bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical predictors of gangrenous appendicitis: elevated total bilirubin level and computed tomography scan findings
Authors: Naya Itsuki , Adachi Kensuke , Takeuchi Koichi , Ariyama Yuno , Hosaka Akihiro , Imamura Kazuhiro , Morita Yasuhiro , Matsubara Shigeki , Lefor Alan Kawarai , Horie Hisanaga 
Published: April 2021

AimPatients with gangrenous appendicitis usually require emergency surgery. Preoperative diagnosis of gangrenous appendicitis is clinically important but not always straightforward. We undertook this study to identify preoperative predictors of gangrenous appendicitis.MethodsThis was a single‐center case–control study. We identified 162 patients who underwent appendectomy between September 2011 and August 2014 after the diagnosis of acute appendicitis was established. We identified laboratory parameters and computed tomography (CT) scan findings predictive of histologically or surgically diagnosed gangrenous appendicitis by univariable and multivariable analyses.ResultsOf 146 study patients, gangrenous appendicitis was confirmed in 102. Univariable analysis showed that two laboratory factors (C‐reactive protein []and total bilirubin [T‐Bil]) and three CT scan findings were significant predictors for gangrenous appendicitis. Multivariable analysis showed that T‐Bil and two CT scan findings (appendicolith and fat stranding around the appendix) were independent predictors. The combination of “T‐Bil ≥ 1.0 mg/dL or appendicolith” was able to predict gangrenous appendicitis with a sensitivity of 90.5%, positive predictive value of 80.4%, and accuracy of 77.8%. The combination of “T‐Bil ≥ 1.0 mg/dL or fat stranding around the appendix” was able to predict gangrenous appendicitis with a sensitivity of 98.9%, positive predictive value of 76.4%, and accuracy of 71.9%.ConclusionThese combinations of laboratory and CT scan findings could be valuable as predictors of gangrenous appendicitis.
Rapid synthesis of zeolite P from potassic rocks by gel‐like‐solid phase method
Authors: Yang Kai , Li Yun , Guo Hongfei , Liu Xiuwu , Chen Xueqing , Cao Jilin 
Published: April 2021

AbstractA facile, rapid, and energy‐saving gel‐like‐solid method was applied to prepare zeolites from natural minerals. Using potassic rocks (PRs) activated by the alkali fusion decomposition method together with silica‐alumina xerogel as silicon‐ and aluminum‐species, zeolite P has been successfully synthesized via gel‐like‐solid phase method. The effects of crystallization time (t), crystallization temperature (T), m (PRs)/m (xerogel) ratios, and n(H2O)/n (SiO2) ratios on the crystallinity and morphology of zeolite P were investigated. The optimal synthesis conditions were m (PRs)/m (xerogel) of 0.185, n(H2O)/n (SiO2) of 28.12, crystallization t of 3 h, and crystallization T of 140°C. The synthesized zeolite P featuring high crystallinity possessed spherical morphology aggregated by small grains and was applied in the ion exchange for Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions. The maximum Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions exchange capacities of zeolite P could reach 415 mgCaCO3·g−1 and 162 mgMgCO3·g−1, respectively. Compared with other published materials, the synthesized zeolite P exhibited satisfactory Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions exchange capacities. The above results demonstrated that the gel‐like‐solid phase method could shorten the crystallization t and enhance the crystallinity of zeolites synthesized from natural minerals and solid waste, showing a great potential in actual applications.
Synthesis and characterization of mesophase coke from medium–low‐temperature coal tar pitch modified by high‐pressure thermal polymerization
Authors: Lv Jun , Bai Haitao , Zhu Yaming , Hu Chaoshuai , Xu Yunliang , Lai Shiquan , Zhao Xuefei 
Published: April 2021

AbstractMedium–low‐temperature coal tar pitch (MLP) is a by‐product of semi‐coke fabrication with a high content of carbon. However, the small amount of aromatic organic compounds in MLP makes prevents its practical use as a feedstock for the production of high‐quality artificial carbon materials (such as needle coke) via direct thermal conversion. To understand the effects of autogenous pressure thermal polymerization (APTP) on the microstructure of mesophase coke, we performed APTP at different reaction temperatures to produce MLP, which was further utilized as a starting material for the synthesis of mesophase coke. The microstructure of mesophase coke was studied by optical microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Moreover, the micro‐strength of the mesophase coke was examined. We concluded that the APTP treatment of MLP before direct carbonization of a liquid is an excellent method for the production of high‐quality mesophase coke.
Developing and Verifying a Water Service Line Inventory
Authors: Duffy Daniel T. , Pickering William J. 
Published: April 2021

Key TakeawaysA complete and accurate water service line inventory goes beyond regulatory requirements when used in conjunction with a lead service line replacement program.Absent accurate historical records, it's likely several sources of information will be needed to complete a lead service line inventory.The inventory data must be maintained as a living document so they can be used to help respond if an exceedance occurs.
Improving Public Perceptions of Tap Water
Authors: Junker Matthew , Carpenter Adam T. 
Published: April 2021

Key TakeawaysA 2020 AWWA survey explored the US public's perceptions of drinking water, sampling a range of demographics to get a comprehensive picture.Overall confidence in tap water is positive, but the water sector must address some issues to increase public trust and understanding of water systems.Communication is a powerful tool. A water utility in Pennsylvania took cues from other utilities to strengthen its customer outreach channels.
Study of tobacco‐derived proteins in paper coatings
Authors: Gutierrez Joseph N. , Agate Sachin , Venditti Richard A. , Pal Lokendra 
Published: April 2021

AbstractReplacing synthetic polymers with renewable alternatives is a critical challenge for the packaging industry. This research investigated the use of leaf‐based proteins as a sustainable co‐binder in the coating formulations for paper‐based packaging and other applications. Protein isolates from tobacco leaf and alfalfa concentrates were characterized using the Pierce protein assay, Kjeldahl nitrogen, and gel electrophoresis. The proteins were tested as co‐binders in a typical latex‐based paper coating formulation. The rheology and water retention properties of the wet coating and the surface, optical, structural, and strength properties of coated papers were measured. The coating performance was affected by the purity, solubility, and molecular weight of the tobacco protein and exhibited a shear‐thinning behavior with lower water retention than soy protein. Analysis by scanning electron microscopy and time of flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy on the dried coating layer containing tobacco protein showed enhanced porosity (advantageous for package glueability) relative to the control latex coating. The tobacco protein offers adequate coverage and coating pigment distribution, indicating that this protein can be a suitable option in coatings for packaging applications.
Edge to edge repair using a MitraClip for severe tricuspid valve regurgitation after a Mustard operation
Authors: Iriart Xavier , Guérin Patrice , Jalal Zakaria , Thambo Jean‐Benoit 
Published: April 2021

AbstractA 48‐year‐old who underwent a Mustard operation in 1972 followed by a second cardiac intervention in 1996 for pulmonary venous baffle enlargement and residual baffle leak closure, complicated by recurrent atrial flutter, was admitted to our institution for severe systemic atrio‐ventricular valve regurgitation (SAVVR) associated with severely impaired systemic right ventricular (RV) function. After careful preoperative anatomic assessment including three‐dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (3DTEE) to define the clipping strategy and computed tomography to optimize the transvenous baffle puncture site, the intervention was performed under general anesthesia, fluoroscopic, and 3DTEE guidance. One XTR MitraClip was successfully implanted, achieving a significant reduction in regurgitation and immediate clinical improvement. The transbaffle puncture was closed using an 8 mm atrial septal defect (ASD) device without residual shunt or obstruction of the venous baffle. Post‐operative clinical evaluation showed immediate improvement in the NYHA functional class (from III to II), but the patient presented with recurrent flutter at 1 week after the procedure, which was successfully treated by catheter ablation with another transbaffle approach next to the ASD device. Clinical improvement was maintained at 1‐ and 6‐month follow‐up with significant reduction in SAVVR, reduced systemic RV volumes and improved RV ejection fraction. This case demonstrates the feasibility of percutaneous treatment of systemic SAVV in patients with systemic RV after atrial redirection.
Selectivity Switch in the Aerobic 1,2‐Propandiol Oxidation Catalyzed by Diamine‐Stabilized Palladium Nanoparticles
Authors: Oberhauser Werner , Evangelisti Claudio , Capozzoli Laura , Manca Gabriele , Casaletto Maria Pia , Vizza Francesco 
Published: April 2021

AbstractPalladium nanoparticles stabilized by a sterically demanding secondary diamine ligand have been synthesized by hydrogen reduction of a palladium acetate complex bearing the corresponding diimine ligand. The obtained nanoparticles were used to catalyze the aerobic oxidation of 1,2‐propandiol inn‐hexane, and after their heterogenization onto a high surface area carbon, in water. Inn‐hexane (2,4‐dimethyl‐1,3‐dioxolan‐2‐yl) methanol has been obtained as major product, whereas in water acetic acid with a selectivity of >85 % has been achieved. The selectivity switch observed was a clear induced by water. The robustness of diamine‐stabilized palladium nanoparticles under real aerobic oxidation conditions has been proved by recycling experiments, TEM measurements of the recovered catalysts and by comparison of its performance with that of palladium nanoparticles generated by the metal vapor synthesis technique and supported onto the same carbon in the absence of the stabilizing diamine ligand.
Tuning Aggregation Behavior of Polymer Donor viaMolecular‐Weight Control for Achieving 17.1% Efficiency Inverted Polymer Solar Cells
Authors: Liu Qi , Fang Jin , Wu Jingnan , Zhu Lei , Guo Xia , Liu Feng , Zhang Maojie 
Published: April 2021

Main observation and conclusionRecently, the polymer solar cells (PSCs) based on the PM6 and small molecular acceptor (SMA) Y6 have attracted considerable attention in this community for their outstanding photovoltaic performance. As well known, the molecular weight of polymer has dramatic impact on the blend morphology and photovoltaic performance in the polymer solar cells, especially for those polymers with temperature‐dependent aggregation (TDA) behavior. In this work, a series of PM6 polymers with different weight‐average molecular weights (Mw = 41, 67, 74, 84 and 114 kDa) were synthesized, and the effects of the Mw on the morphology and photovoltaic performance were systematically investigated. Notably, molecular weight induces dramatic influences on the aggregation behaviors of the polymers and their corresponding blend morphology, which were explored by the temperature‐dependent UV‐vis absorptions (TD‐Abs), grazing incidence wide‐angle X‐ray scattering (GIWAXS) and resonant soft X‐ray scattering (R‐SoXS) measurements. Increasing Mw promoted the strong face‐on molecular packing and reduced the blend film domain sizes for enhanced donor‐acceptor interfacial areas, resulting in increased short‐circuit current densities (Jsc) and fill factor (FF). However, polymer donor with high Mw value processed stronger tendency of forming excessive pure donor aggregate, which hampered forming the intermixed phase for efficient charge transport, resulting in the inferior FF. Therefore, the optimized OSCs based on PM6 with moderate molecular weight (Mw = 74 kDa) and Y6 exhibited suitable size and purity of the domains, facilitating well‐balanced charge transport, reducing trap‐assisted recombination and leading to significant enhancement of photovoltaic performance with the optimal PCE of 17.1%. This work indicates that proper and precisely tuning the molecular weight of polymer donor is critical to enhance the photovoltaic performance in PSCs.
Structural Basis of Prolyl Hydroxylase Domain Inhibition by Molidustat
Authors: Figg William D. , McDonough Michael A. , Chowdhury Rasheduzzaman , Nakashima Yu , Zhang Zhihong , Holt‐Martyn James P. , Krajnc Alen , Schofield Christopher J. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractHuman prolyl‐hydroxylases (PHDs) are hypoxia‐sensing 2‐oxoglutarate (2OG) oxygenases, catalysis by which suppresses the transcription of hypoxia‐inducible factor target genes. PHD inhibition enables the treatment of anaemia/ischaemia‐related disease. The PHD inhibitor Molidustat is approved for the treatment of renal anaemia; it differs from other approved/late‐stage PHD inhibitors in lacking a glycinamide side chain. The first reported crystal structures of Molidustat and IOX4 (a brain‐penetrating derivative) complexed with PHD2 reveal how their contiguous triazole, pyrazolone and pyrimidine/pyridine rings bind at the active site. The inhibitors bind to the active‐site metal in a bidentate manner through their pyrazolone and pyrimidine nitrogens, with the triazole π‐π‐stacking with Tyr303 in the 2OG binding pocket. Comparison of the new structures with other PHD inhibitor complexes reveals differences in the conformations of Tyr303, Tyr310, and a mobile loop linking β2–β3, which are involved in dynamic substrate binding/product release.
Breast cancer patients' insurance status and residence zip code correlate with early discontinuation of endocrine therapy: An analysis of the ECOG‐ACRIN TAILORx trial
Authors: Sadigh Gelareh , Gray Robert J. , Sparano Joseph A. , Yanez Betina , Garcia Sofia F. , Timsina Lava R. , Sledge George W. , Cella David , Wagner Lynne I. , Carlos Ruth C. 
Published: April 2021

BackgroundEarly discontinuation is a substantial barrier to the delivery of endocrine therapies (ETs) and may influence recurrence and survival. The authors investigated the association between early discontinuation of ET and social determinants of health, including insurance coverage and the neighborhood deprivation index (NDI), which was measured on the basis of patients' zip codes, in breast cancer.MethodsIn this retrospective analysis of a prospective randomized clinical trial (Trial Assigning Individualized Options for Treatment), women with hormone receptor–positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2–negative breast cancer who started ET within a year of study entry were included. Early discontinuation was calculated as stopping ET within 4 years of its start for reasons other than distant recurrence or death via Kaplan‐Meier estimates. A Cox proportional hazards joint model was used to analyze the association between early discontinuation of ET and factors such as the study‐entry insurance and NDI, with adjustments made for other variables.ResultsOf the included 9475 women (mean age, 55.6 years; White race, 84%), 58.0% had private insurance, whereas 11.7% had Medicare, 5.8% had Medicaid, 3.8% were self‐pay, and 19.1% were treated at international sites. The early discontinuation rate was 12.3%. Compared with those with private insurance, patients with Medicaid (hazard ratio [HR], 1.53; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.23‐1.92) and self‐pay patients (HR, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.25‐2.17) had higher early discontinuation. Participants with a first‐quartile NDI (highest deprivation) had a higher probability of discontinuation than those with a fourth‐quartile NDI (lowest deprivation; HR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.11‐1.62).ConclusionsPatients' insurance and zip code at study entry play roles in adherence to ET, with uninsured and underinsured patients having a high rate of treatment nonadherence. Early identification of patients at risk may improve adherence to therapy.Lay Summary

In this retrospective analysis of 9475 women with breast cancer participating in a clinical trial (Trial Assigning Individualized Options for Treatment), Medicaid and self‐pay patients (compared with those with private insurance) and those in the highest quartile of neighborhood deprivation scores (compared with those in the lowest quartile) had a higher probability of early discontinuation of endocrine therapy.

These social determinants of health assume larger importance with the expected increase in unemployment rates and loss of insurance coverage in the aftermath of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Early identification of patients at risk and enrollment in insurance optimization programs may improve the persistence of therapy.
A novel approach of intensified barnacles mating optimization for the mitigation of power system oscillations
Authors: Devarapalli Ramesh , Bhattacharyya Biplab , Kumari Archana 
Published: April 2021

AbstractOptimization is the process of attaining the best solution from the available set of prioritized constraints to maximize or minimize the desired function involved in it. It is imperative in engineering to plan and design to find the best out of confined resource and time. A recently recommended barnacles matting optimization (BMO) has been recognized in computing the optimal parameters of the electric power system with excellent performance characteristics. In this paper, the intensified version of BMO has been proposed with the aid of cuckoo search (CS) and traditional particle swarm optimization (PSO). An in‐depth analysis was made on the BMO technique and proposed suitable modifications to deal with the electrical power system stability enhancement issue efficiently. The proposed technique in the power system stabilizer (PSS) parameter computation is validated on the 23 benchmark functions to examine for its suitability. The robustness of the proposed method is presented via statistical analysis and boxplot of the 23 benchmark functions. The PSS parameters are computed in a benchmark two area four machine system using intensified BMO under self‐clearing fault conditions. A multi‐objective function is designed to improve the damping nature offered under system uncertainties, and the comparative analysis is presented among conventional PSS, BMO, intensified BMO with CS and PSO (BMO‐CS and BMO‐PSO), and harris hawks optimizer.
Cooperative Self‐Assembly in Linear Chains Based on Halogen Bonds
Authors: Vermeeren Pascal , Wolters Lando P. , Paragi Gábor , Fonseca Guerra Célia 
Published: April 2021

AbstractCooperative properties of halogen bonds were investigated with computational experiments based on dispersion‐corrected relativistic density functional theory. The bonding mechanism in linear chains of cyanogen halide (X−CN), halocyanoacetylene (X−CC−CN), and 4‐halobenzonitrile (X−C6H4−CN) were examined for X = H, Cl, Br, and I. Our energy decomposition and Kohn‐Sham molecular‐orbital analyses revealed the bonding mechanism of the studied systems. Cyanogen halide and halocyanoacetylene chains possess an extra stabilizing effect with increasing chain size, whereas the 4‐halobenzonitrile chains do not. This cooperativity can be traced back to charge separation within the σ‐electronic system by charge‐transfer between the lone‐pair orbital of the nitrogen (σHOMO) on one unit and the acceptor orbital of the C−X (σ*LUMO) on the adjacent unit. As such, the HOMO‐LUMO gap in the σ‐system decreases, and the cooperativity increases with chain length revealing the similarity in the bonding mechanisms of hydrogen and halogen bonds.
Exploring the Use of Serum‐Derived Small Extracellular Vesicles as Liquid Biopsy to Study the Induction of Hepatic Cytochromes P450 and Organic Anion Transporting Polypeptides
Authors: Rodrigues A. David , van Dyk Madelé , Sorich Michael J. , Fahmy Alia , Useckaite Zivile , Newman Lauren A. , Kapetas Asha J. , Mounzer Reham , Wood Linda S. , Johnson Jillian G. , Rowland Andrew 
Published: April 2021

Liver‐derived small extracellular vesicles (sEVs), prepared from small sets of banked serum samples using a novel two‐step protocol, were deployed as liquid biopsy to study the induction of cytochromes P450 (CYP3A4, CYP3A5, and CYP2D6) and organic anion transporting polypeptides (OATP1B1 and OATP1B3) during pregnancy (nonpregnant (T0), first, second, and third (T3) trimester women; N = 3 each) and after administration of rifampicin (RIF) to healthy male subjects. Proteomic analysis revealed induction (mean fold‐increase, 90% confidence interval) of sEV CYP3A4 after RIF 300 mg × 7 days (3.5, 95% CI = 2.5–4.5, N = 4, P = 0.029) and 600 mg × 14 days (3.7, 95% CI = 2.1–6.0, N = 5, P = 0.018) consistent with the mean oral midazolam area under the plasma concentration time curve (AUC) ratio in the same subjects (0.28, 95% CI = 0.22–0.34, P < 0.0001; and 0.17, 95% CI = 0.13–0.22, P < 0.0001). Compared with CYP3A4, liver sEV CYP3A5 protein (subjects genotyped CYP3A5*1/*3) was weakly induced (≤ 1.5‐fold). It was also possible to measure liver sEV‐catalyzed dextromethorphan (DEX) O‐demethylation to dextrorphan (DXO), correlated with sEV CYP2D6 expression (r = 0.917, P = 0.0001; N = 10) and 3‐hour plasma DXO‐to‐DEX concentration ratio (r = 0.843, P = 0.002, N = 10), and show that CYP2D6 was not induced by RIF. Nonparametric analysis of liver sEV revealed significantly higher CYP3A4 (3.2‐fold, P = 0.003) and CYP2D6 (3.7‐fold, P = 0.03) protein expression in T3 vs. T0 women. In contrast, expression of both OATPs in liver sEV was unaltered by RIF administration and pregnancy.
Building Protein‐Protein and Protein‐Glycosaminoglycan Interaction Networks Using MatrixDB, the Extracellular Matrix Interaction Database
Authors: Berthollier Coline , Vallet Sylvain D. , Deniaud Madeline , Clerc Olivier , Ricard‐Blum Sylvie 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe interaction database MatrixDB reports protein‐protein and protein‐glycosaminoglycan interactions in human, mammalian, and model organisms, involving at least one extracellular matrix (ECM) constituent, namely full‐length proteins, ECM multimeric proteins considered as stable complexes, proteoglycans, glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), and bioactive fragments called matricryptins, which are released upon limited proteolysis of ECM proteins. The current version of MatrixDB (as of October 2020) contains 106,543 experimentally supported interactions, with all types of biomolecules combined. MatrixDB is the only database focusing on the curation of ECM protein and GAG interactions. The iNavigator integrated in MatrixDB allows users to build interaction networks online and to filter them according to expression data, quantitative proteomics data, or interaction detection methods. MatrixDB belongs to the International Molecular Exchange (IMEx) consortium, and uses its curation rules to capture interaction data, which are available in standardized exchange formats according to the Human Proteome Organization—Proteomics Standards Initiative (HUPO‐PSI). © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.Basic Protocol 1: Browse MatrixDBBasic Protocol 2: Create a list of biomolecules of interest to build interaction networksBasic Protocol 3: Build and export interaction networks of selected biomolecules using the iNavigatorBasic Protocol 4: Build specific interaction networks using the iNavigator widgetsBasic Protocol 5: Generate 3D models of glycosaminoglycan oligosaccharides using the GAG Builder tool