bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Theoretical Framework for the Carbon Emissions Effects of Technological Progress and Renewable Energy Consumption
Authors: Hasanov Fakhri J. , Khan Zeeshan , Hussain Muzzammil , Tufail Muhammad 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThis study develops a theoretical framework to quantify the impacts of technological progress, renewable energy consumption and international trade on carbon emissions (CO2), unlike many other studies that consider variables of interest in an ad hoc manner. The developed framework is then applied to the data from the BRICS countries for 1990–2017 period. The study also takes into consideration the integration, co‐integration, as well as cross‐country interdependence and heterogeneity properties of the panel data, and hence, the obtained results are robust and policy insights are well‐grounded. We estimate that technological progress, renewable energy consumption, and export size contribute to the reduction of the CO2 emissions, while gross domestic product (GDP) and import size increase the pollution both in the long‐ and short‐run. Our main policy recommendations would be the implementations of the measures, regulations, and establishment of the legislative frameworks that foster the technological enhancements and transition toward sustainable energy.
Propensity score trimming mitigates bias due to covariate measurement error in inverse probability of treatment weighted analyses: A plasmode simulation
Authors: Conover Mitchell M. , Rothman Kenneth J. , Stürmer Til , Ellis Alan R. , Poole Charles , Jonsson Funk Michele 
Published: February 2021

BackgroundInverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) may be biased by influential observations, which can occur from misclassification of strong exposure predictors.MethodsWe evaluated bias and precision of IPTW estimators in the presence of a misclassified confounder and assessed the effect of propensity score (PS) trimming. We generated 1000 plasmode cohorts of size N = 10 000, sampled with replacement from 6063 NHANES respondents (1999‐2014) age 40 to 79 with labs and no statin use. We simulated statin exposure as a function of demographics and CVD risk factors; and outcomes as a function of 10‐year CVD risk score and statin exposure (rate ratio [RR] = 0.5). For 5% of the people in selected populations (eg, all patients, exposed, those with outcomes), we randomly misclassified a confounder that strongly predicted exposure. We fit PS models and estimated RRs using IPTW and 1:1 PS matching, with and without asymmetric trimming.ResultsIPTW bias was substantial when misclassification was differential by outcome (RR range: 0.38‐0.63) and otherwise minimal (RR range: 0.51‐0.53). However, trimming reduced bias for IPTW, nearly eliminating it at 5% trimming (RR range: 0.49‐0.52). In one scenario, when the confounder was misclassified for 5% of those with outcomes (0.3% of cohort), untrimmed IPTW was more biased and less precise (RR = 0.37 [SE(logRR) = 0.21]) than matching (RR = 0.50 [SE(logRR) = 0.13]). After 1% trimming, IPTW estimates were unbiased and more precise (RR = 0.49 [SE(logRR) = 0.12]) than matching (RR = 0.51 [SE(logRR) = 0.14]).ConclusionsDifferential misclassification of a strong predictor of exposure resulted in biased and imprecise IPTW estimates. Asymmetric trimming reduced bias, with more precise estimates than matching.
Regioselectivity Patterns in Radical Cyclization of Diosphenol Derivatives with Different Ring Size: A Combined Experimental and DFT Study
Authors: Boz Esra , Özcan Hafize , Zaim Ömer , Tüzün Nurcan Ş. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractRadical cyclization reactions are still a challenging field in synthetic organic chemistry. Herein, the radical reactions of 6‐ and 7‐membered diosphenol derivatives (tropolone) with a significant difference in reactivity, ring size, aromaticity and stability were investigated. While the former produces a mixture of products including oxabicycloalkanones, the experimental work performed herein resulted with a single 2‐(3‐hydroxypropyl)cyclohepta‐2,4,6‐trienone product, regioselectively. DFT calculations (UM05/6‐311++G(d,p)) were performed following the experimental studies in order to describe the outcomes correctly. Therefore, all possible reaction pathways were investigated for both diosphenol and tropolone. The reaction barriers and intrinsic barriers from the Marcus theory were calculated to investigate the thermodynamic and intrinsic electronic effects to the experimental product distribution. Both experiment and theory show that the aforementioned systems have different selectivity routes governed by several factors. As a result of this comparative study, the charge distribution at the reactive atoms, entropy factors for cyclization vs termination and aromatization of the ring effects were found to be the driving factors for the observed regioselectivity.
Conformational Investigation of the Encapsulation of Nicotinic Acid Into β‐Cyclodextrin
Authors: Guendouzi Oukacha , Nouar Leila , Guendouzi Abdelkrim , Madi Fatiha , Boumediene Mostefa , Yahia Cherif Fatima , Hendi Amina , Djellala Imane , Elkeurti Mohammed 
Published: February 2021

AbstractIn the current paper, we report the theoretical study of the ability of the β‐cyclodextrin as encapsulate Vitamin B3 forming the inclusion complex systems. Due to its critical physiological roles, the inclusion phenomenon is increasingly an important area to protect drugs against conjugation and metabolic inactivation. The system (NA@β‐CD) formed by 1 : 1 host‐guest stoichiometry of Nicotinic acid (NA) and β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) was investigated by using the density functional theory when including the dispersion correction with the B97‐D3 functional and 6‐31G* basis set in water using a continuum solvent model (SMD) and in a vacuum. In the docking process, two models of complications were assessed. Moreover, in order to examine the quality and the nature of the bond forming during the complexation process, the natural orbital analysis (NBO) and Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecule Analysis (QTAIM) were employed. The Non‐Covalent Interaction Analysis (NCI) illustrates H‐bonds, Van der Waals and steric repulsion. The Energy Decomposition Analysis (EDA) results reveal that dispersion ΔEdisp interaction followed by electrostatic attraction ΔEelstat contributes mainly to the attractive terms.
Hierarchical Triple‐Shelled MnCo2O4 Hollow Microspheres as High‐Performance Anode Materials for Potassium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Huang Ruling , Lin Jiao , Zhou Jiahui , Fan Ersha , Zhang Xixue , Chen Renjie , Wu Feng , Li Li 
Published: February 2021

AbstractMetal oxide anode materials generally possess high theoretical capacities. However, their further development in potassium‐ion batteries (KIBs) is limited by self‐aggregation and large volume fluctuations during charge/discharge processes. Herein, hierarchical MnCo2O4 hollow microspheres (ts‐MCO HSs) with three porous shells that consist of aggregated primary nanoparticles are fabricated as anode materials of KIBs. The porous shells are in favor of reducing the diffusion path of K‐ions and electrons, and thus the rate performance can be enhanced. The unique triple‐shelled hollow structure is believed to provide sufficient contact between electrolyte and metal oxides, possess additional active storage sites for K‐ions, and buffer the volume change during K‐ions insertion/extraction. A high specific capacity of 243 mA h g−1 at 100 mA g−1 in the 2nd cycle and a highly improved rate performance of 153 mA h g−1 at 1 A g−1 are delivered when cycled between 0.01 and 3.0 V. In addition, the transformation of substances during charging/discharging processes are intuitively demonstrated by the in situ X‐ray diffraction strategy for the first time, which further proves that the unique structure of ts‐MCO HSs with three porous shells can significantly enhance the potassium ions storage performance.
Engineering Nano‐Therapeutics to Boost Adoptive Cell Therapy for Cancer Treatment
Authors: Zheng Chunxiong , Zhang Jiabin , Chan Hon Fai , Hu Hanze , Lv Shixian , Na Ning , Tao Yu , Li Mingqiang 
Published: February 2021

AbstractAlthough adoptive transfer of therapeutic cells to cancer patients is demonstrated with great success and fortunately approved for the treatment of leukemia and B‐cell lymphoma, potential issues, including the unclear mechanism, complicated procedures, unfavorable therapeutic efficacy for solid tumors, and side effects, still hinder its extensive applications. The explosion of nanotechnology recently has led to advanced development of novel strategies to address these challenges, facilitating the design of nano‐therapeutics to improve adoptive cell therapy (ACT) for cancer treatment. In this review, the emerging nano‐enabled approaches, that design multiscale artificial antigen‐presenting cells for cell proliferation and stimulation in vitro, promote the transducing efficiency of tumor‐targeting domains, engineer therapeutic cells for in vivo imaging, tumor infiltration, and in vivo functional sustainability, as well as generate tumoricidal T cells in vivo, are summarized. Meanwhile, the current challenges and future perspectives of the nanostrategy‐based ACT for cancer treatment are also discussed in the end.
Seismic performance of precast shear wall–slab joint with and without outer longitudinal reinforcement
Authors: Wang Huajie , Qian Hongliang , Guo Haishan , Wang Dongyan , Liu Kang , Nian Fuxu 
Published: February 2021

SummaryComposite slabs without outer longitudinal reinforcement are a new option for assembled shear walls, which are easier to be transported. However, their performance, especially their seismic behavior, which is crucial to assembled structures, is still unclear. Furthermore, the effect of whether an additional reinforcement is incorporated, and its length on seismic behavior is also unclear. Therefore, it is necessary to experimentally investigate the seismic behavior of precast shear wall–slab joints without outer longitudinal reinforcement (PNOJ). Five hysteresis test schemes were designed in detail, including a precast joint with outer longitudinal reinforcement (POJ), three precast joints without outer longitudinal reinforcement (PNOJ), and a cast‐in situ shear wall–slab joint (CJ). Several critical technologies of production, installation, and connection were systematically summarized. The critical indicators of hysteresis and energy dissipation capacity were revealed by analyzing test phenomena and results. The results demonstrated that the PNOJ had great seismic behavior by incorporating additional reinforcement. Meanwhile, the joint seismic behavior was improved by increasing the additional reinforcement length. As compared to the CJ and POJ, the PNOJ demonstrated good seismic behavior and can be used as a reliable wall–slab connection of assembled reinforced concrete structures.
Questioning the monolingual norm with conceptually scored bilingual vocabulary assessments: Findings from a research–practice partnership
Authors: McClain Janna Brown , Oh Min Hyun , Mancilla‐Martinez Jeannette 
Published: February 2021

AbstractSpanish‐English bilingual learners are the fastest growing demographic in U.S. elementary schools. Yet many schools, particularly those in new immigration destination regions, continue to measure bilingual students’ vocabulary using monolingual norms. This inequitable practice makes it appear as if bilingual learners have lower language abilities compared to their monolingual peers. Use of conceptually scored bilingual vocabulary assessments allows bilingual students to more comprehensively draw from their entire linguistic repertoires to demonstrate their vocabulary knowledge—which is distributed across languages—thus allowing for a more complete understanding of their language development. As part of a research–practice partnership program, the authors collected receptive vocabulary data from Spanish‐English bilingual students from three urban elementary schools in the southern United States. A comparison of their performance on monolingual versus conceptually scored bilingual receptive vocabulary assessments demonstrates the importance of utilizing assessments that center bilingual practices as the norm. Implications are discussed, including the importance of advocating for more equitable language practices and policies.
Owner reported breathing scores, accelerometry and sleep disturbances in brachycephalic and control dogs: A pilot study
Authors: Barker David A. , Tovey Emily , Jeffery Andrea , Blackwell Emily , Tivers Michael S. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractObjectives: To compare physical activity and length and quality of sleep between brachycephalic dogs and a control population.Methods: Brachycephalic and control dogs were prospectively enrolled. Length of activity and sleep were determined via accelerometer use. Owners completed a questionnaire regarding typical daily activity, sleep patterns and an ‘owner reported breathing score (ORBS)’. One hour of normal home sleep was recorded for each dog, and a veterinary observer subjectively scored the dogs' sleep quality.Results: Twenty brachycephalic and 15 control dogs were included. There were no differences between age and weight. Owners reported brachycephalic dogs to be less active (p = 0.022) and have higher ORBS (p < 0.001) compared to control dogs. Brachycephalic dogs had increased sleep disturbances compared to control dogs (p = 0.001), and video sleep score was positively correlated with increased sleep disturbances (r2 = 0.47, p = 0.007). There were no differences in active and sleep times based on accelerometry between groups.Conclusion: Brachycephalic dogs have more disturbed sleep, which may have negative implications on welfare, but there were no differences in activity or length of sleep between groups. There is evidence that signs suggestive of brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) as assessed by ORBS is correlated with poorer sleep quality, indicating that reduced sleep quality is part of BOAS. Owners may underestimate disturbed sleep or may perceive disturbed sleep to be normal.
Equine simplified acute physiology score: Personalised medicine for the equine emergency patient
Authors: de Barros Aline de Matos Curvelo , Silva Ana Flávia Rocha , Zibordi Miriam , Spagnolo Julio David , Corrêa Rodrigo Romero , Belli Carla B. , de Camargo Maristela Martins 
Published: February 2021

Background: Scoring models are useful tools that guide the attending clinician in gauging the severity of disease evolution and in evaluating the efficacy of treatment. There are few tools available with this purpose for the non‐human patient, including horses. We aimed (i) to adapt the simplified acute physiology score 3 (SAPS‐3) model for the equine species, reaching a margin of accuracy greater than 75% in the calculation of the probability of survival/death and (ii) to build a decision tree that helps the attending veterinarian in assessment of the clinical evolution of the equine patient.Methods: From an initial pool of 5568 medical records from University‐based Veterinary Hospitals, a final cohort of 1000 was further mined manually for data extraction. A set of 19 variables were evaluated and tested by five machine learning data mining algorithms.Results: The final scoring model, named EqSAPS for equine simplified acute physiology score, reached 91.83% of correct estimates (post hoc) for probability of death within 24 hours upon hospitalization. The area under receiver operating characteristic curve for outcome ‘death’ was 0.742, while for ‘survival’ was 0.652. The final decision tree was able to refine prognosis of patients whose EqSAPS score suggested ‘death’.Conclusion: EqSAPS is a useful tool to gauge the severity of the clinical presentation of the equine patient.
Integrating applied parasitological and molecular epidemiological methodologies to investigate the capacity of Haemonchus contortus to over‐winter on pasture in Scotland
Authors: Bartley David J. , Andrews Leigh , Melville Lynsey A. , McBean David , Skuce Philip , Morrison Alison A. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackground: The Barber's Pole worm, Haemonchus contortus is of major concern to sheep producers, particularly in the southern hemisphere. This nematode is also commonly found in many sheep flocks in Northern hemisphere countries but is generally not associated with acute clinical pathology. As with other nematode species, the pattern of disease is changing in the United Kingdom. Changes in management practices, climate, anthelmintic resistance prevalence and parasite adaptation are possible factors thought to be responsible for this.Methods: In the present study, a combination of traditional applied parasitological and molecular species identification techniques were used to assess the capability of H. contortus infective larvae to over‐winter on pasture and infect lambs in early spring.Results: Adult and inhibited H. contortus worms were identified in previously worm‐free tracer lambs that had grazed contaminated pasture in late winter/early spring (February/March).Conclusion: The study illustrated the benefit of using classical applied parasitology techniques in conjunction with molecular species identification methods to explore the epidemiology of gastro‐intestinal nematodes of livestock. This study also demonstrated that larvae were able to survive over‐winter, albeit in small numbers, and potentially contaminate pastures earlier than previously considered in northern regions of the UK.
Evaluation of Definitive Chemoradiotherapy Versus Radical Esophagectomy in Clinical T1bN0M0 Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Haneda Ryoma , Booka Eisuke , Ishii Kenjiro , Kikuchi Hirotoshi , Hiramatsu Yoshihiro , Kamiya Kinji , Ogawa Hirofumi , Yasui Hirofumi , Takeuchi Hiroya , Tsubosa Yasuhiro 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe standard treatment for patients with clinical T1bN0M0 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma is radical esophagectomy. Definitive chemoradiotherapy is regarded as a treatment option, and recently, good clinical outcomes of this treatment have been reported. This study compared prognosis after definitive chemoradiotherapy with radical esophagectomy.MethodsFrom January 2011 to December 2019, 68 consecutive patients who were diagnosed clinical T1bN0M0 squamous cell carcinoma were enrolled and investigated retrospectively. Patients were classified into two groups whether treated by surgery or definitive chemoradiotherapy. Survival outcomes were compared, and subsequent therapies after recurrence were also investigated.ResultsAmong 68 patients, 39 patients underwent surgery and 29 patients received definitive chemoradiotherapy. No significant difference was noted in overall survival between the two groups. However, the rate of 5‐year recurrence‐free survival was significantly lower in definitive chemoradiotherapy group than that of surgery group (91.1 vs. 62.7%, hazard ratio 3.976, 95% confidence interval 1.076–14.696, p = 0.039). Patients who had local recurrence after definitive chemoradiotherapy received endoscopic submucosal dissection or photodynamic therapy as salvage therapies, which resulted in no disease progression and a good prognosis.ConclusionsDefinitive chemoradiotherapy may become a promising alternative therapy comparable with radical esophagectomy in patients with clinical T1bN0M0 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Early detection of recurrence by frequent follow‐up after definitive chemoradiotherapy is important to control disease within local recurrence, and salvage therapy for local lesions could contribute to long‐term survival.
Clustering circulation in eastern Asia as a tool for exploring possible mechanisms of extreme events and sources of model error
Authors: Clark Robin T. , Zhang Lixia , Li Chaofan 
Published: February 2021

AbstractEvery summer in eastern Asia, the combined effects of complex topography, multiple potential moisture sources and a mixture of sub-tropical and mid-latitude dynamics produces an environment, in which subtle differences in spatial patterns of atmospheric circulation can profoundly affect the geographic distribution of rainfall. Understanding and quantifying these patterns is a fundamental requirement if we are to understand, predict or project rainfall events likely to cause impacts to society in the region. To help the scientific community with this task, a method is presented here, in which spatial patterns of summer sea level pressure over eastern Asia are clustered into a set of eight circulation types, with examples given of their potential use. We find that the within-season prevalence of individual circulation types exhibit a strong relationship with the seasonal progression of the summer monsoon whilst providing a spatially coherent, physical interpretation of the monsoon for all parts of eastern Asia. Beyond this, the clustering approach permits the attribution of notable rainfall anomalies in almost any location within the domain used to build the clusters. Examples are given, showing how circulation specific moisture transport anomalies in one part of China can result in anomalously dry days in another part of the country. Two further applications of the clustering approach are demonstrated using climate simulations. The first is of circulation specific model errors which can allow targeted model development. The second provides information about anomalies which are plausible, but have yet to be observed, possibly due to limitations in the observed record.
Complex skin cancer treatment requiring reconstructive plastic surgery: an interview study on the experiences and needs of patients
Authors: van Egmond Sven , Wakkee Marlies , Hoogenraad Marit , Korfage Ida J. , Mureau Marc A. M. , Lugtenberg Marjolein 
Published: February 2021

AbstractTo provide patient-centered care, it is essential to explore what patients consider important and to adjust care accordingly. This may specifically be relevant for patients with complex skin cancer, for whom the care process is often more complicated and psychological and social problems may play a larger role. The objective was to explore the experiences and needs of patients who had undergone surgical treatment by a dermatologist for a complex skin cancer with a subsequent reconstruction by a plastic surgeon. An interview study was conducted among 16 patients who had undergone surgical treatment by a dermatologist and reconstruction by a plastic surgeon for basal cell carcinoma, cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, or lentigo maligna. The interviews focused on patients’ experiences and needs regarding care using a predefined topic list. All interviews were audio-taped, transcribed verbatim and inductively analyzed using Atlas.ti. Patients reported a need for a skilled and friendly physician who tailors information and communication to their individual situation. A need for continuity of care and improved collaboration between healthcare providers was also emphasized. Furthermore, patients experienced complications and unmet expectations and expressed a need for shared decision-making at various steps throughout the treatment process (depending on age). Patients also considered completeness of tumor removal, follow-up visits with multiple specialists to be planned the same day and recognition of the psychological impact of the disease on the partner important. To improve patient-centered care for complex skin cancer patients, more efforts should be directed towards improving continuity of care and collaboration. Furthermore, it is advocated for physicians to be sensitive to the individual needs of patients and their partner and adjust information, communication and (supportive) care accordingly.