Elastic Integrative Analysis of Randomized Trial and Real-World Data for Treatment Heterogeneity Estimation

Parallel randomized trial (RT) and real-world (RW) data are becoming increasingly available for treatment evaluation. Given the complementary features of the RT and RW data, we propose a test-based elastic integrative analysis of the RT and RW data for accurate and robust estimation of the heterogeneity of treatment effect (HTE), which lies at the heart of precision medicine. When the RW data are not subject to bias, e.g., due to unmeasured confounding, our approach combines the RT and RW data for optimal estimation by exploiting semiparametric efficiency theory. Utilizing the design advantage of RTs, we construct a built-in test procedure to gauge the reliability of the RW data and decide whether or not to use RW data in an integrative analysis. We characterize the asymptotic distribution of the test-based elastic integrative estimator under local alternatives, which provides a better approximation of the finite-sample behaviors of the test and estimator when the idealistic assumption required for the RW data is weakly violated. We provide a data-adaptive procedure to select the threshold of the test statistic that promises the smallest mean square error of the proposed estimator of the HTE. Lastly, we construct an elastic confidence interval that has a good finite-sample coverage property. We apply the proposed method to characterize who can benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with stage IB non-small cell lung cancer

Biotransformation of furanic and phenolic compounds with hydrogen production in microbial electrolysis cells

Lignocellulosic biomass is an abundant, renewable energy source for biofuel production, providing an important alternative to fossil fuels. However, pretreatment of biomass for biofuel production produces furanic and phenolic compounds, contributing to the corrosiveness, instability, and toxicity of various biomass-derived streams, thus presenting a significant challenge in downstream processes and waste disposal. Microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) is an emerging bioelectrochemical technology, which converts organic wastes in the bioanode and produces H2 in the abiotic cathode. Integration of MEC in biofuel production not only offers an alternative method for waste handling, but also production of renewable H2 for the downstream hydrogenation of biomass-derived bio-oil, thus reducing the external H2 supply currently derived from natural gas (i.e., methane), a non-renewable fossil fuel. Considering that furanic and phenolic compounds are among the most problematic components of biomass-derived waste streams, it is critical to understand the biotransformation of these compounds in MEC for H2 production. This study focused on two furanic (furfural, FF; 5-hydroxymethyl furfural, HMF) and three phenolic (syringic acid, SA; vanillic acid, VA; 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, HBA) compounds, representative of predominant furan derivatives from biomass carbohydrates and phenolic acids derived from major lignin units. The objectives of this study were to: a) achieve efficient conversion of the selected furanic and phenolic compounds with H2 production in a MEC; (b) elucidate the metabolic fate of the furanic and phenolic compounds in the MEC bioanode; (c) assess the inhibitory effect of the furanic and phenolic compounds on MEC bioanode microbial processes; and (d) delineate the specific role of microorganisms in different physiological groups in the MEC bioanode. The five furanic and phenolic compounds as a mixture were utilized as the sole carbon and energy source in the MEC bioanode, resulting in cathodic H2 production at promising Coulombic efficiency (44 − 69%) and H2 yield (26 - 42%). The two furanic compounds (FF and HMF) contributed to the cathodic H2 production to a higher degree than the three phenolic compounds (SA, VA, and HBA). The biotransformation of furanic and phenolic compounds in the MEC bioanode occurred via fermentation followed by exoelectrogenesis. The fermentative transformation proceeded independently from exoelectrogenesis, but the extent of fermentation controlled the exoelectrogenic activity. The aromatic ring of SA was cleaved, resulting in acetate production, which was further used by exoelectrogens, whereas VA and HBA were transformed to catechol and phenol, respectively, without aromatic ring cleavage. The different extent of biotransformation of SA, VA, and HBA is related to the difference in their number and position of hydroxy (–OH) and methoxy (–O–CH3) substituents. The furanic and phenolic compounds inhibited exoelectrogenesis, but not fermentation in the bioanode, with IC50 values in the range of 1.9 – 3.0 g/L. The inhibition was primarily caused by the parent compounds, as opposed to their transformation products. An additive, but not synergistic inhibitory effect on exoelectrogenesis was observed with the mixture of the five parent compounds. In a continuous-flow bioanode MEC, complete transformation of the parent furanic and phenolic compounds was achieved at a short hydraulic retention time of 6 h. An increased H2 production rate was achieved by increasing the organic loading rate (OLR) or the applied voltage, but the trade-offs were lower biotransformation extent of the parent compounds, lower MEC effluent quality, and lower overall energy efficiency. The MEC anode biofilm microbial community consisted of three major phyla: Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Firmicutes. Phylogenetic analysis identified species closely related to putative exoelectrogens, furanic and phenolic degraders, and other fermentative bacteria, supporting the observed fermentative/exoelectrogenic biotransformation in the MEC bioanode. This research is the first systematic, comprehensive study on the metabolic fate, contribution to cathodic H2 production, and inhibitory effect of furanic and phenolic compounds in MECs. Results of this study can be used to guide the design and optimization of MECs converting biomass-derived waste streams to renewable H2. Reducing the discharge of organic wastes and minimizing external H2 supply, currently derived from natural gas, will promote carbon-neutral, sustainable biofuel production.Ph.D

(R)-N-(Biphenyl-4-yl)-tert-butane­sulfinamide

In the title compound, C16H19NOS, the dihedral angle between the two aromatic rings is 38.98 (8)°. The crystal structure is stabilized by N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, which link neighbouring mol­ecules into chains running parallel to the a axis

(S)-N-Phenyl-tert-butane­sulfinamide

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C10H15NOS, contains two independent mol­ecules with similar conformations. In the crystal, mol­ecules are linked in a head-to-tail fashion by N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds into chains running along the b axis. The absolute configuration was assigned on the basis of known chirality of the parent compound

(R)-N-(3-Meth­oxy­phen­yl)-tert-butane­sulfinamide

The title compound, C11H17NO2S, was obtained by the reaction of (R)-tert-butane­sulfinamide with 3-meth­oxy­phenyl bromide in toluene. In the crystal, mol­ecules inter­act head-to-tail through N—H⋯O and C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming one-dimensional chains parallel to the a axis

Pressure-induced electronic topological transition and superconductivity in topological insulator Bi2Te2.1Se0.9

Great attention has been drawn to topological superconductivity due to its potential application in topological quantum computing. Meanwhile, pressure is regarded as a powerful tool for tuning electronic structure and even inducing superconductivity in topological insulators. As a well-defined topological insulator, Bi2Te2.1Se0.9 can be a suitable candidate to search for topological superconductivity and study its intrinsic property. In this paper, we report the occurrence of superconductivity and electronic topological transition (ETT) in Bi2Te2.1Se0.9 with applied pressure. Superconductivity can be observed at 2.4 GPa with the Tconset around 6.6 K in Bi2Te2.1Se0.9 by resistance measurement, and the corresponding structure resolved by X-ray diffraction and Raman experiments doesn't change below the pressure of 8.4 GPa. Moreover, at about 3.0 GPa, the abnormal changes of c/a as well as the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of mode indicate the occurrence of electronic topological transition (ETT). These results indicate that superconductivity can be realized in doped topological insulator Bi2Te2.1Se0.9 in the low-pressure rhombohedral phase

Biochar to improve soil fertility. A review

International audienceAbstractSoil mineral depletion is a major issue due mainly to soil erosion and nutrient leaching. The addition of biochar is a solution because biochar has been shown to improve soil fertility, to promote plant growth, to increase crop yield, and to reduce contaminations. We review here biochar potential to improve soil fertility. The main properties of biochar are the following: high surface area with many functional groups, high nutrient content, and slow-release fertilizer. We discuss the influence of feedstock, pyrolysis temperature, pH, application rates, and soil types. We review the mechanisms ruling the adsorption of nutrients by biochar