bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
No adverse events were observed in clozapine‐treated patients on extended hematologic monitoring intervals during the coronavirus pandemic in four psychiatric centers in Japan
Authors: Hata Masahiro , Fujimoto Michiko , Kanai Koji , Yoshiyama Kenji , Nakatani Yoshitaka , Nakabayashi Daiji , Maemura Saki , Kawata Shinya , Hakozaki Takaaki , Nishikura Shuya , Umemoto Aiko , Sasada Toru , Iwata Kazuhiko , Tanaka Hideki , Mamoto Akiko , Toi Yuuki , Taniguchi Norio , Saito Makiko , Kimura Yoshio , Kishimoto Kazuko , Hayami Megumi , Ikeda Manabu 
Published: February 2021

AbstractAimAs an emergency measure during the coronavirus disease pandemic, the monitoring interval for clozapine use was temporarily extended beyond the regulatory requirement in Japan, which is the safest monitoring interval worldwide. In this study, we aimed to explore the effect of this measure on patients undergoing clozapine treatment.MethodsThis retrospective chart review study included patients with treatment‐resistant schizophrenia (TRS) who were undergoing clozapine treatment at four psychiatric institutions in Japan. Demographic characteristics and clinical information of these patients were collected on April 27, 2020, when Japanese psychiatrists were virtually allowed to prescribe clozapine beyond the regulatory requirement. Furthermore, information of adverse events related to the emergency measure was collected and analyzed.ResultsOf the 41 patients with TRS included in this study, 19 patients underwent extended hematological monitoring during clozapine treatment. No psychiatric or hematological adverse events were observed in the patients during the extended monitoring interval.ConclusionThis study suggested that there were few adverse events of clozapine‐treated patients related to emergency measures in Japan. However, hematological monitoring intervals during clozapine treatment have been emergently extended worldwide; hence, it is necessary to verify the results of these measures.
Revenue, welfare and trade effects of African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AFCFTA) on Nigerian economy
Authors: Oyelami Lukman O. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractAfrican Continental Free Trade Agreement (AFCFTA) is gradually becoming a reality and there are needs now more than ever to investigate how African countries will thrive under this new trade regime. Based on this consideration, this study seeks to investigate the revenue, welfare and trade effect of ACFTA on Nigerian economy with the Partial Equilibrium Analysis approach using the World Trade Integrated Solution‐Single Market Partial Equilibrium Simulation Tool (SMART) model. SMART is a trade simulation model developed by the World Bank and the UNCTAD using trade flow data and tariff data from Trade Analysis and Information Systems, the World Trade Organization Integrated Database and Consolidated Tariff Schedule. The findings from the study show that AFCFTA is a trade creating Free Trade Agreement in Africa and sectors like petrochemical industries, textile and maritime products are the leading trade creating sector in Nigeria. On the other hand, manufacturing activities in the production of sanitary, papers, electronics and automobiles are trade diverting in Nigeria. Overall, the total trade effect in Nigeria is US$ 145 million with an accompanying welfare effect of US$ 13 million. However, the Nigerian government might experience a loss of revenue of US$104 million as a result of tariff removal. Thus, this study concludes that AFCFTA is a trade creating and expanding policy but it comes at a huge loss of revenue on the part of the Nigerian government and this can be ameliorated with the introduction of the more comprehensive consumption tax system.
Thermally induced fire early warning aerogel with efficient thermal isolation and flame‐retardant properties
Authors: Cao Chengran , Yuan Bihe 
Published: February 2021

AbstractDue to the energy‐saving demands in chemical industries and building fields, thermal isolation materials (TIMs) are widely used. The general exploitation of combustible TIMs calls for timely fire alerts as well as flame‐retardant modifications. This work provides a novel paradigm to address the issues simultaneously by preparing a multifunctional aerogel via a facile and environmentally friendly freeze‐drying method. With the doping of ammonium polyphosphate and graphene oxide (GO), cellulose nanofiber‐based aerogel exhibits excellent thermal‐isolating as well as flame‐retardant properties. The composite aerogel displays flameless pyrolysis as well as increased residue char. A fire‐warning detector is designed to reliably monitor the early fire. Based on the flame‐induced electrical resistance transformation characteristic of GO, it endows the composite aerogel with an ultra‐fast fire‐response time of ~2.6 s and a durable alarm signal. The flame‐retardant and fire‐alarm mechanisms are concluded. Overall, these results suggest that this composite aerogel has an enticing prospect in chemical industries and high‐rise buildings, which may lay the foundation for designing multifunctional TIMs. The modified aerogel broadens its application territory by intrinsic fire‐alarm characteristics, which covers the deficiency of delaying reaction as well as restricted application scenarios in traditional fire detectors.
Material properties and phase behavior of crosslinkable acrylonitrile‐butadiene copolymer/ethylene vinyl acetate/carbon black composites
Authors: Brigandi Paul J. , Sengupta Saurav , Weinhold Jeffrey , Reffner John R. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractCrosslinkable composites of ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA)/acrylonitrile‐butadiene copolymer (NBR)/carbon black (CB) finds widespread use in industrial applications. Crosslinking and phase behavior and resulting mechanical properties have been reported, but a systematic investigation as a function of varying molecular architecture is still elusive. The present work combines an experimental and theoretical approach to understand the phase morphology and physical properties of crosslinked EVA/NBR/CB polymer composites. Crosslinking behavior is studied by varying the functionality content in the two polymers. A theoretical model was developed to calculate and predict the overall phase behavior of the composites as well as the preferential solubility of the peroxide in the phases. The phase morphology of the immiscible EVA/NBR polymer blend investigated clearly showed two distinct phases with the NBR phase dispersed in the continuous EVA phase and the CB particles tend to reside at the interface. The influence of varying molecular architecture and functionality of the NBR and EVA on material properties was investigated and did not significantly contribute to the crosslinking and tensile behavior of the composites. The mechanical properties were found to correlate with the degree of crosslinking and CB loading.
Identifying new compounds with potential pharmaceutical and physiological activity in Areca catechu and Areca triandra via a non‐targeted metabolomic approach
Authors: Wu Jiao , Cui Chuang , Zhang He , Liu Dongjun , Schreiber Lukas , Qin Weiquan , Wan Yinglang 
Published: February 2021

AbstractIntroductionThe fruits of Areca catechu, also called areca nuts, are widely used as popular masticatory and traditional herbal medicine in Asia. Besides arecoline and related alkaloids, limited information is available about further primary and secondary metabolites and their potential biological activities.ObjectiveHere we aimed to further enhance our knowledge on phytochemical profiles of A. catechu and Areca triandra fruits. We intended to comprehensively identify metabolites in A. catechu and A. triandra fruits.MethodologyMetabolites were identified by ultra‐performance liquid chromatography triple‐quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS/MS). The occurrence of 12 selected bioactive compounds in 4 different developmental stages of A. catechu and A. triandra was quantified by LC–MS/MS.ResultsA total of 791 metabolites was identified. Of these, 115 metabolites could successfully be mapped to 44 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes metabolic pathways, and 154 metabolites occurred at significantly different levels in A. catechu compared to A. triandra. Several components with known biological activities were identified for the first time in A. catechu and A. triandra. The abundance of many of these new components was similar in A. catechu and A. triandra, but significantly different between the pericarp and the seeds of A. catechu fruits.ConclusionsMetabolic profiles indicate that fruits of the Areca species compared here have similar primary and secondary metabolites. Our findings provide new insights into A. catechu and A. triandra as valuable sources for traditional medicine and they pave the way for further studies to potentially improve the underlying pharmaceutical and physiological effects.
Chronic opioid use and complication risks in women with endometriosis: A cohort study in US administrative claims
Authors: Chiuve Stephanie E. , Kilpatrick Ryan D. , Hornstein Mark D. , Petruski‐Ivleva Natalia , Wegrzyn Lani R. , Dabrowski Elizabeth C. , Velentgas Priscilla , Snabes Michael C. , Bateman Brian T. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundWomen with endometriosis are prescribed opioids for pain relief but may be vulnerable to chronic opioid use given their comorbidity profile.MethodsA cohort study was conducted in the Clinformatics™ DataMart database between 2006 and 2017 comparing women aged 18–50 years with endometriosis (N = 36 373) to those without (N = 2 172 936) in terms of risk of chronic opioid use, opioid dependence diagnosis, and opioid overdose. Chronic opioid use was defined as ≥120 days' supply dispensed or ≥10 fills of an opioid during any 365‐day interval. Among women with endometriosis, we evaluated factors associated with higher risk of chronic opioid use and quantified the risk of complications associated with the use of opioids.ResultsWomen with endometriosis were at greater risk for chronic opioid use (OR: 3.76; 95%CI: 3.57–3.96), dependence (OR: 2.73, 95%CI: 2.38–3.13) and overdose (OR: 4.34, 95%CI: 3.06–6.15) compared to women without. Chronic users displayed dose escalation and increase in days supplied over time, as well as co‐prescribing with benzodiazepines and sedatives. Approximately 34% of chronic users developed constipation, 20% experienced falls, and 8% reported dizziness. Among endometriosis patients, women in younger age groups, those with other comorbidities associated with pain symptoms, as well as those with depression or anxiety were at a higher risk of developing chronic opioid use.ConclusionsWomen with endometriosis had a four times greater risk of chronic opioid use compared to women without. Multimorbidity among these patients was associated with the elevated risk of chronic opioid use and should be taken into account during treatment selection.
A novel kinetic approach to crystallization mechanisms in polymers
Authors: Arshad Muhammad Azeem 
Published: February 2021

AbstractKinetics of polymer crystallization is capable of modeling the polymer crystallization processes by revealing their mechanisms. Although complexities of polymer crystallization processes are familiar, a generalized approach for their kinetic modeling has not yet been suggested. This paper presents a concise review of the pre‐existing kinetic approaches to polymer crystallization, including their pros and cons, putting a special emphasis on the necessity of approaches to polymer crystallization. A systematic and advanced approach comprising an innovative kinetic framework to model polymer crystallization processes is put forward using Hoffman‐Lauritzen theory. Kinetic functions are developed for predicting the crystallization mechanisms of simple as well as complicated polymer crystallization processes. The suggested kinetic approach is experimentally justified by its effective applications to non‐isothermal glass and melt crystallization of poly(ethylene 2,5‐furandicarboxylate). An account of the soundness of the proposed kinetic approach and its prospective applications are also discussed.
Environmental impacts of examination gloves made of natural rubber and nitrile rubber, identified by life‐cycle assessment
Authors: Patrawoot Supatra , Tran Thierry , Arunchaiya Marisa , Somsongkul Voranuch , Chisti Yusuf , Hansupalak Nanthiya 
Published: February 2021

AbstractMedical examination gloves made of natural rubber (NR; powdered and non‐powdered) and synthetic nitrile rubber (NBR) were compared in terms of their environmental impact using life cycle assessments spanning material extraction, transportation to the glove production factory, the production process, and disposal by total incineration. ReCiPe Midpoint (H) V1.13/World Recipe H life cycle assessment method implemented using the SimaPro 9.0.0.48, was used. Single scores of each glove type and stage were determined by using weighting factors specifically obtained from a 2014 survey in Thailand. With current technologies, the overall environmental impact, or the total single score, of NR gloves was higher than of NBR gloves, because the glove production stage of NR gloves required more energy and sulfur use. In addition, the overall environmental impact of both types of gloves was found to be lower if powder coating was used rather than chlorination to reduce stickiness, and if glove production relied on natural gas for energy rather than coal. The single score approach revealed the hotspots for potential improvements for each glove type.
A comparison of insecticide susceptibility levels in 12 species of urban pest ants with special focus on the odorous house ant, Tapinoma sessile
Authors: Buczkowski Grzegorz 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBACKGROUNDMany ant species are pests in urban, agricultural, and natural habitats around the world. The primary means of reducing or eliminating ant infestations utilizes chemical control, mainly applications of residual insecticides. Control failures with residual insecticides are common, driven in part by a lack of understanding of basic biological and life history characteristics, including interspecific variation in susceptibility to insecticides. The current study evaluated the susceptibility of 12 species of urban pest ants to three classes of insecticides.RESULTSResults show significant variation in susceptibility across species. Contrary to the hypothesis of proportionality, no significant relationship was detected between body mass and median lethal time (LT50) or time to 100% mortality. The odorous house ant (Tapinoma sessile) was consistently the least susceptible to all insecticides, as indicated by the highest LT50 values and the greatest amount of time required to reach 100% mortality. Comparatively low susceptibility to commonly used spray insecticides may explain why T. sessile is such a persistent pest. Broadcast applications of spray insecticides may kill off the most susceptible species, leaving behind T. sessile. Lack of competition from other ant species, combined with increased access to nesting and feeding resources may allow T. sessile to fill a vacant ecological niche and expand its range.CONCLUSIONConsidering T. sessile's relatively low susceptibility to insecticides, its ability to become established in areas colonized by other invasive ants, and its highly invasive behaviors, it should be watched for by biosecurity programs as it has high potential to become a globally invasive pest.© 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
A high‐accuracy global prognostic model for the simulation of Rossby and gravity wave dynamics
Authors: Vasylkevych Sergiy , Žagar Nedjeljka 
Published: February 2021

AbstractA model for studying Transient Inertia–Gravity And Rossby wave dynamics (TIGAR) is introduced. The presented horizontal component of the model solves the nonlinear rotating shallow‐water equations on the sphere using Hough harmonics. Spectral modelling using Hough harmonics as basis functions describes atmospheric dynamics in terms of physically identifiable structures: Rossby and inertia–gravity eigensolutions of linearized primitive equations. This offers an attractive framework for detangling gravity wave dynamics in high‐resolution simulations. Accurate computations are achieved through the use of higher order integrating factor and exponential time‐differencing methods, leading to a major increase in computational efficiency and stability. A comparison with classical time‐stepping schemes shows accuracy improvements of several orders of magnitude at no additional computational cost. In particular, stability gains are achieved through enhanced accuracy and efficiency in the computation of gravity waves, rather than through their damping. In the new framework, reduced models using Rossby and gravity waves aimed at studying dynamical aspects of data assimilation or wave interactions are easily implemented.
Empirical determination of the covariance of forecast errors: An empirical justification and reformulation of hybrid covariance models
Authors: Carrió Diego S. , Bishop Craig H. , Kotsuki Shunji 
Published: February 2021

AbstractDuring the last decade, the replacement of static climatological forecast error covariance models with hybrid error covariance models that linearly combine localised ensemble covariances with static climatological error covariances has led to significant forecast improvements at several major forecasting centres. Here, a deeper understanding of why the hybrid's superficially ad hoc mix of ensemble‐based and climatological covariances yields such significant improvements is pursued. In practice, ensemble covariances are not equal to the true flow‐dependent forecast error covariance matrix. Here, the relationship between actual forecast error covariance and the corresponding ensemble covariance is empirically demonstrated. Using a simplified global circulation model and the local ensemble transform Kalman filter (LETKF), the covariance of the set of actual forecast errors corresponding to ensemble covariances close to a fixed target value is computed. By doing this for differing target values, an estimate of the actual forecast error covariance as a function of ensemble covariance is obtained. A demonstration that the hybrid is a much better approximation to this estimate than either the static climatological covariance or the localised ensemble covariance is given. The empirical estimate has two features that current hybrid error covariance models fail to represent: (i) The weight given to the static covariance matrix is an increasing function of the horizontal separation distance of the covarying model variables, and (ii) for small ensemble sizes and ensemble covariances near zero but negative, the actual forecast error covariance is a decreasing function of increasing ensemble covariance. While the first finding has been anticipated by other authors, the second finding has not been anticipated, as far as the authors are aware. Here, (ii) is hypothesised to be a consequence of spurious sample correlations and variances associated with reduced ensembles. Consistent with this hypothesis, the non‐monotonicity of this relationship is almost eliminated by quadrupling the ensemble size.
Distance based and bond additive topological indices of certain repurposed antiviral drug compounds tested for treating COVID‐19
Authors: Liu Jia‐Bao , Arockiaraj Micheal , Arulperumjothi M. , Prabhu Savari 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe entire world is struggling to control the spread of coronavirus (COVID‐19) as there are no proper drugs for treating the disease. Under clinical trials, some of the repurposed antiviral drugs have been applied to COVID‐19 patients and reported the efficacy of the drugs with the diverse inferences. Molecular topology has been developed in recent years as an influential approach for drug design and discovery in which molecules that are structurally related show similar pharmacological properties. It permits a purely mathematical description of the molecular structure so that in the development of identification of new drugs can be found through adequate topological indices. In this paper, we study the structural properties of the several antiviral drugs such as chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, lopinavir, ritonavir, remdesivir, theaflavin, nafamostat, camostat, umifenovir and bevacizumab by considering the distance and bond measures of chemical compounds. Our quantitative values of the topological indices are extremely useful in the recent development of designing new drugs for COVID‐19.
Examining conductance values in the biphenyl molecular switch with reduced density matrices
Authors: Bones Don X. , Malme Justin T. , Hoy Erik P. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractElectronic switches built from single molecules such as biphenyl dithiol are promising replacements for traditional electronic devices. To support experimental investigations of molecular switches, charge transport values are typically predicted using non‐equilibrium Green's functions constructed using density functional theory (NEGF‐DFT). Previous studies of biphenyl dithiol, however, have usually overestimated experimental conductance values and have not reproduced a drop in conductance at low torsional angles. In this paper, we employ a methodology that constructs the non‐equilibrium Green's functions from 2‐electron reduced density matrix theory (NEGF‐RDM). This approach has previously predicted lower conductance values than NEGF‐DFT for systems where NEGF‐DFT is known to overestimate transport. In the first direct comparison of the NEGF‐RDM method and experimental results, we examine the biphenyl dithiol at a range of torsional angles. We evaluate both the quantitative accuracy of multiple NEGF methods and provide insights into the experimentally observed drop in conductance at small torsional angles.
Dam‐influenced seasonally varying water temperature in the Three Gorges Reservoir
Authors: Sun Jian , Lin Jie , Zhang Xiaofeng , Xiao Zijun , Lin Binliang , Xu Haoyang 
Published: February 2021

AbstractWater temperature is a fundamental parameter for both hydrological and ecological processes in aquatic systems. Usually, a sinusoidal function is used to represent the seasonal variation of water temperature in natural surface water. However, a large number of dams have been built on rivers worldwide, and water mass transport is retarded due to the reservoir impoundment. As a result, the water temperature lags seasonally behind the natural cycle due to seasonal dam‐operation, and the ordinary sinusoidal function is no more valid in describing the thermal process. In this study, a composite cosine function (CCF) is introduced to address the dam‐influenced seasonally varying water temperature pattern, which includes a time varying phase‐lag for temperature variations. The proposed method is applied to the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR), a major impoundment on the Yangtze River, China. It is found that the annual thermal process of warming and cooling becomes asymmetry during the post‐TGR stage, that is, the seasonally varying temperature follows an asymmetric sinusoidal wave pattern. In frequency spectrum, both annual and semi‐annual components are main contributors to the time varying water temperature. The minimum temperature of TGR's discharge has increased by 1.86°C after the normal operation of the reservoir, and the coldest water arrival timing is postponed by up to 40 days in the dry season. The benefit of using CCF in temperature reconstruction is that it can prevent the mistake of ascribing the semi‐annual component to short‐term fluctuations. The present study can help in improving the understanding of the asymmetric seasonal temperature processes due to dam operation.