bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Epidemiology of Opioid Prescribing After Discharge From Surgical Procedures Among Adults
Authors: Alessio-Bilowus Dominic , Chua Kao-Ping , Peahl Alex , Brummett Chad M. , Gunaseelan Vidhya , Bicket Mark C. , Waljee Jennifer F.
Published: June 2024

Importance

Opioid medications are commonly prescribed for the management of acute postoperative pain. In light of increasing awareness of the potential risks of opioid prescribing, data are needed to define the procedures and populations for which most opioid prescribing occurs.

Objective

To identify the surgical procedures accounting for the highest proportion of opioids dispensed to adults after surgery in the United States.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cross-sectional analysis of the 2020-2021 Merative MarketScan Commercial and Multi-State Databases, which capture medical and pharmacy claims for 23 million and 14 million annual privately insured patients and Medicaid beneficiaries, respectively, included surgical procedures for individuals aged 18 to 64 years with a discharge date between December 1, 2020, and November 30, 2021. Procedures were identified using a novel crosswalk between 3664 Current Procedural Terminology codes and 1082 procedure types. Data analysis was conducted from November to December 2023.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The total amount of opioids dispensed within 3 days of discharge from surgery across all procedures in the sample, as measured in morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs), was calculated. The primary outcome was the proportion of total MMEs attributable to each procedure type, calculated separately among procedures for individuals aged 18 to 44 years and those aged 45 to 64 years.

Results

Among 1 040 934 surgical procedures performed (mean [SD] age of patients, 45.5 [13.3] years; 663 609 [63.7%] female patients), 457 016 (43.9%) occurred among individuals aged 18 to 44 years and 583 918 (56.1%) among individuals aged 45 to 64 years. Opioid prescriptions were dispensed for 503 058 procedures (48.3%). Among individuals aged 18 to 44 years, cesarean delivery accounted for the highest proportion of total MMEs dispensed after surgery (19.4% [11 418 658 of 58 825 364 MMEs]). Among individuals aged 45 to 64 years, 4 of the top 5 procedures were common orthopedic procedures (eg, arthroplasty of knee, 9.7% of total MMEs [5 885 305 of 60 591 564 MMEs]; arthroscopy of knee, 6.5% [3 912 616 MMEs]).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cross-sectional study of the distribution of postoperative opioid prescribing in the United States, a small number of common procedures accounted for a large proportion of MMEs dispensed after surgery. These findings suggest that the optimal design and targeting of surgical opioid stewardship initiatives in adults undergoing surgery should focus on the procedures that account for the most opioid dispensed following surgery over the life span, such as childbirth and orthopedic procedures. Going forward, systems that provide periodic surveillance of opioid prescribing and associated harms can direct quality improvement initiatives to reduce opioid-related morbidity and mortality.
Use of Oral and Emergency Contraceptives After the US Supreme Court’s Dobbs Decision
Authors: Qato Dima M. , Myerson Rebecca , Shooshtari Andrew , Guadamuz Jenny S. , Alexander G. Caleb
Published: June 2024

Importance

The US Supreme Court Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision allowed states to strengthen restrictions on abortion access, triggering the closure of family planning clinics and leading to confusion about the legality of emergency contraceptives (ECs).

Objectives

To evaluate the association between the Dobbs decision and fills for oral and emergency contraceptives in states that enacted the most restrictive abortion policies after Dobbs.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cohort study used data on contraceptive fills for women of reproductive age (15-49 years) in the US from IQVIA’s National Prescription Audit PayerTrak and data from the Guttmacher Institute were used to categorize changes in abortion restrictions in each state. A difference-in-differences analysis compared changes in monthly fill rates for daily oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) and ECs in states that became most restrictive (implemented a full abortion ban after Dobbs) and comparison states (kept a medium level of abortion restrictions after Dobbs) before (March 2021 to November 2021) and after (July 2022 to October 2023) the Dobbs decision.

Exposure

State-level abortion restrictions.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Monthly fills of OCPs and ECs per 100 000 women of reproductive age.

Results

Between March 2021 and October 2023, 142.8 million prescriptions for OCPs and 904 269 prescriptions for ECs were dispensed at US retail pharmacies. Before Dobbs, trends in monthly fill rates were similar for OCPs and ECs between the most restrictive and comparison states. After the Dobbs decision, states that became the most restrictive experienced an additional 4.1% decline in OCP fills with 285.9 fewer fills per 100 000 (95% CI, −495.8 to −6.8; P = .04). In contrast to OCPs, fills for ECs increased during the first year after Dobbs (July 2022 to June 2023) in both groups of states. However, 1 year after Dobbs (July 2023 to October 2023), the most restrictive states experienced an additional 65% decrease in emergency contraceptive fills with 13.2 fewer fills per 100 000 (95% CI, −27.2 to −4.1; P = .01).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cohort study of prescriptions filled at US pharmacies, the Dobbs decision was associated with declines in oral contraceptives, particularly ECs, in states enacting the most restrictive abortion policies. Given the important role of OCPs and ECs in preventing pregnancy and the need for abortion, efforts to improve access may be needed, especially in states where legal abortion is no longer an option.
Multivitamin Use and Mortality Risk in 3 Prospective US Cohorts
Authors: Loftfield Erikka , O’Connell Caitlin P. , Abnet Christian C. , Graubard Barry I. , Liao Linda M. , Beane Freeman Laura E. , Hofmann Jonathan N. , Freedman Neal D. , Sinha Rashmi
Published: June 2024

Importance

One in 3 US adults uses multivitamins (MV), with a primary motivation being disease prevention. In 2022, the US Preventive Services Task Force reviewed data on MV supplementation and mortality from randomized clinical trials and found insufficient evidence for determining benefits or harms owing, in part, to limited follow-up time and external validity.

Objective

To estimate the association of MV use with mortality risk, accounting for confounding by healthy lifestyle and reverse causation whereby individuals in poor health initiate MV use.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cohort study used data from 3 prospective cohort studies in the US, each with baseline MV use (assessed from 1993 to 2001), and follow-up MV use (assessed from 1998 to 2004), extended duration of follow-up up to 27 years, and extensive characterization of potential confounders. Participants were adults, without a history of cancer or other chronic diseases, who participated in National Institutes of Health–AARP Diet and Health Study (327 732 participants); Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial (42 732 participants); or Agricultural Health Study (19 660 participants). Data were analyzed from June 2022 to April 2024.

Exposure

Self-reported MV use.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The main outcome was mortality. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs.

Results

Among 390 124 participants (median [IQR] age, 61.5 [56.7-66.0] years; 216 202 [55.4%] male), 164 762 deaths occurred during follow-up; 159 692 participants (40.9%) were never smokers, and 157 319 participants (40.3%) were college educated. Among daily MV users, 49.3% and 42.0% were female and college educated, compared with 39.3% and 37.9% among nonusers, respectively. In contrast, 11.0% of daily users, compared with 13.0% of nonusers, were current smokers. MV use was not associated with lower all-cause mortality risk in the first (multivariable-adjusted HR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.02-1.07) or second (multivariable-adjusted HR, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.99-1.08) halves of follow-up. HRs were similar for major causes of death and time-varying analyses.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cohort study of US adults, MV use was not associated with a mortality benefit. Still, many US adults report using MV to maintain or improve health.
Effects of interrupting residues on DNA dumbbell structures formed by CCTG tetranucleotide repeats associated with myotonic dystrophy type 2
Authors: Yang Yingquan , Wang Yang , Yan Zhenzhen , Li Zhigang , Guo Pei
Published: June 2024

Myotonic dystrophy type 2 (DM2) is a neurogenerative disease caused by caprylic/capric triglyceride (CCTG) tetranucleotide repeat expansions in intron 1 of the cellular nucleic acid‐binding protein (CNBP) gene. Non‐B DNA structures formed by CCTG repeats can promote genetic instability, whereas interrupting motifs of NCTG (N = A/T/G) within CCTG repeats help to maintain genomic stability. However, whether the interrupting motifs can affect DNA structures of CCTG repeats remains unclear. Here, we report that four CCTG repeats with an interrupting 3′‐A/T/G residue formed dumbbell structures, whereas a non‐interrupting 3′‐C residue resulted in a multi‐loop structure exhibiting conformational dynamics that may contribute to a higher tendency of escaping from DNA mismatch repair and causing repeat expansions. The results provide new structural insights into the genetic instability of CCTG repeats in DM2.
An Injectable Living Hydrogel with Embedded Probiotics as a Novel Strategy for Combating Multifaceted Pathogen Wound Infections
Authors: Tao Siyuan , Zhang Sixuan , Wei Kongchang , Maniura‐Weber Katharina , Li Zhihao , Ren Qun
Published: June 2024

Wound infections pose a significant challenge in healthcare, and traditional antibiotic treatments often result in the development of resistant pathogens. Addressing this gap, ProGel is introduced, a living hydrogel created by entrapping probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum as a therapeutic component within a gelatin matrix. With a double‐syringe system, ProGel can be easily mixed and applied, conforming swiftly to any wound shape and forming hydrogel in situ. It also demonstrates robust mechanical and self‐healing properties owing to the Schiff‐base bonds. ProGel sustains more than 80% viability of the entrapped L. plantarum while restricting their escape from the hydrogel. After a week of storage, more than 70% viability of the entrapped L. plantarum is preserved. Importantly, ProGel exhibits broad‐spectrum antimicrobial efficacy against pathogens commonly associated with wound infections, i.e., Pseudomonas aeruginosa (7Log reduction), Staphylococcus aureus (3‐7Log reduction), and Candida albicans (40–70% reduction). Moreover, its cytocompatibility is affirmed through coculture with human dermal fibroblasts. The effectiveness of ProGel is further highlighted in more clinically relevant tests on human skin wound models infected with P. aeruginosa and S. aureus, where it successfully prevents the biofilm formation of these pathogens. This study showcases an injectable living hydrogel system for the management of complex wound infections.
Fast‐Charging Anode Materials for Sodium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Wan Yanhua , Huang Biyan , Liu Wenshuai , Chao Dongliang , Wang Yonggang , Li Wei
Published: June 2024

Sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) have undergone rapid development as a complementary technology to lithium‐ion batteries due to abundant sodium resources. However, the extended charging time and low energy density pose a significant challenge to the widespread use of SIBs in electric vehicles. To overcome this hurdle, there is considerable focus on developing fast‐charging anode materials with rapid Na⁺ diffusion and superior reaction kinetics. Here, the key factors that limit the fast charging of anode materials are examined, which provides a comprehensive overview of the major advances and fast‐charging characteristics across various anode materials. Specifically, it systematically dissects considerations to enhance the rate performance of anode materials, encompassing aspects such as porous engineering, electrolyte desolvation strategies, electrode/electrolyte interphase, electronic conductivity/ion diffusivity, and pseudocapacitive ion storage. Finally, the direction and prospects for developing fast‐charging anode materials of SIBs are also proposed, aiming to provide a valuable reference for the further advancement of high‐power SIBs.
Superior AlGaN/GaN‐Based Phototransistors and Arrays with Reconfigurable Triple‐Mode Functionalities Enabled by Voltage‐Programmed Two‐Dimensional Electron Gas for High‐Quality Imaging
Authors: Zhang Haochen , Liang Fangzhou , Yang Lei , Gao Zhixiang , Liang Kun , Liu Si , Ye Yankai , Yu Huabin , Chen Wei , Kang Yang , Sun Haiding
Published: June 2024

High‐quality imaging units are indispensable in modern optoelectronic systems for accurate recognition and processing of optical information. To fulfill massive and complex imaging tasks in the digital age, devices with remarkable photoresponsive characteristics and versatile reconfigurable functions on a single‐device platform are in demand but remain challenging to fabricate. Herein, an AlGaN/GaN‐based double‐heterostructure is reported, incorporated with a unique compositionally graded AlGaN structure to generate a channel of polarization‐induced two‐dimensional electron gas (2DEGs). Owing to the programmable feature of the 2DEGs by the combined gate and drain voltage inputs, with a particular capability of electron separation, collection and storage under different light illumination, the phototransistor shows reconfigurable multifunctional photoresponsive behaviors with superior characteristics. A self‐powered mode with a responsivity over 100 A W−1 and a photoconductive mode with a responsivity of ≈108 A W−1 are achieved, with the ultimate demonstration of a 10 × 10 device array for imaging. More intriguingly, the device can be switched to photoelectric synapse mode, emulating synaptic functions to denoise the imaging process while prolonging the image storage ability. The demonstration of three‐in‐one operational characteristics in a single device offers a new path toward future integrated and multifunctional imaging units.
Flexible and Thermally Insulating Porous Materials Utilizing Hollow Double‐Shell Polymer Fibers
Authors: Knapczyk‐Korczak Joanna , Szewczyk Piotr K. , Berniak Krzysztof , Marzec Mateusz M. , Frąc Maksymilian , Pichór Waldemar , Stachewicz Urszula
Published: June 2024

The global climate change is mainly caused by carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. To help reduce CO2 emissions and conserve thermal energy, sustainable materials based on flexible thermal insulation are developed to minimize heat flux, drawing inspiration from natural systems such as polar bear hairs. The unique structure of hollow double‐shell fibers makes it possible to achieve low thermal conductivity in the material while retaining exceptional elasticity, allowing it to adapt to insulation systems of any shape. The layered system of porous mats reaches a thermal conductivity coefficient of 0.031 W∙m⁻¹∙K⁻¹ and enables to reduce the heat transfer. The results achieved using scanning thermal microscopy (SThM) correlate with the simulated heat flow in the case of individual fibers. This research study brings new insights into the energy efficiency of domestic environments, thereby addressing the growing demand for sustainable and high‐performance insulation materials for saving energy loss and reducing pollution footprint.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome Exacerbates NASH Progression via Selective Autophagy‐Mediated Eepd1 Degradation
Authors: Xiong Jie , Xu Ying , Wang Ning , Wang Shengming , Zhang Yao , Lu Sijia , Zhang Xiaoman , Liang Xingxing , Liu Chuchu , Jiang Quanxin , Xu Junting , Qian Qiqi , Zhou Peihui , Yin Limin , Liu Feng , Chen Suzhen , Yin Shankai , Liu Junli
Published: June 2024

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), characterized by chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH), is an independent risk factor for aggravating non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The prevailing mouse model employed in CIH research is inadequate for the comprehensive exploration of the impact of CIH on NASH development due to reduced food intake observed in CIH‐exposed mice, which deviates from human responses. To address this issue, a pair‐feeding investigation with CIH‐exposed and normoxia‐exposed mice is conducted. It is revealed that CIH exposure aggravates DNA damage, leading to hepatic fibrosis and inflammation. The analysis of genome‐wide association study (GWAS) data also discloses the association between Eepd1, a DNA repair enzyme, and OSAS. Furthermore, it is revealed that CIH triggered selective autophagy, leading to the autophagic degradation of Eepd1, thereby exacerbating DNA damage in hepatocytes. Notably, Eepd1 liver‐specific knockout mice exhibit aggravated hepatic DNA damage and further progression of NASH. To identify a therapeutic approach for CIH‐induced NASH, a drug screening is conducted and it is found that Retigabine dihydrochloride suppresses CIH‐mediated Eepd1 degradation, leading to alleviated DNA damage in hepatocytes. These findings imply that targeting CIH‐mediated Eepd1 degradation can be an adjunctive approach in the treatment of NASH exacerbated by OSAS.
Breaking Boundaries: Giant Ultraviolet Birefringence in Dimension‐Reduced Zn‐Based Crystals
Authors: Li Yang , Ok Kang Min
Published: June 2024

Birefringent crystals have essential applications in optical communication areas. Low‐dimensional structures with inherited structural anisotropy are potential systems for investigating birefringent materials with large birefringence. In this work, the zero‐dimensional (0D) [(p‐C5H5NO)2ZnCl2] (1) and [p‐C5H6NO]2[ZnCl4] (2) were obtained by introducing the π‐conjugated p‐C5H5NO (4HP) into the three‐dimensional (3D) ZnCl2. Remarkably, 1 exhibits a giant birefringence of 0.482@546 nm, which is the largest among Zn‐based ultraviolet (UV) compounds and 160 times that of ZnCl2. According to structural and theoretical calculation analyses, the large optical polarizability, high spatial density, ideal distribution of the [(4HP)2ZnCl2]0 cluster, and the low dimension of 1 result in the dramatically increased birefringence compared to ZnCl2. This work will provide a valid route for accelerating the design and synthesis of compounds with excellent birefringence in low‐dimensional systems.
Orchestrating the ecosystem for data‐driven digital services and solutions: A multi‐level framework for the realization of sustainable industry
Authors: Kolagar Milad
Published: June 2024

The purpose of this study is to investigate how large manufacturing firms can orchestrate their ecosystem for the successful co‐creation of data‐driven digital services and solutions as a way to achieve sustainable industry benefits. An exploratory single‐case study approach has been adopted for this study, which included 23 in‐depth interviews conducted with informants from seven Swedish and international companies involved in a transportation ecosystem. Based on the analysis, this study has developed a multi‐level framework for ecosystem orchestration that contains three main operational levels: individual, organization, and ecosystem, with an integrated sustainable industry benefits section as the outcome of this process. By providing a detailed account of ecosystem orchestration, this study contributes to the successful co‐creation of digital services and solutions. In addition, insights from this research can be used as a continuous evaluation and improvement tool for managers to orchestrate their ecosystem for digital servitization.
Nucleation Control and Isolation of Polymorphic Forms of Aspirin through an Efficient Template‐Assisted Swift Cooling Process
Authors: Muthusamy Ramya , Gnanasekar Nandhu varshini , Karuppannan Srinivasan
Published: June 2024

Aspirin, a commonly used pharmaceutical therapeutic pharmacological substance, exhibits cross‐nucleation (intergrowth or overgrowth) of stable polymorphic Form‐I over the preferably required metastable polymorphic Form‐II, which creates a bottleneck issue in the solution crystallization of aspirin in most organic solvents and their mixtures. Controlling the overgrowth phenomenon is a key factor for designing the pharmaceutical drug material aspirin with desired properties. Hence, our present work chose a novel template‐assisted swift cooling crystallization with selected templates like copper‐wire and nylon 6/6 polymer, and also N‐N‐Dimethylformamide (DMF) as a solvent. The pure solution in the absence and the presence of a nylon 6/6 template in all the experimental supersaturation ranges achieves only thermodynamically stable polymorphic Form‐I of aspirin with slightly different morphologies. Contrarily, the presence of a copper‐wire template induces both stable and metastable polymorphs of aspirin depending on the level of supersaturation in the mother solution. The effect of templates on the nucleation kinetics of aspirin polymorphs is estimated using classical nucleation theory, and the determined values exactly match with experimental results. The polymorphic nature of the grown crystals is ascertained by powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD), single crystal X‐ray diffraction (SCXRD), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analyses.
Dual‐Anion‐Stabilized Cuδ+ Sites in Cu2(OH)2CO3 for High C2+ Selectivity in the CO2 Electroreduction Reaction
Authors: He Xin , Wang Min , Wei Zixuan , Wang Yang , Wang Jie , Zang Haojie , Zhang Lingxia
Published: June 2024

The excessive emission of CO2 has aroused increasingly serious environmental problems. Electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) is an effective way to reduce CO2 concentration and simultaneously produce highly valued chemicals and fuels. Cuδ+ species are regarded as promising active sites to obtain multi‐carbon compounds in CO2RR, however, they are easily reduced to Cu0 during the reaction and fail to retain the satisfying selectivity for C2+ products. Herein, via a one‐step method, we synthesize Cu2(OH)2CO3 microspheres composed of nanosheets, which has achieved a superior Faraday efficiency for C2+ products as high as 76.29 % at −1.55 V vs. RHE in an H cell and 78.07 % at −100 mA cm−2 in a flow cell. Electrochemical measurements, in situ Raman spectra and attenuated total reflectance infrared spectra (ATR‐IR) as well as the theoretic calculation unveil that, compared with Cu(OH)2 and CuO, the dual O‐containing anionic groups (OH− and CO32−) in Cu2(OH)2CO3 can effectively stabilize the Cuδ+ species, promote the adsorption and activation of CO2, boost the coverage of *CO and the coupling of *CO−*COH, thus sustain the flourishment of C2+ products.
Doping control analysis of myo‐inositol trispyrophosphate and 10 bisphosphonates in equine plasma by ion chromatography–mass spectrometry and its application to clodronic acid horse administration
Authors: Wong April Sum Yee , Yuen Bruce Pui‐Nam , Wong Celia Oi Ling , Kong Fred Ka‐Wai , So Yat‐Ming , Kwok Wai Him , Brooks Lydia , Wan Terence See Ming , Ho Emmie Ngai‐Man
Published: June 2024

Bisphosphonates and myo‐inositol trispyrophosphate (ITPP) are two classes of difficult‐to‐detect polar drugs that are prohibited under the rules of racing. ITPP is a drug capable of increasing the amount of oxygen in hypoxic tissues, and studies have shown that administration of ITPP increases the maximal exercise capacity in mice. The properties of ITPP make it an ideal candidate as a doping agent to enhance performance in racehorses. In recent years, ITPP had indeed been detected in racehorses and confiscated items. As for bisphosphonates, it is especially critical to control their use as since February 2019, the International Agreement on Breeding, Racing and Wagering (IABRW) by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) had identified specific conditions on which bisphosphonates should not be administered to a racehorse. A recent review of literature shows that there is yet a simultaneous screening method for detecting ITPP and bisphosphonates in equine samples. This paper describes an efficient ion chromatography high‐resolution mass spectrometry (IC‐HRMS) method for the simultaneous detection of ITPP and 10 bisphosphonates at sub‐parts‐per‐billion (ppb) to low‐ppb levels in equine plasma after solid‐phase extraction (SPE) and its application to an administration study of clodronic acid in horses.
Effect of increasing temperature and temperature fluctuations on alfalfa and orchardgrass in the establishment year
Authors: Isaacson Ashley , Contosta Alexandra , Smith Richard G. , Stamplis Christopher , Lowry Carolyn J.
Published: June 2024

Understanding how a warmer and more variable climate will affect the productivity and stability of perennial forages in the establishment year is essential for determining forage management strategies resilient to the changing climate. We conducted an experiment from 2020–2021 and repeated it in 2021–2022 to determine how warmer and more variable temperatures affect yield of an alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)–orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) mixture, as well as on the abundance of a winter annual weed, chickweed (Stellaria media), during the establishment year. We utilized open‐top chambers (OTCs) to manipulate air temperature in situ to impose three treatments: (1) constant warming (OTC present year‐round), (2) fluctuating warming (OTC present year‐round but temporarily removed prior to abrupt cold snaps), and (3) control (no OTC, ambient air temperature). OTCs increased air temperature within the alfalfa–orchardgrass canopy by an average of 0.45 and 0.72°C in Year 1 and Year 2, respectively; however, the effects of OTCs on air temperature varied temporally within and between years. Constant warming decreased alfalfa frost injury compared with the control, while the control and fluctuating warming resulted in similar levels of frost injury. Warmer temperature within the OTCs neither affected chickweed biomass nor the biomass of all other weed species. Both constant and fluctuating warming increased forage dry matter yield at the first harvest timepoint in the spring of both years, the period when preceding ambient air temperature tended to be cooler than other harvest timepoints. We found that the constant warming increased total forage yield (summed over the entire year) in Year 1, when precipitation was well above the 30‐year normal for our region, but decreased total forage yield in Year 2, when summer precipitation was substantially below the 30‐year normal. As global temperature continues to rise, yield loss of cool‐season perennial forages, such as alfalfa and orchardgrass, may be exacerbated in years without adequate precipitation. Therefore, exploring heat‐ and drought‐tolerant alternative forages, as well as management strategies that improve resilience to weather variability, will be increasingly important.
Unraveling community assembly in temperate desert ecosystems: Insights from multi‐seasonal surveys along the expressway
Authors: Li Shuai , Zhao Xiaolong , Liu Yiqin , Xu Yudan , Yang Mingyue , Dong Shikui
Published: June 2024

For temperate desert ecosystems, understanding the maintenance mechanisms of biodiversity has become a central concern of policymakers, practitioners, and academicians, especially in the context of human disturbances. However, most of the past desert research is based on a single survey and single functional traits or phylogeny, and may lead to incomplete estimates of community assembly. To assess climate factors, soil factors, and human interference in the processes of dispersal assembly, filtering, and limiting similarity in community assembly, we selected 50 sites along the Beijing‐Xinjiang Expressway and conducted plant surveys at sites 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 km away from the expressway twice, one in spring and one in autumn, and collected 31 functional traits and phylogenetic information of 74 species. We found that incomplete detection can lead to bias in biodiversity estimation due to seasonal surveys. Road disturbance at different distances had no significant effect on species composition and community assembly processes. The trade‐off between dispersal limitation and environmental filtering is the process of maintaining desert plant diversity. Precipitation directly determined the dispersal limitation and environmental filtering. Soil pH mediated the effect of temperature on biotic interaction in the dimension of phylogeny, while soil pH and organic carbon acted as intermediate factors affecting biotic interaction in functional traits. Our findings suggest that climate change, notably precipitation, has a more pronounced impact on desert plant communities than human disturbances. A multifaceted approach considering functional traits and phylogeny across seasons is essential for understanding species coexistence in desert ecosystems.
Similarity network aggregation for the analysis of glacier ecosystems
Authors: Ambrosini Roberto , Baccini Federica , Barabesi Lucio
Published: June 2024

The synthesis of information deriving from complex networks is a topic receiving increasing relevance in ecology and environmental sciences. In particular, the aggregation of multilayer networks, that is, network structures formed by multiple interacting networks (the layers), constitutes a fast‐growing field. In several environmental applications, the layers of a multilayer network are modeled as a collection of similarity matrices describing how similar pairs of biological entities are, based on different types of features (e.g., biological traits). The present paper first discusses two main techniques for combining the multi‐layered information into a single network (the so‐called monoplex), that is, similarity network fusion and similarity matrix average (SMA). Then, the effectiveness of the two methods is tested on a real‐world dataset of the relative abundance of microbial species in the ecosystems of nine glaciers (four glaciers in the Alps and five in the Andes). A preliminary clustering analysis on the monoplexes obtained with different methods shows the emergence of a tightly connected community formed by species that are typical of cryoconite holes worldwide. Moreover, the weights assigned to different layers by the SMA algorithm suggest that two large South American glaciers (Exploradores and Perito Moreno) are structurally different from the smaller glaciers in both Europe and South America. Overall, these results highlight the importance of integration methods in the discovery of the underlying organizational structure of biological entities in multilayer ecological networks.
New approaches in pear preservation: Putrescine and modified atmosphere packaging applications to maintain fruit quality during cold storage
Authors: Ogurlu Ferhat , Kucuker Emine , Aglar Erdal , Kizgin Ozcengiz Ceyda , Uyak Cuneyt
Published: June 2024

Pear (P. communis L.), which is a climacteric fruit species, has a very short storage and shelf life, and significant losses occur due to high metabolic activity and the fruit's respiration rate after harvest. Therefore, preventing or reducing post‐harvest quality losses in pear is one of the most basic problems awaiting solution. In this study, we planned for this purpose; the fruits of the Ankara pear cultivar treated with modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), putrescine (1 mM), and MAP + putrescine were stored for 120 days at 1°C and 90 ± 5% relative humidity. The quality analyses and measurements, such as weight loss, decay rate, fruit firmness, soluble solids content (SSC), titratable acidity (TA), total phenolic compounds, antioxidant capacity, organic acids, and specific phenolic compounds, were performed on the 30th, 60th, 90th, and 120th days. Weight loss and decay ratios were lower for putrescine and putrescine + MAP‐applied fruit. With these applications, the softening of the fruit was slowed down, and the increasing SSC in the fruit and the decreasing TA rates were lower, and thus the ripening of the fruit was delayed. Changes in individual phenolic content and organic acids were lower in MAP and putrescine‐applied fruit. The study revealed that MAP and putrescine applications in pear can be used effectively to maintain fruit quality after harvest.
The role of human agency in nurses' hopeful career state
Authors: Al Balushi Issa , Yoon Hyung Joon , Risch Tatum
Published: June 2024

This study explores the role of human agency in shaping the hopeful career state (HCS) of nurses in Oman during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Utilizing the enhanced critical incident technique (ECIT) and integrating Albert Bandura's three modes of agency (i.e., personal, proxy, and collective), this study aimed to identify helping and hindering factors affecting Omani nurses' HCS during the pandemic, while uncovering their wishes. Sixteen nurses from Oman's public healthcare sector were interviewed. The top three helping factors were family support (81.3%), support from leaders and senior colleagues (56.3%), and multidisciplinary team collaboration (43.8%). The most frequently reported hindering factors were lack of equipment, supplies, and infrastructure (100%), shortage of nurses (56.3%), and increased workload (50%). The top three wish‐list items included specialized hospitals for infectious diseases (62.5%), training and staff development (43.8%), and more nurses (31.3%). Through force‐field analysis, we delineated the agents and modes of agency at play, offering insights for targeted Human Resource Development (HRD) interventions. This study contributes to the HRD literature by illustrating the dynamic interplay of agency factors in crisis conditions. The findings highlight the need for HRD practitioners to develop multilevel interventions that foster personal, proxy, and collective agency to support healthcare workers' HCS during crises, providing a foundation for future strategies in healthcare and beyond.
Germline pathogenic variants in the MRE11, RAD50, and NBN (MRN) genes in cancer predisposition: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Stastna Barbora , Dolezalova Tatana , Matejkova Katerina , Nemcova Barbora , Zemankova Petra , Janatova Marketa , Kleiblova Petra , Soukupova Jana , Kleibl Zdenek
Published: June 2024

The MRE11, RAD50, and NBN genes encode the MRN complex sensing DNA breaks and directing their repair. While carriers of biallelic germline pathogenic variants (gPV) develop rare chromosomal instability syndromes, the cancer risk in heterozygotes remains controversial. We performed a systematic review and meta‐analysis of 53 studies in patients with different cancer diagnoses to better understand the cancer risk. We found an increased risk (odds ratio, 95% confidence interval) for gPV carriers in NBN for melanoma (7.14; 3.30–15.43), pancreatic cancer (4.03; 2.14–7.58), hematological tumors (3.42; 1.14–10.22), and prostate cancer (2.44, 1.84–3.24), but a low risk for breast cancer (1.29; 1.00–1.66) and an insignificant risk for ovarian cancer (1.53; 0.76–3.09). We found no increased breast cancer risk in carriers of gPV in RAD50 (0.93; 0.74–1.16; except of c.687del carriers) and MRE11 (0.87; 0.66–1.13). The secondary burden analysis compared the frequencies of gPV in MRN genes in patients from 150 studies with those in the gnomAD database. In NBN gPV carriers, this analysis additionally showed a high risk for brain tumors (5.06; 2.39–9.52), a low risk for colorectal (1.64; 1.26–2.10) and hepatobiliary (2.16; 1.02–4.06) cancers, and no risk for endometrial, and gastric cancer. The secondary burden analysis showed also a moderate risk for ovarian cancer (3.00; 1.27–6.08) in MRE11 gPV carriers, and no risk for ovarian and hepatobiliary cancers in RAD50 gPV carriers. These findings provide a robust clinical evidence of cancer risks to guide personalized clinical management in heterozygous carriers of gPV in the MRE11, RAD50, and NBN genes.
Potential COVID‐19 remedies from repurposed drugs and herbal small RNAs
Authors: Yang Yang , Huang Fengming , Qiao Xiangyu , Chen Sheng , Zhang Cong , Deng Xingyu , Gu Wentao , Peng Ling , Cao Mengli , Jiang Jingmei , Gao George F. , Liu Yingxia , Jiang Chengyu
Published: June 2024

To date, SARS‐CoV‐2 has caused millions of deaths, but the choice of treatment is limited. We previously established a platform for identifying Food and Drug Administration (FDA)‐approved repurposed drugs for avian influenza A virus infections that could be used for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) treatment. In this study, we analyzed blood samples from two cohorts of 63 COVID‐19 patients, including 19 patients with severe disease. Among the 39 FDA‐approved drugs we identified for COVID‐19 therapy in both cohorts, 23 drugs were confirmed by literature mining data, including 14 drugs already under COVID‐19 clinical trials and 9 drugs reported for COVID‐19 treatments, suggesting the remaining 16 FDA‐approved drugs may be candidates for COVID‐19 therapy. Additionally, we previously reported that herbal small RNAs (sRNAs) could be effective components in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for treating COVID‐19. Based on the abundance of sRNAs, we screened the 245 TCMs in the Bencao (herbal) sRNA Atlas that we had previously established, and we found that the top 12 TCMs for COVID‐19 treatment was consistent across both cohorts. We validated the efficiency of the top 30 sRNAs from each of the top 3 TCMs for COVID‐19 treatment in poly(I:C)‐stimulated human non‐small cell lung cancer cells (A549 cells). In conclusion, our study recommends potential COVID‐19 remedies using FDA‐approved repurposed drugs and herbal sRNAs from TCMs.
How much is enough? The role of R&D investment in the innovation process
Authors: Ng Desmond , Sánchez‐Aragón Leonardo
Published: June 2024

While both production function (PF) and Absorptive Capacity (AC) explanations have played an important role in explaining the relationship between a firm's Research and Development (R&D) and its innovation, each has developed independently of the contributions of the other. The purpose of this study is to theoretically and empirically develop a concept of AC that incorporates the role of diminishing returns and external spillovers (i.e., strategic alliances) into a biotechnology firm's R&D‐innovation process. In using count estimations, this study finds that a firm's R&D‐innovation process is subject to a nonlinear ‐U‐shaped‐ learning process and that this process is moderated by its strategic partnerships. The contribution of this study is that it challenges the linearity assumptions and findings of AC research and that it offers a greater openness to PF explanations of the R&D‐innovation process.
Automated structural repair based on continuous carbon fiber reinforced plastic 3D printing and online model reconstruction
Authors: Zhang Yan , Chen Jiayun , Chen Lei , Gao Dong
Published: June 2024

Additive manufacturing of continuous carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CCFRP) has gained increasing prominence in structural repair through material accumulation. However, the repairing process entails laborious preliminary tasks, such as positioning, model reconstruction, and data input. In this article, computer vision is integrated into a CCFRP 3D printing device and a printing path‐selecting strategy is proposed to automate the repair process with accuracy and efficiency. An irregularly damaged structure is placed arbitrarily on the printing platform. Subsequently, the damaged area is extracted by semantic segmentation to construct a 3D model. The printing paths including zig‐zag and contour offset infilling for an irregular damage area are selected, according to the prediction of flexural modulus based on the finite element method. Finally, an in‐situ composite printing is conducted based on coaxial extrusion principle. The results show that the intersection over union (IOU) of regular damaged areas by the applied pyramid scene parsing network (PSPNet) segmentation model is 0.81. Semantic segmentation is more robust than conventional feature extraction based on filtering methods. The appearance of the repaired structure is consistent with that of the surrounding structure. The combination of CV and additive manufacturing technology presents a new way to simplify the repair process and improve repair effects.

Highlights

An automated repairing system for irregular damaged areas is established.

Deep learning for semantic segmentation is integrated into 3D printing.

Finite element submodule is introduced to select optimal printing paths.

The CCFRP 3D printing is introduced to surface defect repairing.
Confirmation and inheritance of glufosinate resistance in an Amaranthus palmeri population from North Carolina
Authors: Jones Eric A. L. , Dunne Jeffrey C. , Cahoon Charles W. , Jennings Katherine M. , Leon Ramon G. , Everman Wesley J.
Published: June 2024

A putative glufosinate‐resistant Amaranthus palmeri population was reported in 2015 in Anson County, North Carolina. The results from dose–response assays conducted in the field suggested plants were surviving lethal rates of glufosinate. Dose–response assays conducted in the glasshouse determined the Anson County accession exhibited reduced susceptibility to glufosinate compared to three glufosinate‐susceptible populations. The LD50 values (210–316 g ai ha−1) for the Anson County population were always higher than the LD50 values (118–158 g ai ha−1) for the tested susceptible populations from the dose–response assays. Anson County plants that survived lethal glufosinate rates were reciprocally crossed with susceptible plants to create F1 genotypes and treated with a lethal rate of glufosinate (267 g ai ha−1; ascertained from glasshouse dose–response assay) to determine the distribution of injury and survival for each cross compared to a cross of susceptible parents. The distribution of injury was non‐normal for the crosses containing an Anson County plant compared to the cross with a susceptible parent. Survival was 68%–84% for crosses containing an Anson County plant, whereas the survival was significantly reduced to 35% for the susceptible plant cross. Chi‐square goodness of fit tests were used to test inheritance models to describe the responses of the genotypes. The resistant × susceptible crosses were best described with a heterozygous two loci with incomplete dominance model compared to the resistant × resistant cross that was best described with a heterozygous single locus with incomplete dominance model. The Anson County population has evolved resistance to glufosinate that is heritable and likely conferred by an oligogenic mechanism with incomplete dominance.
High‐Performance Multifunctional Carbon Fibrous Sponges Derived from Pitch
Authors: Wang Haiyang , Bai Xiaopeng , Wu Yufeng , Peng Du , Liu Junchen , Li Ziwei , Cheng Zekun , Zhou Yiqian , Huang Kai , Li Bo , Wu Hui
Published: June 2024

3D carbon‐based porous sponges are recognized for significant potential in oil absorption and electromagnetic interference (EMI). However, their widespread application is hindered by a common compromise between high performance and affordability of mass production. Herein, a novel approach is introduced that involves laser‐assisted micro‐zone heating melt‐blown spinning (LMHMS) to address this challenge by creating pitch‐based submicron carbon fibers (PSCFs) sponge with 3D interconnected structures. These structures bestow the resulting sponge exceptional characteristics including low density (≈20 mg cm−3), high porosity (≈99%), remarkable compressibility (80% maximum strain), and superior conductivity (≈628 S m−1). The resultant PSCF sponges realize an oil/organic solvent sorption capacity over 56 g/g and possess remarkable regenerated ability. In addition to their effectiveness in cleaning up oil/organic solvent spills, they also demonstrated strong electromagnetic shielding capabilities, with a total shielding effectiveness (SE) exceeding 60 dB across the X‐band GHz range. In virtue of extreme lightweight of ≈20 mg cm−3, the specific SE of the PSCF sponge reaches as high as ≈1466 dB cm3 g−1, surpassing the performance of numerous carbon‐based porous structures. Thus, the unique blend of properties renders these sponges promising for transforming strategies in addressing oil/organic solvent contaminations and providing effective protection against EMI.
FinTech services from BigTech companies
Authors: Puschmann Thomas , Halimi Engjull
Published: June 2024

The so‐called BigTech companies Amazon, Alphabet, Apple and Meta and are constantly attempting to grow into new business areas. Due to their expertise in data analysis, they have managed to quickly establish themselves in many industries as digital ecosystems and, as part of this strategy, are also expanding their footprint in financial services. However, the biggest challenge that BigTech companies are facing in financial services is customer acceptance. This paper contributes to the emerging field of digital ecosystems and the acceptance of sensitive services by users. Although the BigTech firms have gained much attention, only little empirical analysis is available. This paper aims to shed light on the determinants of customer acceptance of BigTech banking services. Based on a survey in Switzerland this research develops an analytic model to identify and test the relevant determinants. The results indicate that the strongest significant influences were found in subjective risk and trust which clearly demonstrates the still‐existing incumbents' advantage over the BigTech companies.
Die Rolle von OPA1 bei der Fusion von Mitochondrien
Authors: von der Malsburg Alexander
Published: June 2024

Mitochondria form extensive networks that rapidly adapt to cellular demands. The formation and disassembly of these structures result from a balance between fission and fusion of the two mitochondrial membranes that are decisively controlled by Dynamin-like GTPases such as OPA1. This protein forms oligomers which mediate the fusion of the inner mitochondrial membrane by a unique mechanism that involves the generation of curvature and the extraction of cardiolipin from the lipid bilayer.
Nitrogenasen: Vielfältige Katalysatoren für eine nachhaltige Bioökonomie?
Authors: Rebelein Johannes Georg
Published: June 2024

Nitrogenases are the only enzymes that reduce molecular nitrogen (N2) to ammonia. Recently, we could demonstrate that nitrogenases also reduce the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO2), suggesting CO2 to be substrate. Indeed, the iron nitrogenase reduces CO2 into formate and CH4 under physiological conditions. Based on Rhodobacter capsulatus, we could establish a light-driven formation of these products, which serve as substrates for other microbes and feedstock chemicals for a green economy.
Construction of Remote Sensing Quantitative Model for Biomass of Deciduous Broad-Leaved Forest in Mazongling Nature Reserve Based on Machine Learning
Authors: Tang Xuehai , Yu Dagui , Lv Haiyan , Ou Qiangxin , Xie Meiqin , Fan Peng , Huang Qingfeng
Published: June 2024

As an important forest type, deciduous broad-leaved forest is crucial for estimating forest carbon sequestration capacity and evaluating forest carbon balance. This study focuses on the natural deciduous broad-leaved forest of Mazongling Nature Reserve in Jinzhai County of China. WorldView-2 images were selected as data source. 36 candidate factors including vegetation indices, texture features, and topographic factors were used for modelling. Three machine learning algorithms (i.e., random forest, k-nearest neighbor, and artificial neural network) were used to establish the optimal quantitative retrieval model for natural deciduous broad-leaved biomass. Results showed that the ANN model was the best predictor with R2 = 0.69 and RMSE = 31.53 (Mg·ha−1). Combining the ANN model with the complete spatial coverage of remote sensing data, we developed a distribution map of natural deciduous broad-leaved biomass in the Mazongling forest farm. The estimated average biomass of the study area was 90.34 ± 47.96 Mg·ha−1. In addition, the influence of light saturation on model accuracy is also discussed. This study confirms that remote sensing data in temporal and spatial space can improve the model estimation accuracy.