bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Natural <3 nm Interbedded Gaps to Trap Target Molecules and Provide an Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Method
Authors: Qin Miao , Ge Meihong , Li Pan , Chen Siyu , Huang Guangyao , Tong Xianhong , Han Wei , Ren Delong , He Yao , Lin Dongyue , Yang Liangbao , Tian Zhongqun
Published: July 2022

To improve the sensitivity of surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) by constructing smaller hot spots and making the target molecules more accessible, a liquid–liquid interface assembly method is used to construct a three‐layer Ag nanoparticle film structure, wherein the nanoparticles between the adjacent upper and lower layers form natural smaller gaps of 1–3 nm. The target solution is pumped into these gaps using the principle of natural transpiration (the nanopump effect). The resulting hot spot density and efficiency are significantly higher than that of the normal dry‐state method. In addition, the detection limit reaches 1 amol, which is a reduction of 2–3 orders of magnitude compared to the dry‐state method. It is also demonstrated that this dynamic detection process is suitable for detecting the substance changes occurring during sperm–oocyte binding. This method therefore provides a new means for target molecules to actively enter naturally interbedded smaller gaps and provides essentially unlimited possibilities for SERS detection.
Dual‐Band Perovskite Bulk Heterojunction Self‐Powered Photodetector for Encrypted Communication and Imaging
Authors: Cao Fa , Yan Tingting , Li Ziqing , Wu Limin , Fang Xiaosheng
Published: July 2022

Self‐powered, dual‐band photodetection of electromagnetic signals promises wide photoelectric applications in imaging, communication, environmental monitoring, and rescue. However, most reported dual‐band photodetectors (PDs) based on various heterojunctions are realized by complex fabrication processes, which may introduce defects in the depletion layer. Here, first, a self‐powered dual‐band PD based on lead‐free perovskite bulk heterojunction (Cs3Bi2Br9/Cs3BiBr6) fabricated by a one‐step spatial confinement method is demonstrated. Its two peaks of self‐powered responsivities are 59.4 mA W−1 at 360 nm and 3.09 mA W−1 at 450 nm. A high on/off ratio (18881), fast response speed (rise time 200 ns; decay time 1.09 µs), high detectivity (1.2 × 1012 Jones), and cycle stability are realized under UV band, which exceeds most reported state‐of‐the‐art lead‐free halide perovskite PDs. The dual‐band PD is suitable for encrypted communication and image sensing. This research represents a new frontier in the search for novel dual‐band high‐performance PDs based on lead‐free perovskite bulk heterojunction fabricated by low‐cost and simple fabrication methods.
On the Origin of Photoluminescence Enhancement in Biicosahedral AgxAu25−x Nanoclusters (x = 0–13) and Their Application to Triplet–Triplet Annihilation Photon Upconversion
Authors: Mitsui Masaaki , Arima Daichi , Kobayashi Yuki , Lee Eunji , Niihori Yoshiki
Published: July 2022

Numerous reports hitherto show that the photoluminescence (PL) properties of metal nanoclusters (NCs) can be enhanced by alloying the metal cores. In particular, biicosahedral [AgxAu25−x(PPh3)10(SR)5Cl2]2+ (abbreviated as AgxAu25−x hereafter; with PPh3 = triphenylphosphine; SR = thiolate ligand)  NCs attract significant attention because their PL quantum yield is improved by 200 times when 13 Au atoms are replaced with Ag atoms (x = 13). In this contribution, the origin of the PL in the AgxAu25−x system and its remarkable enhancement are investigated on the basis of spectroscopic investigations of the PL behavior and its quenching by an organic fluorophore, finding that (i) the observed PL of AgxAu25−x is phosphorescent; (ii) not only Ag13Au12 but also Ag12Au13 NCs contribute to the PL; and (iii) replacing the central vertex atom of the biicosahedron with an Ag atom causes a blue shift of the triplet states, which suppresses the T1–S0 intersystem crossing and enhances the phosphorescence emission. Additionally, the results of single‐particle PL spectroscopy and defocused imaging with rotation of linearly polarized excitation light reveal that the phosphorescence transition dipole moment of Ag13Au12 exists in the long axis direction of the biicosahedron. Furthermore, the AgxAu25−x NCs can sensitize molecular triplets and efficiently induce red‐to‐blue photon upconversion via triplet–triplet annihilation.
Enhanced Emission from Defect Levels in Multilayer MoS2
Authors: Lin Yuankun , Hathaway Evan , Habis Fatimah , Wang Yuanxi , Rodriguez Roberto Gonzalez , Alnasser Khadijah , Hurley Noah , Cui Jingbiao
Published: July 2022

Realizing stimulated emission from defects in 2D‐layered semiconductors has the potential to enhance the sensitivity of characterizing their defects. However, stimulated emission from defects in layered materials presents a different set of challenges in carrier lifetime and energy level design and is not achieved so far. Here, photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and first‐principles theory are combined to reveal an anomalous PL intensity–temperature relation and strong polarization effects at a defect emission peak in annealed multilayer MoS2, suggesting defect‐based stimulated emission. The emergence of stimulated emission behavior is also controllable (by temperature) and reversible. The observed stimulated emission behavior is supported by a three‐level system involving two defect levels from chalcogen vacancies and a pump level from the conduction band edge. First‐principles calculations show that the special indirect gap that enables stimulated emission is not native to pristine bulk MoS2 and only emerges under thermal strain.
Heterovalent Doping Enabled Efficient and Stable Extrinsic Self‐Trapped Exciton Emission in Zero‐Dimensional Cesium Zinc Halides
Authors: Geng Dongling , Cai Bo , Ouyang Zuoling , Cheng Peiru , Li Bo , Zeng Haibo
Published: July 2022

Lead‐free metal halides with 0D crystal structures have stimulated the interest of researchers due to their remarkable photoelectric capabilities, long‐term stability, and environmentally friendly nature. Here, an efficient cyan‐emitting copper(I)‐doped 0D cesium zinc halide is developed via a simple solution synthesis approach and valence stabilization strategy. The broad emission band, substantial Stokes shift, and relatively long decay time all point to extrinsic self‐trapped excitons as the source of the emission. The photoluminescence quantum yield increases from 85.3% to 93.6% after codoping with Al3+ at Zn sites, which can be attributed to an increase in distortion of [CuCl4]3‐ polyhedrons caused by a decrease in local structure symmetry. Meanwhile, the environmental stability of Cu+‐Al3+ codoped samples is also boosted significantly by the distortion‐assisted charge compensation effect. Density functional theory calculations and investigations of temperature‐dependent photoluminescence behaviors back up the luminescence mechanism proposed above. The current study provides new possibilities for developing copper(I)‐relevant metal halides with high luminescence efficiency and excellent environmental stability.
Optical and Thermoelectric Behavior of Phagraphene with Site‐Specific B‐N Co‐Doping
Authors: Ghosh Mainak , Ghosal Supriya , Jana Debnarayan
Published: July 2022

Phagraphene is a theoretically predicted hybridized, se‐mimetallic allotrope of graphene. The semimetallic nature of phagraphene is robust against external strain and B‐N co‐doping. Being experimentally realized in a nanoribbon form, this is quite fascinating in the present scenario. In this theoretical study, optical and thermoelectric properties of phagraphene and its site‐dependent B‐N co‐doped analogous configurations are critically investigated employing density functional theory. As a consequence of inherent rectangular symmetry and direction‐dependent behavior of the structures, anisotropic optical responses are obtained. The strain‐induced optical responses further confirm these observations. Different positions of the optical peaks for distinct configurations lead to an elegant way of structural identifications. The absorption spectra of the structures reveal that low‐energy optical transitions take place due to orbitals. Besides, static dielectric constant and refractive index are enhanced for the co‐doped structures. Furthermore, the thermoelectric responses of the structures are explored by adapting the semi‐classical Boltzmann transport equation. Importantly, a significantly higher figure of merit has been perceived, which is quite uncommon among graphene allotropes.
A New Multi‐Phase Field Model for the Electrochemical Corrosion of Aluminum Alloys
Authors: Chen Qingqing , Li Zuosheng , Tang Sai , Liu Wensheng , Ma Yunzhu
Published: July 2022

A profound understanding on the corrosion kinetics and mechanisms is crucial to help improve the corrosion resistance of alloys. Corrosion of aluminum alloys is very complex due to the interplay among a bunch of electrochemical reactions, and the influences of diversified precipitates. In this work, a new multi‐phase field method is constructed to quantitatively analyze the corrosion kinetics of aluminum alloys, and a semi‐implicit algorithm is developed to solve the numerical divergence resulted by the terms of reactions in concentration equations. Then, this new method is successfully used to simulate the pitting processes in the cases of a uniform matrix, a polycrystalline matrix, and a non‐uniform matrix with secondary phase for aluminum alloys. More generally, the framework of this multi‐phase field model can potentially be used to study the corrosion of other alloy systems, and microstructure evolution of a broad range of electrochemistry processes.
Design and Testing of Autonomous Chargeable and Wearable Sweat/Ionic Liquid‐Based Supercapacitors
Authors: Selvam Samayanan , Park Young‐Kwon , Yim Jin‐Heong
Published: July 2022

This work demonstrates ionic liquid electrolyte‐inscribed sweat‐based dual electrolyte functioning supercapacitors capable of self‐charging through sweat electrolyte function under a non‐enzymatic route. The supercapacitor electrodes are fabricated from TREN (tris(2‐aminoethyl)amine), poly‐3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene, and a graphene oxide mixture with copper‐mediated chelate, and this polymer‐GO‐metal chelate film can produce excellent energy harvest/storage performance from a sweat and ionic liquid integrated electrolyte system. The fabricated device is specifically designed to reduce deterioration using a typical planar structure. In the presence of sweat with ionic liquid, the dual electrolyte mode supercapacitor exhibits a maximum areal capacitance of 3600 mF cm−2, and the energy density is 450 mWhcm−2, which is more than 100 times greater than that from previously reported supercapacitors. The supercapacitors were fabricated/attached directly to textile fabrics as well as ITO‐PET (Indium tin oxide (ITO)‐polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film to study their performance on the human body during exercise. The self‐charging performance with respect to sweat wetting time for the sweat@ionic liquid dual electrolyte showed that the supercapacitor performed well on both fabric and film. These devices exhibited good response for pH effect and biocompatibility, and as such present a promising multi‐functional energy system as a stable power source for next‐generation wearable smart electronics.
2D Magnetic Heterostructures and Emergent Spintronic Devices
Authors: Hao Qinghua , Dai Hongwei , Cai Menghao , Chen Xiaodie , Xing Yuntong , Chen Hongjing , Zhai Tianyou , Wang Xia , Han Jun‐Bo
Published: July 2022

The discovery of 2D intrinsic magnetic materials with ultrathin structures and smooth surfaces has enabled the investigation of fundamental magnetism physics and creation of spintronic devices. By vertically stacking 2D magnetic materials with other magnetic or nonmagnetic materials, various magnetic heterostructures and spintronic devices can be developed. Recent progress in emergent 2D magnetic heterostructures and spintronic devices is reviewed. First, various typical 2D magnetic materials and methods for constructing and characterizing magnetic heterostructures are briefly introduced. Then, magnetic heterostructures composed of magnetic/nonmagnetic and magnetic/magnetic materials are summarized, and recent advances in spintronic devices fabricated using magnetic heterostructures and the device performance are presented. Finally, an outlook for the future development of 2D magnetic heterostructures and spintronic devices is presented.
Soft Biomaterials Based Flexible Artificial Synapse for Neuromorphic Computing
Authors: Guo Tao , Ge Jiawei , Sun Bai , Pan Kangqiang , Pan Zhao , Wei Lan , Yan Yong , Zhou Y. Norman , Wu Yimin A.
Published: July 2022

Artificial synapses are vital for neuromorphic computing chips that can potentially revolutionize von Neumann systems. Biomaterials‐based bio‐memristors have been investigated as synaptic emulators to develop neuromorphic computing chips due to their biocompatibility, degradability, flexibility, and low costs. However, the existing biomaterials‐based artificial synapses suffer from limited biological synapse functions, insufficient reliability, and poor endurance. Particularly, protein‐based artificial synapse with stable synaptic performances of long‐term potentiation/depression (LTP/LTD) for neuromorphic computing is challenging. Here, the soft material of egg albumen@CuO are employed to develop an artificial synapse. The device can mimic bio‐synaptic functionalities, including the excitatory postsynaptic current (EPSC), spike‐number‐dependent plasticity (SNDP), paired‐pulse facilitation (PPF), and LTP/LTD. High accuracy of 95% has been obtained by the neuromorphic computing simulation for pattern recognition. Combining with density functional theory calculations, multiphysics simulations, and electrical measurements, the analog resistive switching mechanism is attributed to electron hopping. In addition, the device is flexible and can be used to develop wearable systems. The results shed light on the biocompatible and wearable neuromorphic computing chips.
Photo‐Synaptic Oxide Transistors with Al2O3/SiOx Stacked Gate Dielectric Exhibiting 1024 Conduction States with Good Linearity
Authors: Lim Jung Wook , Park Min A. , Kim Jieun
Published: July 2022

TiO2‐based photo‐synaptic transistors employing a stacked SiOX/Al2O3 gate dielectric are fabricated. The trapped charges at the interface between the gate dielectric and the channel induce a channel current threshold shift that displays synaptic behavior. When a positive gate voltage pulse is applied, the transfer curve shifts positively. In contrast, the curve shifts negatively under 365 nm wavelength UV pulses. The magnitude of the threshold shift is dependent on the optical pulse time. A 5 ms optical pulse shifts the transfer curve to the negative direction but the semiconducting properties of the channel are maintained. Increasing the optical pulse time to 0.5 s causes the channel to exhibit metallic behavior. When optical and electrical pulses are applied alternately, reversible shifts between the metallic and semiconducting states can be induced. The pulse‐paired facilitation time constants of the device for an optical pulse stimuli of 2 ms are 0.9 s and 26.6 s, verifying excellent photo‐synaptic properties. Short‐term plasticity measurements revealed 1024 distinctly separate conduction states with good linearity. Synaptic potentiation and depression are simulated by applying a continuous supply of optical pulses followed by an idle dark condition and good symmetric behavior is observed.
Electrode Engineering in MoS2 MOSFET: Different Semiconductor/Metal Interfaces
Authors: Li Yang , Zhang Xisai , Duan Xinpei , Niu Wencheng , Zhao Shengjie , He Xiaobo , Huang Hao , Liu Xingqiang , Zou Xuming , Li Lei , Shan Fukai , Yang Zhenyu
Published: July 2022

The formation of Ohmic contact between metal electrode and 2D semiconductor channel is considered a key factor for performance improvement of 2D metal–oxide–semiconductor field‐effect transistors (MOSFET). However, the Schottky barrier at the metal electrode/2D semiconductor interfaces cannot be lowered effectively due to the pinning effect of Fermi levels, which makes it hard to obtain lower Ohmic contact resistance. Until now, although physical transfer metal electrode or inserted tunneling layer has been reported to get rid of the Fermi‐level pinning effect, these different designs of electrode engineering are not systematically compared. To serve better Ohmic contact, three different designs of electrode engineering are employed in 2D MoS2 MOSFET: evaporating Ag electrode on MoS2, transferring MoS2 to Ag electrode, and inserting ultrathin AlOx tunneling layer. Our experimental results demonstrate that the transferring MoS2 to Ag electrode in 2D MoS2 MOSFET can obtain the lowest contact resistance and Schottky barrier of 0.45 Ωcm and 12.8 meV, respectively. On this basis, photodiodes with obvious rectifying behavior are fabricated using schemes of electrode engineering, due to their different Schottky barrier high. The detailed contrastive analysis in our three different designs of electrode engineering can provide valuable guidance to optimize the performance of 2D semiconductor MOSFET.
Boosting Charge Carrier Mobilities in Upgraded Metallurgical Grade Silicon by Phosphorous Diffusion Gettering
Authors: Revuelta Sergio , Dasilva-Villanueva Nerea , Fuertes Marrón David , del Cañizo Carlos , Cánovas Enrique
Published: July 2022

Herein, it is demonstrated how the carrier mobility and carrier lifetime of upgraded‐metallurgical grade silicon (UMG‐Si), a feedstock alternative to electronic‐grade, high‐purity polysilicon dominating photovoltaic technology, can be largely improved upon the gettering action of industrially compatible phosphorous diffusion gettering (PDG) process at the wafer level. The results, based on ultrafast THz spectroscopy and inductively coupled photoconductive decay measurements, show outstanding increments in the carrier lifetime of PDG‐treated multi‐crystalline UMG‐Si wafers from 50 ps to 25 μs and a boost in intra‐grain charge carrier mobility from 283 ± 37 up to 726 ± 23 cm2 Vs−1. Most remarkably, the latter figure parallels the carrier mobility observed in monocrystalline wafers manufactured from polysilicon, thereby demonstrating the effectiveness of a simple pre‐conditioning step in upgrading the electronic properties of UMG‐Si up to the device level.
Deep Learning for Automatic Detection of Recurrent Retinal Detachment after Surgery Using Ultra‐Widefield Fundus Images: A Single‐Center Study
Authors: Zhou Wen-Da , Dong Li , Zhang Kai , Wang Qian , Shao Lei , Yang Qiong , Liu Yue-Ming , Fang Li-Jian , Shi Xu-Han , Zhang Chuan , Zhang Rui-Heng , Li He-Yan , Wu Hao-Tian , Wei Wen-Bin
Published: July 2022

It is important to detect recurrent retinal detachment (RD) among patients after retinal reattachment surgery. The application of deep learning (DL) methods to detect recurrent RD with ultra‐widefield (UWF) fundus images is promising, but the feasibility and efficiency have not been studied. A DL system with ResNet‐50 and Inception‐ResNet‐V2 is developed and internally validated to identify recurrent RD and retina reattachment after surgery. The performance is further validated and compared with human ophthalmologists in a prospective dataset assessed by area under curve (AUC), accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity. Five hundred fifty‐four UWF fundus images from 173 RD patients (mean [standard deviation] age: 39.2 ± 16.2 years; male: 115 [66.5%]) are used to develop the DL system. DL shows AUCs of 0.912 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.855–0.968) and 0.906 (95% CI: 0.818–0.995) for the two models. Eighty‐nine UWF fundus images from 23 RD patients (mean [standard deviation] age: 31.4 ± 12.3 years; male: 15 [65.2%]) are collected as prospective dataset. DL also shows the ability to detect recurrent RD with the AUCs of 0.929 and 0.930 for the two models, respectively. DL reaches a similar and even better diagnostic performance than junior ophthalmologists and performs much better than medical students.
Correlation of age and the diameter of the cervical nerve roots C5 and C6 during the first 2 years of life analyzed by high‐resolution ultrasound imaging
Authors: van der Linde Jacoba , Jenny Carole , Hundsberger Thomas , Broser Philip J.
Published: July 2022

Aim

To analyze the increase in diameter of the nerve roots C5 and C6 in early childhood.

Methods

The nerve roots of 56 children aged 0 days to 10 years (47 younger than 2 years) were examined by high‐resolution ultrasound imaging. The correlation of diameter and age was statistically tested and a logarithmic regression analysis was performed to develop a logarithmic growth model.

Results

The increase in nerve root diameter is greatest during the first 2 years of life and then the growth rate decreases steadily. The relationship between age and diameter follows a logarithmic curve (p < 10–8).

Interpretation

The main increase in the diameter of the nerve roots happens in the first 2 years of life. Comparing data from a previous study, our data also suggest that the maturation of the proximal part of the median nerve is comparable to the maturation of its distal segments. This suggests a synchronous maturation of the axons and myelin sheath for the whole extent of the nerve, from the radix to its very distal part.

What This Paper Adds

Normative values for the size of the cervical nerve roots C5 and C6; an insight into the maturation of the proximal parts of the peripheral nervous system; and the correlation between age and cervical root diameter.
Influence of dexmedetomidine on postoperative cognitive dysfunction in the elderly: A meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Yu Hui , Kang Hui , Fan Jingxiu , Cao Ge , Liu Bin
Published: July 2022

Introduction

Dexmedetomidine (Dex) is suggested to be neuroprotective. However, influence of Dex on postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) in the elderly remains unknown.

Methods

We performed a meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the effect of Dex on POCD. Relevant studies were obtained by search of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane's Library databases. A random‐effect model was used to pool the results.

Results

Fourteen RCTs including 1626 adults of 60 years or older who received surgery with general anesthesia were included. Because methodologically diverse scales were used for POCD, eight RCTs with POCD diagnosed with Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE) were included in the meta‐analysis, while the remaining six RCTs with POCD diagnosed with other scales were qualitative synthesized. Pooled results of RCTs with MMSE showed that Dex significantly reduced the incidence of POCD (risk ratio: 0.47, 95% confidence interval: 0.37–0.60, p < 0.001) with no significant heterogeneity (I2 = 0%) or publication bias (p for Egger's regression test = 0.579). For the remaining six RCTs with POCD diagnosed with other scales, three of them showed that Dex was associated with a significantly lower incidence of POCD, while the other three RCTs did not show a significant difference.

Conclusions

Dex is associated with a reduced risk of POCD in elderly patients receiving surgeries with general anesthesia, and the results were mainly obtained in studies with POCD diagnosed with MMSE. Based on these findings, Dex may be considered as a preventative measure for POCD in elderly patients.
Effects of toxic apolipoprotein E fragments on Tau phosphorylation and cognitive impairment in neonatal mice under sevoflurane anesthesia
Authors: Yu Yang , Yang Man , Zhuang Xiaoli , Pan Jiacheng , Zhao Yue , Yu Yonghao
Published: July 2022

Background

Anesthesia induces Tau phosphorylation and cognitive impairment in young, but not adult, mice. Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) may play a protective role in neuronal activity and injury repair, whereas its toxic fragments are reported to induce neurodegeneration and neurocognitive impairment in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Therefore, we set out to test the hypothesis that the difference in ApoE fragments, but not the full‐length ApoE, contributes to the difference in Tau phosphorylation and neurocognitive functions following sevoflurane anesthesia in young mice.

Methods

Sevoflurane was administered to wild‐type (WT), ApoE‐knockout (ApoE‐KO), ApoE3‐targeted replacement (ApoE3 expresses both full‐length and fragmented ApoE), and ApoE2‐targeted replacement (ApoE2 only expresses full‐length ApoE) mice. The mRNA and protein levels of ApoE, phosphorylated Tau (pTau), and cognitive function were tested in the mice.

Results

Sevoflurane anesthesia enhanced ApoE mRNA, total ApoE, full‐length ApoE, ApoE fragments, Tau phosphorylation (AT8 and PHF1), and cognitive impairment in young mice, but not in adult mice. ApoE2, but not ApoE3 or ApoE‐KO, mice showed reduced sevoflurane‐induced pTau elevation and cognitive impairment.

Conclusion

These data suggest that elevated ApoE fragments rather than full‐length ApoE might be one of the underlying mechanisms of age‐dependent Tau phosphorylation and cognitive impairment in young mice following sevoflurane anesthesia.
Which diversity measures best capture public company value?
Authors: Foster Benjamin P. , Manikas Andrew S. , Kroes James R.
Published: July 2022

Prior research has shown that companies' diversity efforts lead to improved company performance and market value. However, measuring and comparing diversity is a challenge for firms since there is not a comprehensive, universally accepted method to measure firm diversity. This study evaluates three publicly available proxy measures (the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's Corporate Equality Index (CEI) ratings and Bloomberg's environmental, social, and governance (ESG) scores, and a Board of Directors gender diversity index) that report on various aspects of firm diversity to assess which are most closely associated with long‐term company value using panel regression. We find that higher CEI ratings and Bloomberg's ESG scores are significantly associated with higher Tobin's q levels. A Granger causality analysis found evidence that diversity efforts at firms lead to higher future market performance, not that firms with better market performance are more likely to increase their diversity.
Toward a “modern coexistence theory” for the discrete and spatial
Authors: Ellner Stephen P. , Snyder Robin E. , Adler Peter B. , Hooker Giles
Published: July 2022

The usual theoretical condition for coexistence is that each species in a community can increase when it is rare (mutual invasibility). Traditional coexistence theory implicitly assumes that the invading species is common enough that we can ignore demographic stochasticity but rare enough that it does not compete with itself, even after it has reached a stationary spatial distribution. However, short‐distance dispersal of discrete individuals leads to locally dense population clusters, and existing theory breaks down. We have an intuition that when we account for invader–invader competition, shorter‐range dispersal should reduce the invader's ability to escape competition, but exactly how does this translate into lower population growth? And how will invader discreteness affect outcomes? We need a way of partitioning the contributions to coexistence, but current modern coexistence theory (MCT) does not apply under these conditions. Here we present a computationally based partitioning method to quantify the contributions to coexistence from different mechanisms, as in MCT. We also build up an intuition for how invader clumping and discreteness will affect these contributions by analyzing a case study, a lattice‐based spatial lottery model. We first consider fluctuation‐dependent coexistence, partitioning the contributions of variable environment, variable competition, demographic stochasticity, and their correlations and interactions. Our second example examines fluctuation‐independent coexistence maintained by a fecundity–survival trade‐off, and partitions the contributions to coexistence from interspecific differences in fecundity, in mortality, and in dispersal. We find that demographic stochasticity harms an invader, but only slightly. Localized invader dispersal, on the other hand, can have a strong effect. When invaders are more clumped, they compete with each other more intensely when rare, so they too become limited by environment‐competition covariance. More invader clumping also means that variation in competition changes from helping the invader to harming it. More broadly, invader clumping is likely to weaken any coexistence mechanism that relies on the invader escaping competition from the resident, because invader clumping means that the resident is no longer the only source of competition.
Sociodemographic and geographic differences in the US epidemiology of autoimmune hepatitis with and without cirrhosis
Authors: Bittermann Therese , Lewis James D. , Levy Cynthia , Goldberg David S.
Published: July 2022

Background and Aims:

Data on the epidemiology of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) in the United States are limited. This study investigated the sociodemographic and geographic factors associated with AIH incidence and prevalence with and without cirrhosis.

Approach and Results:

In a retrospective cohort of adults in the Optum Clinformatics Data Mart (2009–2018), we identified AIH cases using a validated claims‐based algorithm. Incidence and prevalence were compared between sociodemographic subgroups. Logistic regression evaluated the association of US Census Division with AIH incidence and the factors associated with incident AIH with cirrhosis. From 2009 to 2018, the age‐ and sex‐standardized prevalence of AIH in the Optum cohort was 26.6 per 100,000 persons with an incidence of 4.0 per 100,000 person‐years. AIH incidence increased earlier among Hispanics (age 50–59 years) and later among Asians (≥80 years). Adjusted AIH incidence was higher in the Mountain Division (odds ratio [OR] 1.17) and lower in the Pacific (OR 0.68), Middle Atlantic (OR 0.81), and West North Central Divisions (OR 0.86 vs. East North Central; p < 0.001). Male sex (OR 1.31, p = 0.003), Black race (OR 1.32, p = 0.022), and Hispanic ethnicity (OR 1.37 vs. non‐Hispanic White, p = 0.009) were associated with incident AIH with cirrhosis. Incident AIH with cirrhosis was greater in the West South Central Division (OR 1.30 vs. South Atlantic; p = 0.008).

Conclusions:

AIH epidemiology differs according to sociodemographic and geographic factors in the United States. Studies are needed to determine the genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors underlying the heterogeneity in AIH risk and outcomes.
Low‐dose aspirin use in the first trimester of pregnancy and odds of congenital anomalies: A meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Garza‐Galvan Maria E. , Ferrigno Ana S. , Campos‐Zamora Melissa , Bain Paul A. , Easter Sarah Rae , Kim Jimin , Figueras Francesc , Farber Michaela K. , Lumbreras‐Marquez Mario I.
Published: July 2022

Background

Daily low‐dose aspirin (LDA) is recommended in high‐risk pregnancies. However, its safety profile in the first trimester has not been well documented.

Objectives

To determine if LDA exposure during the first trimester of pregnancy is associated with higher odds of congenital structural anomalies.

Search Strategy

PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and ClinicalTrials.gov were systematically searched.

Selection Criteria

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that assigned participants to LDA (≤150 mg) or placebo/no intervention at less than 14 weeks of pregnancy were eligible.

Data Collection and Analysis

Random‐effects models were performed using the inverse‐variance method to calculate pooled effect sizes. Quality of evidence was appraised according to Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) criteria.

Main Results

Eight RCTs that included 7564 participants assigned to receive daily LDA and 7670 participants that served as controls were analyzed. Low‐certainty evidence showed no significant difference in the odds of congenital anomalies (odds ratio 0.87, 95% confidence interval 0.62–1.23, I2 = 0%).

Conclusions

In this meta‐analysis, there is no evidence to suggest safety concerns regarding LDA teratogenicity. However, given the overall low quality of evidence, further research (e.g. individual participant data meta‐analysis) is needed to confirm LDA safety profile.
COVID‐19 vaccine and pregnancy outcomes: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Carbone Luigi , Trinchillo Maria Giuseppina , Di Girolamo Raffaella , Raffone Antonio , Saccone Gabriele , Iorio Giuseppe Gabriele , Gabrielli Olimpia , Maruotti Giuseppe Maria
Published: July 2022

Objectives

To explore perinatal outcomes in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2)‐vaccinated pregnant women compared with unvaccinated counterparts.

Methods

Search was conducted using Web of Science, Scopus, ClinicalTrial.gov, MEDLINE, Embase, OVID, and Cochrane Library as electronic databases. We included observational studies evaluating pregnant women undergoing SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccination and compared pregnancy and perinatal outcomes with those in unvaccinated women. Categorical variables were assessed using odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI), whereas for continuous variables, the results were expressed as mean difference with their 95% CI. All analyses were performed by adopting the random effect model of DerSimonian and Laird.

Results

There was no difference in the probability of having a small‐for‐gestational‐age fetus (OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.85–1.09; P = 0.570), but we observed a reduced probability of a non‐reassuring fetal monitoring, a reduced gestational age at delivery, and a reduced probability of premature delivery in vaccinated pregnant women versus unvaccinated ones.

Conclusion

The probability of small for gestational age is similar between vaccinated and unvaccinated pregnant women, and the former also had a slightly reduced rate of premature delivery.
Risk factors analysis of recurrent disease after treatment with a loop electrosurgical excision procedure for high‐grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia
Authors: Ding Ting , Li Lin , Duan Ruiqi , Chen Yun , Yang Bowen , Xi Mingrong
Published: July 2022

Objective

To evaluate the risk factors of recurrent high‐grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or worse (CIN2+) after loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP).

Methods

This retrospective study included patients with histopathologically confirmed CIN2/3 who underwent LEEP in 2015–2020. Cox regression analysis was used to evaluate the risk factors of recurrence.

Results

Recurrent CIN2+ was found in 268 patients after LEEP (268/4369, recurrence rate, 6.1%). High‐risk (hr‐) HPV infection (hazard ratio [HR] 12.09, 95% confidence interval [CI] 7.78–18.79), margin status (HR 6.48, 95% CI 4.75–8.84), baseline diagnosis (HR 1.45, 95% CI 1.08–1.95), smoking (HR 3.17, 95% CI 2.27–4.43), and immunosuppression (HR 1.96, 95% CI 1.33–2.91) were significant independent risk factors of recurrence. HPV16 (HR 3.61, 95% CI 2.43–5.37), HPV33 (HR 2.62, 95% CI 1.12–6.12), and HPV52 (HR 1.61, 95% CI 1.02–2.55) infection showed a higher risk of recurrence. High‐risk HPV had the highest accuracy (sensitivity 88.5%; negative predictive values 98.7%) in predicting recurrence compared with liquid‐based cytology test and margins.

Conclusion

Given that positive margins present a higher risk, wide excision may be required to avoid residual lesions. More attention should be paid to the correlation between recurrence and hr‐HPV genotypes. After treatment for high‐grade CIN, HPV‐based testing is recommended at 6 months. Timely identification of high‐risk factors enables risk stratification, and enables individual management or individual follow‐up and recall strategies.
Da Vinci–assisted laparoscopic removal of an intrauterine device in the bladder
Authors: Moy Benjamin M. , Andino Juan J. , Sadeghi Zhina , Gupta Priyanka
Published: July 2022

Women with concerns for migratory intrauterine devices based on examination or imaging and who present with genitourinary symptoms should be evaluated for device transmigration.
COVID‐19 vaccination uptake among pregnant individuals in a middle‐income setting
Authors: Rodriguez‐Sibaja Maria J. , Acevedo‐Gallegos Sandra , Campos‐Zamora Melissa , Arce‐Padilla Ligia G. , Hernandez‐Reguero Jose L. , Lumbreras‐Marquez Mario I.
Published: July 2022

Synopsis

Overall rate of COVID‐19 vaccination during pregnancy was strikingly low in this middle‐income setting. Vaccine uptake was more likely among individuals with high‐risk pregnancies.
CXCL9 Predicts the Risk of Osteoporotic Hip Fracture in a Prospective Cohort of Chinese Men—A Matched Case–Control Study
Authors: Phan Quang Tien , Chua Kevin Yiqiang , Jin Aizhen , Winkler Christoph , Koh Woon-Puay
Published: July 2022

Recent experimental work has identified CXCL9 as a promoter for the differentiation of osteoclast progenitors into osteoclasts, with resultant bone resorption. However, no human study has validated an association between this chemokine and osteoporosis or fracture risk. We conducted a matched case–control study nested in the prospective, population-based Singapore Chinese Health Study. Fifty-five men and 119 women with incident hip fractures, occurring median 6.2 years after blood collection, were matched individually to controls by age at recruitment, sex, and duration of blood storage. Serum chemokines, CXCL9 and CXCL10, were measured using immunoassays. Multivariable conditional logistic regression models that included age at blood collection, body mass index, smoking, and diabetes as covariates were used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for association with hip fracture risk. Predictive utility of chemokine for hip fracture risk was examined by comparing area under receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC) between prognostic models with and without the chemokine. Increasing CXCL9 levels were associated with increasing hip fracture risk in men but not in women (pinteraction = 0.002); comparing extreme quartiles, the OR (95% CI) in the highest quartile was 10.35 (1.90–56.39) in men (ptrend = 0.002) but 1.46 (0.59–3.60) in women (ptrend = 0.32). Adding CXCL9 to a prognostic model that already incorporated age and other risk factors improved the AUC (95% CI) from 0.65 (0.55–0.76) to 0.74 (0.65–0.83) for the predictive utility of hip fractures in men but not in women. Conversely, the association between CXCL10 and hip fracture risk was not statistically significant in either sex. © 2022 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Quality of life, functional impairment and continuous performance task event‐related potentials (ERPs) in young adults with ADHD and autism: A twin study
Authors: Aydin Ümit , Capp Simone J. , Tye Charlotte , Colvert Emma , Lau‐Zhu Alex , Rijsdijk Frühling , Palmer Jason , McLoughlin Gráinne
Published: July 2022

Background

Young adulthood is a key developmental period for understanding outcomes of childhood onset attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism. Measurement of functional impairment and quality of life (QoL) can provide important information on the real‐life challenges associated with these conditions. Event‐related potential (ERP) measures from the continuous performance task (CPT) have long been identified as altered in ADHD and autism but the role of these functions in the aetiological pathway to the disorders and associated impact on quality of life in young adulthood is unknown.

Method

We investigated the relationships between ADHD and autism, functional impairment, quality of life, and ERP measures from the cued CPT (CPT‐OX) in a young adult twin sample (566 participants aged 22.43 ± 0.96 years old).

Results

We observed significant phenotypic correlations between ADHD/autism and lower quality of life with specific genetic overlap between ADHD and physical health, psychological, and environmental aspects. We found significant phenotypic and genetic correlations between ADHD and functional impairment in all domains, as well as between autism and impairment in social functioning and lower impairment in risk‐taking. Both ADHD and autism were associated with attenuated amplitude of inhibitory and proactive control ERPs, with large genetic contributions to the overlap. We also found significant phenotypic correlations between these ERP measures and Weiss Functional Impairment Rating Scale (WFIRS) and QoL.

Conclusion

This is the first study to investigate the phenotypic and genetic relationships between ADHD and autism, functional impairment, quality of life and ERP measures in young adulthood. Our findings could represent a step towards identifying ERP measures that are related to behaviour in the absence of overt symptoms.
Structure‐guided preparation of fuctional oil rich in 1,3‐diacylglycerols and linoleic acid from Camellia oil by combi‐lipase
Authors: Huang Chuanqing , Lin Zepeng , Zhang Yunlong , Liu Zeyu , Tang Xiaoyue , Li Changzhu , Lin Lin , Huang Wenqian , Ye Yong
Published: July 2022

Background

Diacylglycerol (DAG)‐enriched oil has been attracting attention because of its nutritional benefits and biological functions, although the composition of its various free fatty acids (FFAs) and an unclear relationship between substrate and yield make it difficult to be identified and qualified with respect to its production. In the present study, linoleic acid‐enriched diacylglycerol (LA‐DAG) was synthesized and enriched from Camellia oil by the esterification process using the combi‐lipase Lipozyme TL IM/RM IM system.

Results

The relationship between FFA composition and DAG species productivity was revealed. The results showed that heterogeneous FFA with a major constituent (more than 50%) exhibited higher DAG productivity and inhibited triacylglycerol productivity compared to homogeneous constituents. Joint characterization by high‐performance liquid chromatography‐evaporative light scattering detection, gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry and ultra‐performance liquid chromatography‐heated electrospray ionization‐tandem mass spectrometry identified that DAG components contained dilinoleic acid acyl glyceride, linoleyl‐oleyl glyceride and dioleic acid acyl glyceride in esterification products. Under the optimum conditions, 60.4% 1,3‐DAG and 61.3% LA‐DAG in the crude product at 1 h reaction were obtained, and further purified to 81.7% LA‐DAG and 94.7% DAG via silica column chromatography.

Conclusion

The present study provides a guideline for the identification of DAG species, as well as a structure‐guided preparation method of DAG‐enriched oils via the cost‐effective combi‐lipase. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Dissolved organic matter mediates the effects of warming and inorganic nutrients on a lake planktonic food web
Authors: Hébert Marie‐Pier , Soued Cynthia , Fussmann Gregor F. , Beisner Beatrix E.
Published: July 2022

Lakes are undergoing striking physicochemical changes globally, including co‐occurring increases in dissolved organic carbon and nutrient concentrations, water color, and surface temperature. Although several experimental studies of lake browning and warming have been conducted over the last decade, knowledge remains limited as to the structural and functional responses of multitrophic plankton communities, especially under environmentally relevant physicochemical conditions. Using reverse osmosis to manipulate naturally occurring dissolved organic matter (DOM), we performed an enclosure experiment to evaluate the response of a planktonic food web (zooplankton–phytoplankton–bacterioplankton) to individual and combined increases in DOM and temperature, while accounting for changes in inorganic nutrients associated with DOM enrichment. We found that concomitant increases in DOM and temperature or inorganic nutrients elicited substantially greater biotic effects, but infrequently led to interactive effects. Overall, major plankton groups responded differently to manipulated factors, with most effects observed in standing stocks, community composition, and trophic structure, while metabolic (primary production and respiration) rates appeared to be generally less responsive. DOM enrichment had a clear stimulatory effect on phytoplankton, but weakly affected zooplankton. More specifically, DOM enrichment, alone or combined with inorganic nutrient amendments, decreased zooplankton : chlorophyll a ratios, implying a reduced trophic transfer efficiency and altered trophic structure. Warming generally increased bacterial abundance and cyanobacterial dominance, especially under DOM‐enriched conditions. Collectively, these results demonstrate that increasing local DOM, even by only ~ 2 mgC L−1, can enhance plankton responses to rising temperature or inorganic nutrients in the near‐surface layer of a clearwater lake, with potential implications for ecosystems facing co‐occurring environmental changes.
A note on entropy of Delone sets
Authors: Hauser Till
Published: July 2022

In this note we present that the patch counting entropy can be obtained as a limit and investigate which sequences of compact sets are suitable to define this quantity. We furthermore present a geometric definition of patch counting entropy for Delone sets of infinite local complexity and that the patch counting entropy of a Delone set equals the topological entropy of the corresponding Delone dynamical system. We present our results in the context of (non‐compact) locally compact abelian groups that contain Meyer sets.
GRN Mutations Are Associated with Lewy Body Dementia
Authors: Reho Paolo , Koga Shunsuke , Shah Zalak , Chia Ruth ,   the International LBD Genomics Consortium,   The American Genome Center, Rademakers Rosa , Dalgard Clifton L. , Boeve Bradley F. , Beach Thomas G. , Dickson Dennis W. , Ross Owen A. , Scholz Sonja W.
Published: July 2022

Background

Loss‐of‐function mutations in GRN are a cause of familial frontotemporal dementia, and common variants within the gene have been associated with an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Although TDP‐43‐positive inclusions are characteristic of GRN‐related neurodegeneration, Lewy body copathology has also been observed in many GRN mutation carriers.

Objective

The objective of this study was to assess a Lewy body dementia (LBD) case–control cohort for pathogenic variants in GRN and to test whether there is an enrichment of damaging mutations among patients with LBD.

Methods

We analyzed whole‐genome sequencing data generated for 2591 European‐ancestry LBD cases and 4032 neurologically healthy control subjects to identify disease‐causing mutations in GRN.

Results

We identified six heterozygous exonic GRN mutations in seven study participants (cases: n = 6; control subjects: n = 1). Each variant was predicted to be pathogenic or likely pathogenic. We found significant enrichment of GRN loss‐of‐function mutations in patients with LBD compared with control subjects (Optimized Sequence Kernel Association Test P = 0.0162). Immunohistochemistry in three definite LBD cases demonstrated Lewy body pathology and TDP‐43‐positive neuronal inclusions.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that deleterious GRN mutations are a rare cause of familial LBD. © 2022 International Parkinson Movement Disorder Society. This article has been contributed to by U.S. Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.