bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cardiovascular and kidney outcomes of spironolactone or eplerenone in combination with ACEI/ARBs in patients with diabetic kidney disease
Authors: An Jaejin , Niu Fang , Sim John J. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractBackgroundMineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA) when combined with either angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) may provide additional benefits of cardiovascular and kidney disease risk reduction in patients with diabetic kidney disease (DKD) and hypertension. We evaluated the effectiveness of combination therapy (MRAs, either spironolactone or eplerenone, plus ACEI/ARB) compared with monotherapy (ACEI/ARB only) in patients with DKD and hypertension.MethodsRetrospective cohort study was performed in patients (age ≥ 18 years) with hypertension, diabetes, and albuminuria between 2008 and 2018 within an integrated health system. MRA with ACEI/ARB compared to ACEI/ARB alone was evaluated on composite of cardiovascular events, progression to end‐stage kidney disease, or all‐cause mortality. Hyperkalemia was compared as a safety outcome.ResultsWe identified 1282 patients who received MRAs with ACEI/ARBs and 5484 patients who received ACEI/ARBs alone. Median exposure time for combination therapy was 126 days. The rates per 100 person‐years of cardiovascular, kidney, or all‐cause mortality outcomes were 12.2 and 9.2 for combination therapy and monotherapy, respectively (hazard ratios = 1.24, 95% Confidence Interval (CI):0.94, 1.63). Patients receiving combination therapy had greater reduction in urine albumin‐to‐creatinine ratio compared with monotherapy (Mean reduction: 823 and 585 mg/g; p < 0.001, respectively). Hyperkalemia was more frequent in combination therapy versus monotherapy (22.3 vs. 10.9 per 100 person‐years for combination and monotherapy, respectively; hazard ratios = 1.78, 95%CI: 1.42, 2.24).ConclusionsAmong patients with DKD and hypertension, the short‐term use of MRAs, either spironolactone or eplerenone, in combination with ACEI/ARBs, was not associated with lower risk of cardiovascular or kidney outcomes compared with ACEI/ARB monotherapy. The risk of hyperkalemia and the short duration of combination therapy may suggest a real‐world clinical challenge for MRA with ACEI/ARB combination therapy.
Mono‐filler and bi‐filler composites based on thermoplastic polyurethane, carbon fibers and carbon nanotubes with improved physicomechanical and engineering properties
Authors: Farzaneh Arman , Rostami Amir , Nazockdast Hossein 
Published: October 2021

AbstractTwo types of carbon‐based fillers, i.e. multi‐walled carbon nanotubes and carbon fibers, were incorporated into thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) through melt mixing to prepare mono‐filler and bi‐filler composites. It was evaluated as to how much the properties of bi‐filler composites were different from those of their mono‐filler counterparts. Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR‐FTIR) and time sweep rheological measurements were employed to study the microphase separation of TPU. The quantitative results of ATR‐FTIR corroborated that the bi‐filler composites possessed greater microphase separation compared to their mono‐filler counterparts. The kinetics of networks formed by microphase separation was accelerated for the composite samples compared to neat TPU. The fillers acting as platforms provided a suitable surface for the hard segments to form microphase‐separated domain networks. Conductivity measurement proved that the electrical conductivity values of the bi‐filler composites were higher than those of the mono‐filler counterparts and the simultaneous presence of fillers decreased the electrical percolation threshold. Moreover, the effect of shear deformation applied during the processing on the rheological and electrical properties of the mono‐filler and bi‐filler composites was evaluated. It was found that shearing at low rates increased the cross‐time of G′ and G″, and vice versa. Shearing at an intermediate rate of 20 s−1 promoted the electrical conductivity of both mono‐filler and bi‐filler composites and coherently decreased the electrical percolation threshold. © 2021 Society of Industrial Chemistry.
Registration of ‘CP 13‐1223’ sugarcane for Florida organic soils
Authors: Islam Md S. , Sandhu Hardev , Zhao Duli , Sood Sushma , Momotaz Aliya , Davidson R. Wayne , Baltazar Miguel , Gordon Vanessa S. , McCord Per , Arbelo Coto Orlando 
Published: October 2021

Abstract‘CP 13‐1223’ (Reg. no. CV‐204, PI 698176) sugarcane (a complex hybrid of Saccharum spp.) was released to growers in June 2020 for producing on muck soils in Florida. It was developed through a decade‐long cooperative research program between the USDA‐ARS, the University of Florida Everglades Research and Education Center, and the Florida Sugar Cane League, Inc. This cultivar resulted from a poly‐cross made at the USDA‐ARS Canal Point (CP) Sugarcane Field Station. CP 13‐1223 was released because of its high commercial recoverable sucrose (CRS) and stalk weight, and demonstrated acceptable levels of cane and sucrose yields on muck soils. CP 13‐1223 has resistance to orange rust, leaf scald, Sugarcane mosaic virus strain E, ratoon stunt disease, and smut, and moderate resistance to brown rust. Based on results from 13 harvests across replicated yield trials at five locations, CP 13‐1223 performed 29.6 and 9.5% higher in CRS and stalk weight, respectively, than the check cultivar ‘CP 96‐1252’. It did not differ significantly from CP 96‐1252 in either cane yield, sucrose yield, or economic profitability. CP 13‐1223 is considered to have moderate tolerance to freezing in field tests.
Synthesis and characterization of a new benzobisoxazole/thiophene derivative polymer and the effect of the substituent on the push/pull properties
Authors: Ahumada Juan Carlos , Soto Juan Pablo , Alemán Carlos , Torras Juan 
Published: October 2021

AbstractConducting polymer synthesis of a new benzobisoxazole/thiophene derivative is reported. The conjugated co‐polymer presents the lowest bandgap (1.78 eV) reported for a neutral benzobisoxazole/thiophene polymer. Electrochemical polymerization is carried out by cyclic voltammetry, and the new conducting polymer is characterized by Raman spectroscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results indicate that the coupling of the monomer unit occurs at the 2,2′ positions of the thiophene ring. Theoretical studies in derivatives of this family of compounds are conducted to validate the effect on the bandgap modulation due to the change in the substituent on the phenyl moiety of the monomer. The comparison between experimental and theoretical properties shows the substituents impact on the optical properties of the system, and its viability to be used in sensors.
Sustainable polymer materials for flexible light control and thermal management
Authors: Viola Wesley , Andrew Trisha L. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractThe urgency of the global energy and climate crises demands quick development of energy‐saving and temperature regulating technologies. Efficient thermal management by selective control of visible and infrared light is possible with advanced optical materials. Already, garments are being functionalized with such materials and may significantly reduce indoor heating and cooling costs, for which a huge (~10% in the United States) amount of energy is consumed. The ability to harness light also enables other technologies including dynamic camouflage and photoactivated self‐decontaminating surfaces. Although much focus has been placed on carbon and inorganic nanomaterials for these applications, this perspective investigates optically active polymer materials as arguably more benign alternatives for flexible devices. Passive and dynamic control of light for heating and cooling using polymers is covered, as well as a discussion comparing conjugated polymers with commonly used nanomaterials.
Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis due to heterozygous mutation in OAS1: Whole lung lavages for long‐term bridging to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Seidl Elias , Schramm Dirk , Schön Carola , Reiter Karl , Pawlita Ingo , Kappler Matthias , Reu‐Hofer Simone , Hauck Fabian , Albert Michael , Griese Matthias 
Published: October 2021

AbstractIntroductionPulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is defined by increased accumulation of surfactant in the alveolar space. PAP has been reported to be associated with a large number of clinical conditions and diseases. Whole lung lavages (WLLs) can be helpful to stabilize the clinical course of PAP until the underlying condition is identified, which may enable more specific treatment. Recently, heterozygous OAS1 gain‐of‐function variants were described as cause in patients with infantile‐onset PAP combined with hypogammaglobulinemia.Case presentationAt age 4 months, a female infant born to term was diagnosed with hypogammaglobulinemia and treated with monthly immunoglobulin injections. At age 15 months, the girl needed supplemental oxygen at night, and at age 18 months, also during the day. At age 2 years, PAP of unknown etiology was diagnosed by computed tomography scan and open lung biopsy. Subsequently, monthly WLLs were started, which stabilized the clinical course for over 2 years until a disease‐causing OAS1 variant was diagnosed and the patient was successfully treated by hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).ConclusionHere, we describe the successful management of a female patient with severe PAP caused by a heterozygous OAS1 gain‐of‐function variant until a definitive diagnosis was made and cured by HSCT.
Theoretical Study of the Phonon Scattering Probabilities and Thermodynamic Properties for Vacancy in Explosive
Authors: Long Yao , Chen Jun 
Published: October 2021

AbstractBased on density functional theory and Green's function method, we calculate the phonon states and phonon scattering probabilities of vacancy in β‐octahydro‐1,3,5,7‐tetranitro‐1,3,5,7‐tetrazocine. Two local vibrational states and twenty four scattered phonon states for vacancy are obtained. We find that the possible decomposition mechanism near the vacancy is denitrification and hydrogen transfer, and the scattered phonon states consist of four types: ring torsion, N‐NO2 stretch, CH2 wagging and CH bond stretch. A set of vacancy properties are calculated, including the free energy, heat capacity, scattering cross section and thermal conductive tensor. The phonon lifetime and thermal conductive coefficients are inverse proportional to the vacancy density in material.
Validation of CL‐20‐based Propellant Formulations for Photopolymerization 3D Printing
Authors: Gao Yuchen , Yang Weitao , Hu Rui , Zhou Jing , Zhang Yucheng 
Published: October 2021

AbstractThe combustion performances of propellants depend on the geometry and the composition. Three‐dimensional (3D) printing or additive manufacturing provides a feasible and effective way to fabricate propellants according to interior ballistic requirements. The main objective of this paper is to improve the properties of 3D printed propellants in terms of energy content and combustion behavior. Three propellant formulas, which contain polyurethane‐acrylic acid resin as binder and hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane (CL‐20) as energetic filler, were fabricated by extrusion material 3D printing. The formulas with the force constant of 1107.43–1209.44 J/g were designed. The combustion behaviors of designed formulas, such as the maximum pressure, burn time, and burn rate, were characterized by closed bomb tests. Meanwhile, the curing time, printability, and inner structure of these formulas were also demonstrated to understand the 3D extrusion printing of propellants better.
Enhancing protein perdeuteration by experimental evolution of Escherichia coli K‐12 for rapid growth in deuterium‐based media
Authors: Kelpšas Vinardas , von Wachenfeldt Claes 
Published: October 2021

AbstractDeuterium is a natural low abundance stable hydrogen isotope that in high concentrations negatively affects growth of cells. Here, we have studied growth of Escherichia coli MG1655, a wild‐type laboratory strain of E. coli K‐12, in deuterated glycerol minimal medium. The growth rate and final biomass in deuterated medium is substantially reduced compared to cells grown in ordinary medium. By using a multi‐generation adaptive laboratory evolution‐based approach, we have isolated strains that show increased fitness in deuterium‐based growth media. Whole‐genome sequencing identified the genomic changes in the obtained strains and show that there are multiple routes to genetic adaptation to growth in deuterium‐based media. By screening a collection of single‐gene knockouts of nonessential genes, no specific gene was found to be essential for growth in deuterated minimal medium. Deuteration of proteins is of importance for NMR spectroscopy, neutron protein crystallography, neutron reflectometry, and small angle neutron scattering. The laboratory evolved strains, with substantially improved growth rate, were adapted for recombinant protein production by T7 RNA polymerase overexpression systems and shown to be suitable for efficient production of perdeuterated soluble and membrane proteins for structural biology applications.
Cannabidiol inhibits SARS‐Cov‐2 spike (S) protein‐induced cytotoxicity and inflammation through a PPARγ‐dependent TLR4/NLRP3/Caspase‐1 signaling suppression in Caco‐2 cell line
Authors: Corpetti Chiara , Del Re Alessandro , Seguella Luisa , Palenca Irene , Rurgo Sara , De Conno Barbara , Pesce Marcella , Sarnelli Giovanni , Esposito Giuseppe 
Published: October 2021

Given the abundancy of angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE‐2) receptors density, beyond the lung, the intestine is considered as an alternative site of infection and replication for severe acute respiratory syndrome by coronavirus type 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2). Cannabidiol (CBD) has recently been proposed in the management of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) respiratory symptoms because of its anti‐inflammatory and immunomodulatory activity exerted in the lung. In this study, we demonstrated the in vitro PPAR‐γ‐dependent efficacy of CBD (10−9‐10−7 M) in preventing epithelial damage and hyperinflammatory response triggered by SARS‐CoV‐2 spike protein (SP) in a Caco‐2 cells. Immunoblot analysis revealed that CBD was able to reduce all the analyzed proinflammatory markers triggered by SP incubation, such as tool‐like receptor 4 (TLR‐4), ACE‐2, family members of Ras homologues A‐GTPase (RhoA‐GTPase), inflammasome complex (NLRP3), and Caspase‐1. CBD caused a parallel inhibition of interleukin 1 beta (IL‐1β), IL‐6, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α), and IL‐18 by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) assay. By immunofluorescence analysis, we observed increased expression of tight‐junction proteins and restoration of transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) following CBD treatment, as well as the rescue of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)–dextran permeability induced by SP. Our data indicate, in conclusion, that CBD is a powerful inhibitor of SP protein enterotoxicity in vitro.
A review of packaging‐related studies in the context of household food waste: Drivers, solutions and avenues for future research
Authors: Chan Ruby Bo Yiu 
Published: October 2021

AbstractPackaging has the potential to reduce food waste and contribute to the United Nations sustainable development goal 12.3. Yet packaging is also a household food waste (FW) driver, necessitating packaging improvements. Through a review of primary consumer studies on household FW and packaging published 2006–2020, this study mapped the effects of packaging functions on different food categories to identify packaging‐related FW drivers, solutions and research opportunities. Relevant studies are increasing, yet packaging yields less attention than factors including domestic routines. Many studies limit packaging discussion to the aspects attributed to wasted food, with date‐labels and overly large pack sizes the most mentioned. Suggested solutions by extant literature include clearer date‐labels and more pack size variety. However, research showing the effectiveness of these suggested solutions in households is lacking. Packaging formats and materials may affect packaging functionality and therefore household FW, but studies are lacking. There is therefore scope for household studies to collect more packaging related FW data. In particular, focussing on the effects of specific packaging functions on domestic food practices, with an effort to gather food‐group‐specific data. More studies in Africa, Asia, the Americas, Middle East and the Pacific/Oceania will provide insights beyond the current Eurocentric focus. These findings contribute to theory and practice within the focus of household FW and packaging literature, helping to extend existing research to support the development and implementation of packaging that considers regional differences in food systems, food routines and preferences for a better chance at reducing FW.
Novel pineapple leaf fibre composites coating with antimicrobial compound as a potential food packaging
Authors: Todhanakasem Tatsaporn , Panjapiyakul Sorawit , Koombhongse Piyawit 
Published: October 2021

AbstractBiodegradable packaging coated with antimicrobial compounds has emerged as a new type of food packaging with potential to enhance food safety, extend shelf life and minimize plastic pollution. We have developed a polylactic acid (PLA) composite pineapple leaf fibre (PALF) biopolymer to fulfil the high demand of biodegradable materials for a potential use in food packaging. Our formulation with 10% pineapple fibre PLA/PALF composites exhibited enhanced melting temperatures and heat resistance, with a 44% reduction in the tensile strength and 2.7‐fold reduction on the strain at the break when compared with neat PLA. To impart antimicrobial activity, the PLA/PALF was coated with crude supernatants isolated from Pediococcus pentosaceus PP04 containing 1.3% w/v of nisin. This material coated with the crude extract was shown to inhibit the growth of Bacillus cereus ATCC 11778, Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium ATCC 13311, and Escherichia coli ATCC 8739 in culture conditions, as well as minimizing the number of the tested pathogens on coated material surfaces.
Observations and numerical weather forecasts of land‐surface and boundary‐layer evolution during an unusually dry spring at a site in central England
Authors: Brooke J. K. , Osborne S. R. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractAnalysis of screen‐level and land‐surface temperature forecasts are known to have long‐standing warm nighttime, and cold daytime, temperature biases in regional models. During a record‐breaking spring and subsequent summer in 2020, over 100 radiosondes were launched at the Met Office Cardington site under clear skies on ten morning and one evening transitions. We compare observations with operational Met Office UKV forecasts and a standalone land‐surface model (JULES). Wind profiles show the UKV nocturnal jet was too high, suggesting too much mixing in the modelled boundary layer. The simulated nighttime surface inversion was too weak and the profile too cold immediately above the inversion. The radiosondes were in addition to comprehensive long‐term observations. The evapotranspiration was too large on a seasonal timescale for both the UKV and JULES. For spring and summer, UKV mean screen temperature errors were 0.2C during daytime and 1.3C at night. The soil temperature diurnal range was too large in both the UKV (by 3.9°C) and JULES (2.9°C), suggesting the surface is too highly coupled to the soil in the simulations. For the spring experimental days, UKV mean maximum screen temperature error was 0.8C. The buoyancy‐flux crossover times in the morning were slightly too early in the UKV (18 min on average) yet much earlier in JULES (52 min). Observations show the diagnosed boundary layer lifts too early in the UKV with onset of convection occurring on average 67 min too early. The UKV develops summertime boundary layers that are too deep by early afternoon. There was a time lag between the observed screen‐skin temperature and buoyancy‐flux crossovers in the morning that was not captured by the simulations. The evening buoyancy‐flux crossovers in JULES agreed well with the observations, but the UKV crossovers were on average 55 min too early.
The clinical and financial impact of introducing robotic‐assisted hysterectomy in a tertiary referral centre: A direct cost analysis of consecutive hysterectomies during a decade
Authors: Dumont Sander , Van Trappen Philippe 
Published: October 2021

AbstractBackgroundEconomic data and the clinical impact of introducing robotic‐assisted hysterectomy in a European setting are scarce with conflicting findings.MethodsIn this retrospective cohort study, the cost and complication rate of the different approaches of hysterectomy are investigated, both benign and (pre)malignant indications were included.Results844 patients were included: 323 (38.3%) patients underwent robotic‐assisted hysterectomy (RAH), 317 (37.5%) total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH), and 204 (24.2%) total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH). TAH dropped from 67.2% to 25.5% of procedures, whilst RAH rose to 41.8% of cases. The total hospitalisation cost was for RAH €5208.39 (±€916.91), for TAH €5846.61 (±€4464.37) and for TLH €3790.06 (±€1267.05). The postoperative complication rate of TAH (9.1%) was significantly higher in comparison with TLH and RAH (5.4% and 3.1%, respectively, p = 0.005).ConclusionsRAH has replaced TAH in most cases, especially for large uteri, early‐stage endometrial cancer and in selected endometriosis cases, resulting in reduced morbidity with lower hospitalisation costs. The indications for TLH remained, including menorrhagia, adenomyosis and persistent cervical dysplasia.
Aperiodic event‐triggered robust model predictive control for linear parameter‐varying system with round‐robin protocol
Authors: Wang Jun , Ding Baocang , Wang Ping 
Published: October 2021

AbstractThis article investigates the robust model predictive control (MPC) problem for networked control systems represented by the linear parameter‐varying model, in which an event‐triggered strategy and the round‐robin (RR) protocol scheduling locate at the sensor‐to‐controller and controller‐to‐actuator channels, respectively. By considering the problems of system state immeasurable and communication burden in engineering application, an output feedback controller that combines the aperiodic event‐triggered strategy is applied, where the triggering condition is designed in a time‐varying fashion. In addition, in order to avoid unexpected data collisions, the RR protocol is utilized to schedule a shared network and guarantee the efficiency of the control system. The controller parameters are obtained by solving an online convex robust MPC optimization problem, and the feasibility of the optimization problem and closed‐loop stability are also addressed. The effectiveness of the proposed theoretical results is illustrated by a numerical simulation example.