisfactory percentage of recoveries was obtained. The method was also fully validated following International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guidelines. This method could be of high value and relevance for application in quality control laboratories.
Life Cycle Analysis: Assessment of Technologies for Droplet Separation – A Case Study
Authors: Paschetag Mandy , Paschetag André , Merkel Florian , Mehringer Christian , Scholl Stephan 
Published: May 2021

AbstractFor the assessment of separation technologies from an ecological and economic perspective, a case study was performed to investigate the influence of entrainment on energy and resource demand of a single apparatus and on a single production process. Taking the example of the Rectisol process, the influence of droplet entrainment on individual separation equipment as well as on the process as a whole was identified via flowsheet simulation. Based on the calculated mass and energy balances, an LCA and LCC approach was used for the quantification of the entrainment influence.
Stereoselective Ring‐Opening Polymerization of rac‐Lactide Catalyzed by Squaramide Derived Organocatalysts at Room Temperature†
Authors: Jiang Xiao , Zhao Na , Li Zhibo 
Published: May 2021

Main observation and conclusionSubstantial progresses have been made toward the development of metal‐free catalysts for stereoselective ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of rac‐lactide. Yet the discovery of organic catalysts effective at ambient temperature remains a major challenge. Here, the bifunctional H‐bonding catalyst SQ‐1 containing a basic tertiary amine and squaramide motif proved to be good candidate for the stereoselective ROP of rac‐lactide at room temperature, yielding stereoregular polylactide with controlled molecular weights (up to 21.1 kg/mol) and high tacticity (PiESC up to 0.88). Furthermore, binary H‐bonding catalytic system consisting of squaramides (SQ‐2 to SQ‐6) and 1,8‐diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec‐7‐ene (DBU) could efficiently promote the ROP of rac‐lactide at room temperature within short reaction time. Among them, the most bulky squaramide SQ‐2 exhibited the best steroselectivity towards the ROP of rac‐lactide without transesterification side reactions during the polymerization process. The resulting polylactides were proved to have controlled molecular weights as high as 22.2 kg/mol and narrow distributions (1.10—1.24).
A novel study on SARS‐COV‐2 virus associated bradycardia as a predictor of mortality‐retrospective multicenter analysis
Authors: Kumar Sabina , Arcuri Christina , Chaudhuri Sumanta , Gupta Rahul , Aseri Mahendra , Barve Pranav , Shah Shivang 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundSARS‐CoV2 has affected more than 73.8 million individuals. While SARS‐CoV2 is considered a predominantly respiratory virus, we report a trend of bradycardia among hospitalized patients, particularly in association with mortality.MethodologyThe multi‐center retrospective analysis consisted of 1053 COVID‐19 positive patients from March to August 2020. A trend of bradycardia was noted in the study population. Absolute bradycardia and profound bradycardia was defined as a sustained heart rate < 60 BPM and < 50 BPM, respectively, on two separate occasions, a minimum of 4 h apart during hospitalization. Each bradycardic event was confirmed by two physicians and exclusion criteria included: less than 18 years old, end of life bradycardia, left AMA, or taking AV Nodal blockers. Data was fetched using a SQL program through the EMR and data was analyzed using SPSS 27.0. A logistic regression was done to study the effect of bradycardia, age, gender, and BMI on mortality in the study group.Results24.9% patients had absolute bradycardia while 13.0% had profound bradycardia. Patients with absolute bradycardia had an odds ratio of 6.59 (95% CI [2.83–15.36]) for mortality compared with individuals with a normal HR response. The logistic regression model explained 19.6% (Nagelkerke R2) of variance in the mortality, correctly classified 88.6% of cases, and was statistically significant X2 (5)=47.10, p < .001. For each year of age > 18, the odds of dying increased 1.048 times (95% CI [1.25–5.27]).ConclusionThe incidence of absolute bradycardia was found in 24.9% of the study cohort and these individuals were found to have a significant increase in mortality.
Specific neuronal subpopulations in the rat basolateral amygdala express high levels of nonphosphorylated neurofilaments
Authors: McDonald Alexander Joseph , Mascagni Franco 
Published: May 2021

AbstractCortical pyramidal neurons (PNs) containing nonphosphorylated neurofilaments (NNFs) localized with the SMI‐32 monoclonal antibody have been shown to be especially vulnerable to degeneration in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The present investigation is the first to study the expression of SMI‐32+ NNFs in neurons of the basolateral nuclear complex of the amygdala (BNC), which contains cortex‐like PNs and nonpyramidal neurons (NPNs). We observed that PNs in the rat basolateral nucleus (BL), but not in the lateral (LAT) or basomedial (BM) nuclei, have significant levels of SMI‐32‐ir in their somata with antibody diluents that did not contain Triton X‐100, but staining in these cells was greatly attenuated when the antibody diluent contained 0.3% Triton. Using Triton‐containing diluents, we found that all SMI‐32+ neurons in all three of the BNC nuclei were NPNs. Using a dual‐labeling immunoperoxidase technique, we demonstrated that most of these SMI‐32+ NPNs were parvalbumin‐positive (PV+) or somatostatin‐positive NPNs but not vasoactive intestinal peptide‐positive or neuropeptide Y‐positive NPNs. Using a technique that combines retrograde tracing with SMI‐32 immunohistochemistry using intermediate levels of Triton in the diluent, we found that all BNC neurons projecting to the mediodorsal thalamic nucleus (MD) were large NPNs, and most were SMI‐32+. In contrast, BNC neurons projecting to the ventral striatum or cerebral cortex were PNs that expressed low levels of SMI‐32 immunoreactivity (SMI‐32‐ir) in the BL, and no SMI‐32‐ir in the LAT or BM. These data suggest that the main neuronal subpopulations in the BNC that degenerate in AD may be PV+ and MD‐projecting NPNs.