bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of serum transferrin concentration on diagnostic criteria for iron deficiency in chronic heart failure
Authors: Graham Fraser J. , Pellicori Pierpaolo , Masini Gabriele , Cuthbert Joseph J. , Clark Andrew L. , Cleland John G. F.
Published: July 2023

Aims

Transferrin saturation (TSAT), a marker of iron deficiency, reflects both serum concentrations of iron (SIC) and transferrin (STC). TSAT is susceptible to changes in each of these biomarkers. Little is known about determinants of STC and its influence on TSAT and mortality in patients with heart failure. Accordingly, we studied the relationship of STC to clinical characteristics, to markers of iron deficiency and inflammation and to mortality in chronic heart failure (CHF).

Methods and results

Prospective cohort of patients with CHF attending a clinic serving a large local population. A total of 4422 patients were included (median age 75 (68–82) years; 40% women; 32% with left ventricular ejection fraction ≤40%). STC ≤ 2.3 g/L (lowest quartile) was associated with older age, lower SIC and haemoglobin and higher high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein, ferritin and N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide compared with those with STC > 2.3 g/L. In the lowest STC quartile, 624 (52%) patients had SIC ≤13 μmol/L, of whom 38% had TSAT ≥20%. For patients in the highest STC quartile, TSAT was <20% when SIC was >13 μmol/L in 185 (17%) patients. STC correlated inversely with ferritin (r = −0.52) and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (r = −0.17) and directly with albumin (r = 0.29); all P < 0.001. In models adjusted for age, N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide and haemoglobin, both higher SIC (hazard ratio 0.87 [95% CI: 0.81–0.95]) and STC (hazard ratio 0.82 [95% CI: 0.73–0.91]) were associated with lower mortality. SIC was more strongly associated with both anaemia and mortality than either STC or TSAT.

Conclusions

Many patients with CHF and a low STC have low SIC even when TSAT is >20% and serum ferritin >100 μg/L; such patients have a high prevalence of anaemia and a poor prognosis and might have iron deficiency but are currently excluded from clinical trials of iron repletion.
Changes in mid‐regional pro‐adrenomedullin during treatment with sacubitril/valsartan
Authors: Myhre Peder L. , Liu Yuxi , Kulac Ian J. , Claggett Brian L. , Prescott Margaret F. , Felker G. Michael , Butler Javed , Piña Ileana L. , Rouleau Jean L. , Zile Michael R. , McMurray John J.V. , Ward Jonathan H. , Solomon Scott D. , Januzzi James L.
Published: July 2023

Aims

Adrenomedullin is a vasodilatory peptide with a role in microcirculatory and endothelial homeostasis. Adrenomedullin is a substrate for neprilysin and may therefore play a role in beneficial effects of sacubitril/valsartan (Sac/Val) treatment.

Methods and results

Mid‐regional pro‐adrenomedullin (MR‐proADM) was measured in 156 patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) treated with Sac/Val and 264 patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) randomized to treatment with Sac/Val or valsartan. Echocardiography and Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire results were collected at baseline and after 6 and 12 months in the HFrEF cohort. Median (Q1–Q3) baseline MR‐proADM concentrations were 0.80 (0.59–0.99) nmol/L in HFrEF and 0.88 (0.68–1.20) nmol/L in HFpEF. After 12 weeks of treatment with Sac/Val, MR‐proADM increased by median 49% in HFrEF and 60% in HFpEF, while there were no significant changes in valsartan‐treated patients (median 2%). Greater increases in MR‐proADM were associated with higher Sac/Val doses. Changes in MR‐proADM correlated weakly with changes in N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide, cardiac troponin T and urinary cyclic guanosine monophosphate. Increases in MR‐proADM were associated with decreases in blood pressure, but not significantly associated with changes in echocardiographic parameters or health status.

Conclusions

MR‐proAD concentrations rise substantially following treatment with Sac/Val, in contrast to no change from valsartan. Change in MR‐proADM from neprilysin inhibition did not correlate with improvements in cardiac structure and function or health status. More data are needed regarding the role of adrenomedullin and its related peptides in the treatment of heart failure.

Clinical Trial Registration: PROVE‐HF ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02887183, PARAMOUNT ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00887588.
Ion transport properties in the pH‐dependent bipolar nanochannels
Authors: Liu Tao , He Xiaohan , Zhao Juncheng , Shi Liuyong , Zhou Teng , Wen Liping
Published: July 2023

In recent years, researchers have made significant strides in understanding the ion transport characteristics of nanochannels, resulting in the development of various materials, modifications, and shapes of nano ion channel membranes. The aim is to create a nanochannel membrane with optimal ion transport properties and high stability by adjusting factors, such as channel size, surface charge, and wettability. However, during the nanochannel film fabrication process, controlling the geometric structures of nanochannels can be challenging. Therefore, exploring the stability of nanochannel performance under different geometric structures has become an essential aspect of nanochannel design. This article focuses on the study of cylindrical nanochannel structures, which are categorized based on the different methods for generating bipolar surface charges on the channel's inner surface, either through pH gradient effects or different material types. Through these two approaches, the study designed and analyzed the stability of ion transport characteristics in two nanochannel models under varying geometric structures. Our findings indicate that nanochannels with bipolar properties generated through pH gradients demonstrate more stable ion selection, whereas nanochannels with bipolar properties generated through different materials show stronger stability in ion rectification. This conclusion provides a theoretical foundation for future nanochannel designs.
Investigation of the Effects of Cohydrothermal Carbonization on the Physicochemical Characteristics and Combustion Behavior of Straw Hydrochars
Authors: Wu Jie , Sui Zifeng , Shi Jingyuan , Wang Qihao , Wang Jiawei , Zhang Zhiyu , Chen Weipeng
Published: July 2023

The use of straw biomass for energy can reduce the use of fossil energy and alleviate air pollution. Herein, the cohydrothermal carbonization (Co‐HTC) of rice straw and wheat straw with corn straw is investigated, and synergistic effects of multistraw biomass are observed in the Co‐HTC process. When the corn straw ratio is 75%, the energetic recovery efficiency, C content, and heating value increase compared to the calculated values of the Co‐HTC products. At 260 °C, the energetic recovery efficiency increases by 8.96% and the heating value increases by 2.28 MJ kg−1, which is beneficial for its application. The positive synergistic effect is probably caused by the enhanced dehydration and decarboxylation reactions. For the combustion behavior analysis, the entire combustion process is divided into two stages. When the corn straw ratio is greater than 50%, compared to the calculated values of the Co‐HTC products, the comprehensive combustibility index and activation energy of stage I increase and the activation energy of stage II decreases at 180 °C, while the activation energy of stage I decreases and the activation energy of stage II increases at 260 °C. These findings demonstrate that the Co‐HTC of multistraw biomass is suitable for solid biofuel production.
Enhancing Renewable Energy Systems, Contributing to Sustainable Development Goals of United Nation and Building Resilience Against Climate Change Impacts
Authors: Gan Kai Ernn , Taikan Oki , Gan Thian Yew , Weis Tim , Yamazaki Dai , Schüttrumpf Holger
Published: July 2023

Climate change impacts due to unprecedented rising concentrations of greenhouse gas (GHG) are intensifying and widespread, making extreme climate events more widespread, frequent, and severe. To mitigate the worst consequences of climate warming, herein it is investigated how the global community can collectively achieve a large‐scale, sustained reduction in GHG emissions, and how to effectively move away from a predominantly fossil fuel‐based economy to one dominated by renewable energy? This transition is necessary to achieve the sustainable development goals (SDGs) of United Nations (UN) to ensure resilient and healthy environment for present and future generations, especially the SDG 7 of UN, “Affordable and Clean Energy”, set up to achieve global development of modern renewable energy systems. Investment policies and patterns of developed and developing countries in transitioning to energy productions primarily from renewable sources and obstacles such as scale‐up challenges, innovations in new energy systems, policies, financing mechanisms, and implementation strategies are examined. Furthermore, a comprehensive overview of the present global status of hydropower, wind, and solar, the three most significant renewable electricity technologies, as well as their basic operating principles, costs, and potential is conducted. Hydroelectric, wind, and solar power had grown from 3429, 346, and 34 TWh yr−1 in 2010 to 4274, 1598, and 846 TWh yr−1 in 2020, a growth of about 1.25, 4.60, and 24.9 times in a decade, respectively. Strategies to achieve energy systems that are of or near net zero GHG emissions by 2050s through the deployment of renewable energy systems are also investigated.
Low‐Temperature Electrochemical Ammonia Synthesis: Measurement Reliability and Comparison to Haber–Bosch in Terms of Energy Efficiency
Authors: Rezaie Fateme , Læsaa Søren , Sahin Nihat Ege , Catalano Jacopo , Dražević Emil
Published: July 2023

Recently, several studies have paved a way to nearly 100% selectivity of the electrochemical ammonia synthesis (EAS), which had been identified earlier as a main challenge. These results motivate us to benchmark the energy efficiency (EE) of EAS against the Haber–Bosch process for EAS works published in 2020, 2021, and 2022. A method is presented to estimate EE of EAS, which can be used by a broader audience. EAS studies historically suffered from reliability issues, and to avoid benchmarking of false‐positive results, a method is established to calculate a reliability indicator to assess the measurement reliability of a published work. The EE of EAS is calculated for works that are assessed as reliable with the indicator. Several promising systems and strategies enabling higher selectivity and EE are identified and discussed. The EE of some aqueous EAS reports is up to 55%, and nonaqueous is below 15%. However, while nonaqueous media reports suffer from low energy efficiency, they demonstrate much higher technology readiness levels (TRL) and total ammonium produced. Aqueous media reports have a great potential for higher energy efficiency, but they are at much lower TRL and total ammonia quantities produced are low.
Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy‐Based Dynamic Modeling of Lithium‐Ion Batteries Using a Simple Equivalent Circuit Model
Authors: Zhou Xing , Zhang Ran , Wang Yu
Published: July 2023

As one of the most commonly used models for describing the dynamic voltage response of lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs), the equivalent circuit model (ECM) is routinely parameterized using the time–domain experimental data from some dynamic tests. One downside of this time–domain approach is a lack of credible physical interpretation about the model parameters. In this article, a genuine electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS)‐based dynamic modeling approach for LIBs is developed, which only uses low‐frequency EIS data in parameterization of the ECM. The EIS‐based modeling method combines simplicity, high accuracy, and clear physical interpretation. With the EIS‐based modeling method, a simple ECM, namely, a serial connection of a resistance (), describing Ohmic polarization and interfacial reactions, and an resistance–capacitance parallel branch (), describing diffusion polarization, suffice to accurately capture LIB dynamics in most applications.
Thermoeconomic Analysis and Optimization of a Combined Supercritical CO2 Recompression Brayton/Kalina Cycle Driven by Boil‐Off Gas Combustion and Liquefied Natural Gas Cold Energy
Authors: Pan Jie , Zhu Min , Li Mofan , Li Ran , Tang Linghong , Bai Junhua
Published: July 2023

The energy and costs required to reliquefy the boil‐off gas (BOG) produced in liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanks are enormous. At the same time, LNG releases large amounts of cold energy during the regasification process. To recover both the BOG and the LNG cold energy for power generation, herein, a novel system consisting of a supercritical carbon dioxide recompression Brayton cycle, an ammonia–water mixture Kalina cycle, a BOG combustion turbine cycle, and a natural gas turbine cycle is presented. The genetic algorithm with multiple elite saving is used to optimize the system thermoeconomic performance, and the maximum energy efficiency, exergy efficiency, and net present value of 65.49%, 33.88%, and 7.374 × 107 $ are obtained respectively. The nondominated sorting genetic algorithm II is implemented to achieve the multiobjective optimization, and the comprehensive performance analysis is carried out on this basis. The results show that heat exchangers and turbines account for the highest exergy destruction and total cost proportion with the value of 76.5% and 81.1% respectively. The heat transfer curves between LNG and working fluids are well matched, and the cooling capacity for ammonia liquefaction is the largest, accounting for 66.66%, which also generates 581.2 kW of power generation. The results also indicate that the LNG cold energy cascade utilization system combined with BOG combustion has excellent thermodynamic performance and can obtain ideal economic benefits.
20(S)‐Protopanaxadiol saponins isolated from Panax notoginseng target caveolin‐1 against intestinal barrier dysfunction by alleviating inflammatory injury and oxidative stress in experimental murine colitis
Authors: Lu Pengde , Chen Jinfen , Chen Ying , Quan Xingping , Liu Jiayue , Han Yan , Li Yiyang , Yang Li , Wan Jian‐Bo , Zhao Yonghua
Published: July 2023

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a digestive disease with a high incidence and is difficult to be cured due to its complex etiology. It has evidenced that intestinal barrier dysfunction plays a predominant role in UC. 20(S)‐protopanaxadiol saponins (PDS) isolated from Panax notoginseng possess anti‐inflammatory and antioxidative activities, suggesting its potential of treating UC. Herein, the therapeutic effects of PDS against UC and underlying mechanisms in the aspect of intestinal barrier dysfunction were investigated in vivo and in vitro. The results showed PDS had protective effects against dextran sulfate sodium–induced colitis, including attenuating weight loss, disease activity index score elevation, colon length shortening, and histological lesions. Additionally, PDS reduced the colonic activity of myeloperoxidase and the cytokine levels of TNF‐α, IL‐6, and IL‐1β, decreased MDA production, and elevated colonic activities of SOD and GSH‐Px in the colitis mice. The expressions of proteins related to tight junction (TJ), including ZO‐1, claudin‐5, occludin, caveolin‐1 (Cav‐1), and Nrf2 were downregulated, whereas that of Keap1 was upregulated after colitis induction. These changes were reversed by PDS. Cav‐1 expression was downregulated in lipopolysaccharides (LPS)‐ and H2O2‐induced HCT116 cells, and the expressions of ZO‐1, claudin‐5, and occludin were suppressed in HCT116 cells stimulated by LPS and H2O2 combined with Cav‐1 small interfering RNA transfection, which were ameliorated by PDS, suggesting PDS targeted Cav‐1 against intestinal barrier damage. Collectively, PDS alleviates inflammatory injury and oxidative stress by regulating the Nrf2/Keap1 pathway, contributing to targeting Cav‐1 against intestinal epithelial TJ proteins loss. It suggests PDS might be a promising therapeutic natural product for UC treatment.
Low back pain in a sample of Syrian pregnant women: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Amayri Alaa , Khalayli Naram , Haj Ali Diaa , Kudsi Maysoun
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Low back pain related to pregnancy occurs in 60%–70% of pregnancies, at any time during pregnancy. During pregnancy, many factors such as weight gain, and others are the causes of the back pain. In Syria, due to the circumstances of the war, many pregnant women may be exposed to increase the risk of lower back pain, so this study will determine the prevalence of lower back pain among pregnant women and its potential risk factors. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of low back pain in pregnant women and to assess the risk factors related to it.

Methods

A cross‐sectional, observational study was conducted between May 2020 and December 2022 at Obstetrics and Gynecology University Hospital in Damascus, Syria. Pregnant women aged over 18 years were selected from the outpatient clinic. Participants, after signing the informed consent, fill out the survey, which included the following parameters: age, weight, height, body mass index (BMI), education, parity, shoe type, weekly walking hours, occupation, low back pain, in which semester, radiation, onset, alleviating and aggravating factors, disability, and pain in previous pregnancies. We used Excel 2010, and the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 23.0. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant, and we used the Chi‐square test (χ2 test), t student test to test the basal differences between groups.

Results

A number of 551 pregnant participants were included and low back pain prevalence was 62%. There was a statistically significant relation between low back pain and each of the following: Obesity, weekly walking hours, pain in previous pregnancies, and occupation.

Conclusion

Low back pain is prevalent during pregnancy and the most important risk factors include obesity and pain in previous pregnancies whereas walking and employment are protective measures to prevent low back pain.
Level of agreement between midwives and obstetricians performing ultrasound examination during labor
Authors: Fidalgo Ana M. , Miguel Raquel , Fernández‐Buhigas Irene , Aguado Asunción , Cuerva Marcos J. , Corrales Elisa , Rolle Valeria , Santacruz Belén , Gil María M. , Poon Liona C.
Published: July 2023

Objective

To evaluate the level of agreement between ultrasound measurements to evaluate fetal head position and progress of labor by attending midwives and obstetricians after appropriate training.

Methods

In this prospective study, women in the first stage of labor giving birth to a single baby in cephalic presentation at our Obstetric Unit between March 2018 and December 2019 were invited to participate; 109 women agreed. Transperineal and transabdominal ultrasound was independently performed by a trained midwife and an obstetrician. Two paired measurements were available for comparisons in 107 cases for the angle of progression (AoP), in 106 cases for the head‐to‐perineum distance (HPD), in 97 cases for the cervical dilatation (CD), and in 79 cases for the fetal head position.

Results

We found a good correlation between the AoP measured by obstetricians and midwives (intra‐class correlation coefficient [ICC] = 0.85; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.80–0.89). There was a moderate correlation between the HPD (ICC = 0.75; 95% CI 0.68–0.82). There was a very good correlation between the CD measured (ICC = 0.94; 95% CI 0.91–0.96). There was a very good level of agreement in the classification of the fetal head position (Cohen's κ = 0.89; 95% CI 0.80–0.98).

Conclusions

Ultrasound assessment of fetal head position and progress of labor can effectively be performed by attending midwives without previous experience in ultrasound.
Multiobjective Bayesian optimization for a 15‐dB back‐off high‐efficiency load modulated balanced amplifier design
Authors: Chen Peng , Qi Lin , Zhao Yinshuang , Yu Luqi , Yu Chao
Published: July 2023

In this article, multiobjecive Bayesian optimization (MBO) with a non‐penalization strategy is proposed to design a 15‐dB back‐off high‐efficiency load modulated balanced amplifier (LMBA). Applying the proposed method, the output matching networks of the LMBA are optimized to achieve proper load modulation behaviors that providing good performance. To verify the proposed method, a 2.0‐GHz LMBA is designed and measured. Experimental results show that LMBA achieves an output power of 44.5 dBm with a gain higher than 6.6 dB at saturation. The measured drain efficiency (DE)/power‐added efficiency (PAE) are 67%/52% at saturation, 54%/43% at 9‐dB back‐off, and 52%/46% at 15‐dB back‐off, respectively. Tested with 20‐MHz signal with 10‐dB peak‐to‐average power ratio (PAPR) and a 256‐quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) scheme, the LMBA achieves adjacent channel leakage ratio (ACLR) levels of −46.7/−47.5 dBc and an error vector magnitude (EVM) of 1.2% after digital predistortion.
Synoptic characteristics of heatwave events in Australia during austral summer of 1950/1951–2019/2020
Authors: Wei Jinghua , Wang Bin , Luo Jing‐Jia , Li Chao , Yuan Chaoxia
Published: July 2023

Australia has experienced increasing number of heatwave events (HWEs) in recent decades. This study aims to examine key synoptic features of austral summer HWEs over Australia during 1950/1951–2019/2020. Based on ERA5‐reanalysis and rotated empirical orthogonal functions, HWEs in Australia are categorized into four types according to where they often occur together: East Australia (EA), North Australia (NA), West Australia (WA) and Southeast Australia (SEA). Our results reveal that while anomalous anticyclones at 500 hPa level are the typical synoptic circulations responsible for HWEs of each subregion, their specific mechanisms differ between subregions. The atmospheric heat budget at 850 hPa level shows that anomalous diabatic heating promotes the onset of HWEs in each subregion. While anomalous vertical advection and adiabatic heating due to the anomalous subsidence play an important role in maintaining HWEs till their demise in NA, they only help trigger HWEs in EA, SEA and WA. Our results also suggest that anomalous advection of climatological mean temperature is important to both the onset and persistence of HWEs in EA and SEA, while it only helps sustain (trigger) HWEs in NA (WA). The advection of anomalous temperature also acts to trigger HWEs in EA, SEA and WA. On the surface, upward long‐wave radiation and sensible heat flux contribute to the development of HWEs, whereas both of them are reduced in SEA due to the enhanced anomalous cyclones near the surface and the decreased land–air temperature difference. These findings help improve understanding of the synoptic characteristics and distinctive mechanisms of HWEs in different subregions of Australia.
Quantitative trait loci and candidate genes for physico‐chemical traits related to tuber quality in greater yam (Dioscorea alata L.)
Authors: Arnau Gemma , Desfontaines Lucienne , Ehounou Adou Emmanuel , Marie‐Magdeleine Carine , Kouakou Amani Michel , Leinster Jocelyne , Nudol Elie , Maledon Erick , Chair Hana
Published: July 2023

BACKGROUND

Starch, dry matter content (DMC), proteins, and sugars are among the major influences on yam tuber quality. Genetic improvement programs need simple, rapid, and low‐cost tools to screen large populations. The objectives of this work were, using a quantitative trait loci mapping approach (QTL) on two diploid full‐sib segregating populations, (i) to acquire knowledge about the genetic control of these traits; (ii) to identify markers linked to the genomic regions controlling each trait, which are useful for marker‐assisted selection (MAS); (iii) to validate the QTLs on a diversity panel; and (iv) to identify candidate genes from the validated QTLs.

RESULTS

Heritability for all traits was moderately high to high. Significant correlations were observed between traits. A total of 25 QTLs were identified, including six for DMC, six for sugars, six for proteins, and seven for starch. The phenotypic variance explained by individual QTLs ranged from 14.3% to 28.6%. The majority of QTLs were validated on a diversity panel, showing that they are not specific to the genetic background of the progenitors. The approximate physical location of validated QTLs allowed the identification of candidate genes for all studied traits. Those detected for starch content were mainly enzymes involved in starch and sucrose metabolism, whereas those detected for sugars were mainly involved in respiration and glycolysis.

CONCLUSION

The validated QTLs will be useful for breeding programs using MAS to improve the quality of yam tubers. The putative genes should be useful in providing a better understanding of the physiological and molecular basis of these important tuber quality traits. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Recent advances in miniaturization of portable liquid chromatography with emphasis on detection
Authors: Hemida Mohamed , Ghiasvand Alireza , Macka Mirek , Gupta Vipul , Haddad Paul R. , Paull Brett
Published: July 2023

Liquid chromatography is a prominent analytical technique in separation science and chemical analysis, applied across numerous fields of research and within industrial applications. Over the past few decades, there has been a growing interest in the miniaturization of this technique, which has been particularly enabled through new miniature and portable detection technologies for in‐field, at‐site, and point‐of‐need (collectively ‘out‐of‐lab’) analyses. Accordingly, significant advances have been made in recent years in the development of miniaturized liquid chromatography with photometric, electrochemical, and mass spectrometric detection, enabling the development of field‐deployable and portable instruments for various applications. Herein, recent developments in the miniaturization of detection systems for inclusion within, and/or coupling with, portable liquid chromatographic systems, are reviewed in detail together with critical comments and expected future trends in this area.
What we do in the dark: Prevalence of omnivorous feeding activity in Arctic zooplankton during polar night
Authors: Kunisch Erin H. , Graeve Martin , Gradinger Rolf , Flores Hauke , Varpe Øystein , Bluhm Bodil A.
Published: July 2023

During the productive polar day, zooplankton and sea‐ice amphipods fulfill a critical role in energy transfer from primary producers to higher trophic‐level species in Arctic marine ecosystems. Recent polar night studies on zooplankton and sea‐ice amphipods suggest higher levels of biological activity than previously assumed. However, it is unknown if these invertebrates maintain polar night activity on stored lipids, opportunistic feeding, or a combination of both. To assess how zooplankton (copepods, amphipods, and krill) and sea‐ice amphipods support themselves on seasonally varying resources, we studied their lipid classes, fatty acid compositions, and compound‐specific stable isotopes of trophic biomarker fatty acids during polar day (June/July) and polar night (January). Lipid storage and fatty acid results confirm previously described dietary sources in all species during polar day. We found evidence of polar night feeding in all species, including shifts from herbivory to omnivory. Sympagic‐, pelagic‐, and Calanus spp.‐derived carbon sources supported zooplankton and sea‐ice amphipods in both seasons. We provide a first indication of polar night feeding of sea‐ice amphipods in the pelagic realm.
Strichartz estimates for the Dirac flow in Wiener amalgam spaces
Authors: Kim Seongyeon , Lee Hyeongjin , Seo Ihyeok
Published: July 2023

In this paper, we obtain some new Strichartz estimates for the Dirac flow in the context of Wiener amalgam spaces which control the local regularity of a function and its decay at infinity separately unlike spaces. While it is well understood recently for some flows such as the Schrödinger and wave flows that work in the non‐relativistic regime, nothing is known about the Dirac flow which governs a physical system in the case of relativistic fields.
Mitochondria‐targeted metformin (mitomet) inhibits lung cancer in cellular models and in mice by enhancing the generation of reactive oxygen species
Authors: Shameem Mohammad , Bagherpoor Alireza Jian , Nakhi Ali , Dosa Peter , Georg Gunda , Kassie Fekadu
Published: July 2023

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer‐related mortality in the United States. Although some epidemiological studies have shown an inverse relationship between the use of metformin, a widely used antidiabetic drug, and the incidence of lung cancer, the real benefits of the drug are unclear as the efficacy is low and the outcomes are quite heterogeneous. To develop a more potent form of metformin, we synthesized mitochondria‐targeted metformin (mitomet) and tested its efficacy in in vitro and in vivo models of lung cancer. Mitomet was cytotoxic to transformed bronchial cells and several non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines but relatively safe to normal bronchial cells, and these effects were mediated mainly via induction of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species. Studies using isogenic A549 cells showed that mitomet was selectively toxic to those cells deficient in the tumor suppressor gene LKB1, which is widely mutated in NSCLC. Mitomet also significantly reduced the multiplicity and size of lung tumors induced by a tobacco smoke carcinogen in mice. Overall, our findings showed that mitomet, which was about 1000 and 100 times more potent than metformin, in killing NSCLC cells and reducing the multiplicity and size of lung tumors in mice, respectively, is a promising candidate for the chemoprevention and treatment of lung cancer, in particular against LKB1‐deficient lung cancers which are known to be highly aggressive.
Variability in the occurrence of thermal seasons in Poland in 1961–2020
Authors: Kejna Marek , Pospieszyńska Aleksandra
Published: July 2023

The article analyses the variability of thermal seasons in Poland in 1961–2020. Based on the average monthly air temperature values from 55 stations, the onset and end dates as well as the duration of the six thermal seasons were calculated. Taking into account the thermal thresholds of 0°C, 5°C and 15°C for each year, early spring, spring, summer, autumn, early winter and winter can be distinguished. A significant spatial differentiation of the dates of the beginning and duration of the thermal seasons in Poland was observed. The influence of continentalism (in the east) and oceanic climate (in the west) and the influence of the Baltic Sea are noticeable, and in mountainous regions, altitude above sea level is the main factor. The air temperature in Poland increases at the rate of 0.3°C–0.4°C/10 years. This causes significant changes in the occurrence and duration of the thermal seasons. An early beginning of early spring and spring was observed. Summer arrives earlier and is significantly longer, becoming the longest season of the year (above 110 days in the south of Poland). Autumn and early winter are delayed and get shorter, whereas winter comes much later. Throughout the country, winter is 44 days shorter, and in the north‐west it does not occur at all. Changes in the onset of thermal seasons are a clear indicator of progressing global warming. They have also a decisive impact on the environment and human activity.
Numerical simulation‐based assessment of pH‐sensitive chemical exchange saturation transfer MRI quantification accuracy across field strengths
Authors: Sun Phillip Zhe
Published: July 2023

Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI detects dilute labile protons via their exchange with bulk water, conferring pH sensitivity. Based on published exchange and relaxation properties, a 19‐pool simulation was used to model the brain pH‐dependent CEST effect and assess the accuracy of quantitative CEST (qCEST) analysis across magnetic field strengths under typical scan conditions. First, the optimal B1 amplitude was determined by maximizing pH‐sensitive amide proton transfer (APT) contrast under the equilibrium condition. Apparent and quasi‐steady‐state (QUASS) CEST effects were then derived under the optimal B1 amplitude as functions of pH, RF saturation duration, relaxation delay, Ernst flip angle, and field strength. Finally, CEST effects, particularly the APT signal, were isolated with spinlock model‐based Z‐spectral fitting to evaluate the accuracy and consistency of CEST quantification. Our data showed that QUASS reconstruction significantly improved the consistency between simulated and equilibrium Z‐spectra. The residual difference between QUASS and equilibrium CEST Z‐spectra was, on average, 30 times less than that of the apparent CEST Z‐spectra across field strengths, saturation, and repetition times. Also, the spinlock fitting of the QUASS CEST effect significantly reduced the residual errors 9‐fold. Furthermore, the isolated APT amplitude from QUASS reconstruction was consistent and higher than the apparent CEST analysis under nonequilibrium conditions. To summarize, this study confirmed that QUASS reconstruction facilitates accurate determination of the CEST system under different scan protocols across field strengths, with the potential to help standardize CEST quantification.
A stepwise physics‐informed neural network for solving large deformation problems of hypoelastic materials
Authors: Luo Zikun , Wang Lei , Lu Mengkai
Published: July 2023

Physics‐informed neural network (PINN) has been widely concerned for its higher computational accuracy compared with conventional neural network. The merit of PINN mainly comes from its ability to embed known physical laws or equations into data‐based neural networks. However, when dealing with the rate‐dependent nonlinear problems, such as elasto‐plasticity with loading and unloading and hypoelastic large deformation, the conventional PINN cannot obtain satisfactory results. In this article, a stepwise physics‐informed neural network (sPINN) is proposed to solve large deformation problems of hypoelastic materials. The whole process of sPINN can be divided into a series of time steps. In each time step, the rate constitutive equation expressed by Hughes‐Winget algorithm and momentum governing equation are incorporated into the loss function as physical constraints. The displacement and stress fields can be resolved by completing the training process of each time step. Three numerical examples are designed to validate the proposed method by comparing with the solutions of FEM. The results show that sPINN can accurately resolve the displacement and stress fields in path‐dependent large deformation problems. Furthermore, the performance of the sPINN on small data sets are also discussed, which illustrates that sPINN is more capable of predicting the global solution on small data sets as compared with conventional artificial neural network.
Oral manifestations and their management in Kindler's syndrome: An oral clinician's perspective
Authors: Lonyal Jatin , Gupta Nidhi , Pande Ujjya , Singh Khushboo , Gupta Srishti R. , Bhargava Stuti , Sharma Alpana , Gupta Shalini R.
Published: July 2023

Background

Kindler's syndrome (KS) is a rare genodermatosis caused by a mutation in the KIND1 gene and characterized by skin fragility, photosensitivity, blistering, multi‐system involvement, and a risk of oral malignancy.

Case Presentation

Two cases of KS in siblings are presented with severe cutaneous lesions, atrophic oral mucositis, chronic desquamative gingivitis‐periodontitis, candidiasis, and the novel finding of an imapacted mandibular distomolar. Topical steroids, antifungals, antiseptics, and oral prophylaxis caused marked improvement at the 2‐week follow‐up.

Conclusion

The oral clinician plays a very significant role in a multi‐specialty team for diagnosis, management, surveillance for oral malignant transformation, and improving oral health‐related quality of life.
State‐of‐the‐art computational methods to predict protein–protein interactions with high accuracy and coverage
Authors: Kewalramani Neal , Emili Andrew , Crovella Mark
Published: July 2023

Prediction of protein–protein interactions (PPIs) commonly involves a significant computational component. Rapid recent advances in the power of computational methods for protein interaction prediction motivate a review of the state‐of‐the‐art. We review the major approaches, organized according to the primary source of data utilized: protein sequence, protein structure, and protein co‐abundance. The advent of deep learning (DL) has brought with it significant advances in interaction prediction, and we show how DL is used for each source data type. We review the literature taxonomically, present example case studies in each category, and conclude with observations about the strengths and weaknesses of machine learning methods in the context of the principal sources of data for protein interaction prediction.
The US national registry for childhood interstitial and diffuse lung disease: Report of study design and initial enrollment cohort
Authors: Nevel Rebekah J. , Deutsch Gail H. , Craven Daniel , Deterding Robin , Fishman Martha P. , Wambach Jennifer A. , Casey Alicia , Krone Katie , Liptzin Deborah R. , O'Connor Michael G. , Kurland Geoffrey , Taylor Jane B. , Gower William A. , Hagood James S. , Conrad Carol , Tam‐Williams Jade B. , Fiorino Elizabeth K. , Goldfarb Samuel , Sadreameli Sara C. , Nogee Lawrence M. , Montgomery Gregory , Hamvas Aaron , Laguna Theresa A. , Bansal Manvi , Lew Cheryl , Santiago Maria , Popova Antonia , De Aliva , Chan Marilynn , Powers Michael R. , Josephson Maureen B. , Camburn Devaney , Voss Laura , Li Yun , Young Lisa R. ,   for the chILD Registry Collaborative
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Childhood interstitial and diffuse lung disease (chILD) encompasses a broad spectrum of rare disorders. The Children's Interstitial and Diffuse Lung Disease Research Network (chILDRN) established a prospective registry to advance knowledge regarding etiology, phenotype, natural history, and management of these disorders.

Methods

This longitudinal, observational, multicenter registry utilizes single‐IRB reliance agreements, with participation from 25 chILDRN centers across the U.S. Clinical data are collected and managed using the Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) electronic data platform.

Results

We report the study design and selected elements of the initial Registry enrollment cohort, which includes 683 subjects with a broad range of chILD diagnoses. The most common diagnosis reported was neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia of infancy, with 155 (23%) subjects. Components of underlying disease biology were identified by enrolling sites, with cohorts of interstitial fibrosis, immune dysregulation, and airway disease being most commonly reported. Prominent morbidities affecting enrolled children included home supplemental oxygen use (63%) and failure to thrive (46%).

Conclusion

This Registry is the largest longitudinal chILD cohort in the United States to date, providing a powerful framework for collaborating centers committed to improving the understanding and treatment of these rare disorders.
Effect of temperature on ignition mechanism of Ammonium Perchorate (AP) particles under drop weight impact
Authors: Xia Quanzhi , Duan Hongzheng , Wu Yanqing , Yang Kun
Published: July 2023

The experimental analysis of ignition responses of mildly impacted Ammonium Perchorate (AP) particles was performed based on an optimized drop‐weight system equipped with a High‐Speed Camera (HSC). The experimental results suggested that the jetting phenomena observed by HSC is the result of the energy released by gaseous products, which push the pulverized or melted particles to splash radially. In the process of complex stress stimulation, AP particles experienced four stages of compaction, solid phase transition, sputtering, and ignition. In addition, with the increase in temperature, AP particle sensitivity increased. At room temperature, AP particles are insensitive particles. When the temperature is 50 °C, the ignition threshold of AP particles is 40 cm. However, when the temperature increases to 100 °C, the ignition threshold is 35 cm. Finally, particle friction and rapid gas compression are the main reasons for the ignition of AP particles during impact loading.
Trifluoroethanol and the behavior of a tardigrade desiccation‐tolerance protein
Authors: Wang Shikun , Eicher Jonathan , Pielak Gary J.
Published: July 2023

The cosolvent 2,2,2‐trifluoroethanol (TFE) is often used to mimic protein desiccation. We assessed the effects of TFE on cytosolic abundant heat soluble protein D (CAHS D) from tardigrades. CAHS D is a member of a unique protein class that is necessary and sufficient for tardigrades to survive desiccation. We find that the response of CAHS D to TFE depends on the concentration of both species. Dilute CAHS D remains soluble and, like most proteins exposed to TFE, gains α‐helix. More concentrated solutions of CAHS D in TFE accumulate β‐sheet, driving both gel formation and aggregation. At even higher TFE and CAHS D concentrations, samples phase separate without aggregation or increases in helix. Our observations show the importance of considering protein concentration when using TFE.
A turbulent orographic form drag scheme accounting for anisotropy and orientation for kilometer‐ to subkilometer‐scale models
Authors: Xue Haile , Shen Xueshun
Published: July 2023

This paper presents a turbulent orographic form drag (TOFD) parameterization scheme that takes into account the directional effects stemming from the angle between the low‐level wind and the principal axis of small‐scale orography. Suitable for models with both kilometer and subkilometer horizontal resolutions, this scheme builds upon prior theoretical and numerical studies to formulate surface TOFD based on the slope and direction of the sinusoidal hills. In this study, we proposed a straightforward function to calculate the surface TOFD for various orographic aspect ratios and directional parameters. The vertical decay of the drag is modeled with a scale twice the standard deviation of the sub‐grid orography. A comparison with numerous large‐eddy simulations featuring a single ellipsoidal hill demonstrates that our scheme effectively captures the dependence of drag on factors such as maximum slope, aspect ratio, the angle between low‐level wind and the principle axis, and hill height. We recommend calculating the sub‐grid orographic parameters using a well‐established method and digital terrain elevation data with a horizontal resolution less than a 100 m. This will allow for representation on orographic scales of both kilometers and subkilometers. Real‐case numerical weather prediction tests are conducted and verified with dense surface wind observations. The proposed scheme improves surface wind simulation compared to a renowned TOFD scheme, and also effectively exhibits the wind response to orographic anisotropy.
Verification of durability of new and existing structures through the design, construction and operational phases
Authors: Andrade Carmen , Linger Lionel
Published: July 2023

Model Code 2010 made a step forward in introducing durability models for the probabilistic calculation of design service life. The accumulated experience has allowed the improvement of these models and the introduction of some advances in MC2020. In particular their application to not only new structures, but also to existing ones, with the models serving both circumstances. MC2020 sets the traditional requirements concerning safety and serviceability within an overarching sustainability and performance‐based approach framework, which are major requirements. The main novelties concerning durability design introduced in MC2020 can be summarized as: (a) Guidance on the treatment of a wider range of mechanisms of deterioration which may potentially affect concrete structures, including the simultaneous action of some of these, (b) The classification of the ways of verification into “Levels of Approximation” (LoA), and (c) The definition of what has been called the “Condition or Deterioration” Limit state (CLS or DLS). The paper explains these aspects and chloride penetration is illustrated as a case example.
An extended universal morphological model for concrete mode‐I fracture: Formulations and preliminary verifications
Authors: Li Dong , S.Hejazi S.M.Ali , Jin Liu , Du Xiuli
Published: July 2023

The purpose of this study is to develop a systematic meso‐level theoretical modeling approach for analyzing the mode‐I fracture failure behaviors of concrete. Firstly, the crack model is developed in a way to be equivalent to the continuum model at the macro‐level. Secondly, an extended universal morphological model (XUMM) for concrete mode‐I fracture analysis is proposed at the meso‐level. Afterwards, both the mesoscopic fracture characteristics and the macroscopic mechanical parameters of concrete are theoretically deduced based on the proposed XUMM. Comparison with existing meso‐level test results shows that the predictions from the XUMM have good consistency, but offsets are obvious as well. At last, the XUMM is calibrated using the limit state method and preliminarily verified via mesoscale numerical simulations.
Vibration Calculation and Analysis for Permanent Magnet Assisted Reluctance Motor with Rotor Slots Based on Air Gap Relative Permeance
Authors: Wang Zicheng , Li Yan , Yu Zhanyang , Du Jianmin
Published: July 2023

A calculation model of radial electromagnetic force wave for permanent magnet assisted reluctance motor (PMaSynRM) with rotor slots is proposed in this paper. By introducing complex air gap relative permeance, the improved magnetic potential permeability method is applied to the calculation of electromagnetic force wave of the PMaSynRM. Considering the influence of both stator and rotor slots, the characteristics of electromagnetic force wave are analyzed theoretically. A multi‐physical coupling model of PMaSynRM is established. The natural frequency of the stator core is obtained by modal finite element analysis and modal hammer experiment. The harmonic response is analyzed by loading electromagnetic force wave into the structure field and the vibration on the housing surface is calculated. The results show that although the amplitude of electromagnetic force is small at zero‐order slot frequency, the vibration caused by electromagnetic force at frequency of stator slots and rotor slots, especially at the rotor slot frequency, is the biggest vibration source. The effectiveness and regularity of the calculation model are verified by the prototype vibration experiments. © 2023 Institute of Electrical Engineer of Japan and Wiley Periodicals LLC.
A Visual Support Tool for Decision-Making over Federated Building Information
Authors: Donkers Alex , Yang Dujuan , de Vries Bauke , Baken Nico
Published: July 2023

Interconnecting building information on multiple scales and lifecycle stages enables designers to improve their decision-making and tackle ecological, societal, and economical challenges. However, this information is often generated in different software tools, saved in different file formats, using a stakeholder’s own domain language, and is stored in decentral storage locations. This paper presents a tool that integrates data from different stakeholders into a single viewpoint. The tool – LBDviz – combines a browser-based IFC viewer and semantic web technologies to combine geometry with other data that falls outside the scope of the IFC schema. The tool is tested in multiple case studies. These case studies range from requirement checking during the design phase, generating design feedback during the operational phase, and maintaining building performance in a sustainable and economically viable manner. The results of these studies can be reused in future designs, stimulating a more circular design process. The method used in LBDviz enables the interconnection of data within and without the architectural design domain and reduces data interoperability challenges in many lifecycle phases of a construction project.