bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Parenting under pressure: Parental transmission and buffering of child fear during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Uy Jessica P. , Schwartz Chloe , Chu Kristen A. , Towner Emily , Lemus Alejandra , Brito Natalie H. , Callaghan Bridget L.
Published: March 2022

The current study investigated the impacts of parental behaviors (threat communication and comforting) on children's COVID‐19 fears and whether effects differed by age. Caregivers of 283 children (5.5–17 years, M = 10.17, SD = 3.25) from 186 families completed online measures assessing children's and parents’ COVID‐19‐related fears, children's sources of COVID‐19 threat information, and parents’ engagement in behaviors to reduce child distress (i.e., comfort behaviors). Higher COVID‐19 fear in parents was associated with greater communication of COVID‐19 threat information, which was associated with higher COVID‐19 fear in younger, but not older, children. Over and above parental fear and threat communication, greater exposure to COVID‐19 threat information from community sources (e.g., media, school, friends) was associated with greater COVID‐19 fear in children, regardless of age. Greater engagement of parental comfort behaviors buffered the association between community sources of COVID‐19 threat information and COVID‐19 fears in older, but not younger, children. These findings suggest that younger children might be more vulnerable to developing heightened COVID‐19 fears as a result of increasing sources of COVID‐19 threat information in their lives. This study highlights the importance of supporting the socioemotional well‐being of children and families through the COVID‐19 pandemic and beyond.
Effects of operational taxonomic unit inference methods on soil microeukaryote community analysis using long‐read metabarcoding
Authors: Eshghi Sahraei Shadi , Furneaux Brendan , Kluting Kerri , Zakieh Mustafa , Rydin Håkan , Hytteborn Håkan , Rosling Anna
Published: March 2022

Long amplicon metabarcoding has opened the door for phylogenetic analysis of the largely unknown communities of microeukaryotes in soil. Here, we amplified and sequenced the ITS and LSU regions of the rDNA operon (around 1500 bp) from grassland soils using PacBio SMRT sequencing. We tested how three different methods for generation of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) effected estimated richness and identified taxa, and how well large‐scale ecological patterns associated with shifting environmental conditions were recovered in data from the three methods. The field site at Kungsängen Nature Reserve has drawn frequent visitors since Linnaeus's time, and its species rich vegetation includes the largest population of Fritillaria meleagris in Sweden. To test the effect of different OTU generation methods, we sampled soils across an abrupt moisture transition that divides the meadow community into a Carex acuta dominated plant community with low species richness in the wetter part, which is visually distinct from the mesic‐dry part that has a species rich grass‐dominated plant community including a high frequency of F. meleagris. We used the moisture and plant community transition as a framework to investigate how detected belowground microeukaryotic community composition was influenced by OTU generation methods. Soil communities in both moisture regimes were dominated by protists, a large fraction of which were taxonomically assigned to Ciliophora (Alveolata) while 30%–40% of all reads were assigned to kingdom Fungi. Ecological patterns were consistently recovered irrespective of OTU generation method used. However, different methods strongly affect richness estimates and the taxonomic and phylogenetic resolution of the characterized community with implications for how well members of the microeukaryotic communities can be recognized in the data.
Going remote: Recommendations for normalizing virtual internships
Authors: Hruska Amy M. , Cawood Alison , Pagenkopp Lohan Katrina M. , Ogburn Matthew B. , Komatsu Kimberly J.
Published: March 2022

Research internships provide students with invaluable experience conducting independent research, contributing to larger research programs, and embedding in a professional scientific setting. These experiences increase student persistence in ecology and other science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields and promote the inclusion of students who lack opportunities at their home institutions and/or are from groups that are underrepresented in STEM. While many ecology internship programs were canceled during the 2020 COVID‐19 pandemic, others successfully adapted to offer virtual internships for the first time. Though different from what many researchers and students envision when they think of internships, virtual ecology internship programs can create more accessible opportunities and be just as valuable as in‐person opportunities when research programs and advisors develop virtual internships with intention and planning. Here, we highlight six ways to structure a virtual intern project, spanning a spectrum from purely computer‐based opportunities (e.g., digital data gathering, data analysis, or synthesis) to fully hands‐on research (e.g., sample processing or home‐based experiments). We illustrate examples of these virtual projects through a case study of the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center's 2020 Virtual Internship Program. Next, we provide 10 recommendations for effectively developing a virtual internship program. Finally, we end with ways that virtual internships can avoid the limitations of in‐person internships, as well as possible solutions to perceived pitfalls of virtual internships. While virtual internships became a necessity in 2020 due to COVID‐19, the development and continuation of virtual internships in future can be a valuable tool to add to the suite of existing internship opportunities, possibly further promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in ecology and STEM.
Turnover in butterfly communities and traits along an elevational gradient in the eastern Himalaya, India
Authors: Dewan Sailendra , Sanders Nathan J. , Acharya Bhoj Kumar
Published: March 2022

Beta (β)‐diversity varies along environmental gradients, and understanding what drives such variation might provide insights into the factors that shape community structure from place to place. Here, we delineate the spatial pattern of β‐diversity, analyze its underlying mechanisms, and examine variation in functional traits of butterflies along an extensive elevational gradient (300–3000 m) in the eastern Himalaya, the largest mountain system in the world. We sampled butterflies at 16 sites along this gradient using a fixed‐width point count method and estimated habitat variables at each site. We obtained trait data from our field collections and secondary sources as necessary. We partitioned β‐diversity into its turnover, nestedness, balanced variation, and abundance gradient components. We used generalized dissimilarity modeling to determine the underlying mechanisms affecting the pattern of β‐diversity along the gradient. The pattern of β‐diversity in butterflies at adjacent sites exhibited a mid elevation peak. Dissimilarity between sites increased with the increase in distance between the sites. Turnover or the balanced variation made major contributions to the overall β‐diversity. Among the set of factors, actual evapotranspiration was positively correlated with β‐diversity. The trait‐based analysis revealed biogeographic affinity as the best predictor of community composition along the elevational gradient. The high β‐diversity arises from turnover rather than nestedness component. We conclude that the pattern of β‐diversity of butterflies in the Himalaya is largely due to environmental filtering rather than geographic extent.
Changes in clinical and imaging variables during withdrawal of heart failure therapy in recovered dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Halliday Brian P. , Owen Ruth , Gregson John , Vazir Ali , Wassall Rebecca , Khalique Zohya , Lota Amrit S. , Tayal Upasana , Hammersley Daniel J. , Jones Richard E. , Pennell Dudley J. , Cowie Martin R. , Cleland John G.F. , Prasad Sanjay K.
Published: March 2022

Aims

This study aimed to profile the changes in non‐invasive clinical, biochemical, and imaging markers during withdrawal of therapy in patients with recovered dilated cardiomyopathy, providing insights into the pathophysiology of relapse.

Methods and results

Clinical, biochemical, and imaging data from patients during phased withdrawal of therapy in the randomized or single‐arm cross‐over phases of TRED‐HF were profiled. Clinical variables were measured at each study visit and imaging variables were measured at baseline, 16 weeks, and 6 months. Amongst the 49 patients [35% women, mean age 53.6 years (standard deviation 11.6)] who withdrew therapy, 20 relapsed. Increases in mean heart rate [7.6 beats per minute (95% confidence interval, CI, 4.5, 10.7)], systolic blood pressure [6.6 mmHg (95% CI 2.7, 10.5)], and diastolic blood pressure [5.8 mmHg (95% CI 3.1, 8.5)] were observed within 4–8 weeks of starting to withdraw therapy. A rise in mean left ventricular (LV) mass [5.1 g/m2 (95% CI 2.8, 7.3)] and LV end‐diastolic volume [3.9 mL/m2 (95% CI 1.1, 6.7)] and a reduction in mean LV ejection fraction [−4.2 (95% CI −6.6, −1.8)] were seen by 16 weeks, the earliest imaging follow‐up. Plasma N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) fell immediately after withdrawing beta‐blockers and only tended to increase 6 months after beginning therapy withdrawal [mean change in log NT‐proBNP at 6 months: 0.2 (95% CI −0.1, 0.4)].

Conclusions

Changes in plasma NT‐proBNP are a late feature of relapse, often months after a reduction in LV function. A rise in heart rate and blood pressure is observed soon after withdrawing therapy in recovered dilated cardiomyopathy, typically accompanied or closely followed by early changes in LV structure and function.
Direct Synthesis of Vinylene Carbonates from Aromatic Aldehydes**
Authors: Onida Killian , Ibrahimli Leyli , Duguet Nicolas
Published: March 2022

Substituted vinylene carbonates were directly prepared from aromatic aldehydes following a one‐pot Benzoin condensation/transcarbonation sequence under solvent‐free conditions. The combination of a N‐phenyl substituted triazolium salt NHC precursor and 4‐dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) was found essential to reach high yield and selectivity. The reaction scope was investigated with a range of aromatic aldehydes and the corresponding vinylene carbonates were obtained with 32–86 % isolated yields (14 examples).
The Risk‐Reducing Effect of Aspirin in Lynch Syndrome Carriers: Development and Evaluation of an Educational Leaflet
Authors: Kaur Rajneesh , McDonald Cassandra , Meiser Bettina , Macrae Finlay , Smith Sian K , Kang Yoon Jung , Caruana Michael , Mitchell Gillian
Published: March 2022

Carriers of germline mutations in genes associated with Lynch syndrome are at increased risk for colorectal, endometrial, ovarian, and other cancers. There is evidence that daily consumption of aspirin may reduce cancer risk in these individuals. There is a need for educational resources to inform carriers of the risk‐reducing effects of aspirin or to support decision‐making. An educational leaflet describing the risks and benefits of using aspirin as risk‐reducing medicine in carriers of Lynch‐syndrome‐related mutations is developed and pilot tested in 2017. Carriers are ascertained through a familial cancer clinic and surveyed using a mailed, self‐administered questionnaire. The leaflet is highly rated for its content, clarity, length, relevance, and visual appeal by more than 70% of the participants. Most participants (91%) report “a lot” or “quite a bit” of improvement in perceived understanding in knowledge about who might benefit from taking aspirin, its benefits, how long to take it, the reduction in bowel cancer risk, and the optimal dosage. A few (14%) participants seek more information on the dosage of aspirin. This leaflet will be useful as an aid to facilitate discussion between patients and their health care professionals about the use of aspirin as a risk‐reducing medication.
Analgesic effects of sterile water injection in the management of low back pain during labor: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Huang Chueh‐Yi , Lo Sheu‐Fang , Chou Shih‐Hsiang , Shih Chia‐Lung
Published: March 2022

Background

Sterile water injections (SWIs) as a non‐pharmacologic and cost‐effective method have been adopted to relieve low back labor pain (LBLP).

Objective

To compare the efficacy of intradermal and subdermal SWIs in the treatment of LBLP.

Search strategy

Three databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, and ScienceDirect) were searched to find relevant articles using two terms, “labor” and “sterile water”.

Selection criteria

Studies reporting women with LBLP treated by intradermal or subdermal SWIs in the low back area were included.

Data collection and analysis

Mean differences with 95% confidence interval (CI) and relative risk with 95% CI were used to estimate VAS score and cesarean section rate, respectively.

Main results

Except for 10 min, the patients in the intradermal or subdermal SWI group experienced considerable pain reduction compared with the control group for 30–45, 60, and 90 min. Directly comparing intradermal and subdermal SWI groups, the subdermal injection group had significantly better pain relief than the intradermal injection group only at 10 min after treatment.

Conclusions

Both intradermal and subdermal SWIs could reduce LBLP at 30–90 min. The subdermal SWI had significantly better LBLP relief than the intradermal injection only at 10 min after treatment.
Is sonographic measurement of head‐perineum distance useful to predict obstetrical anal sphincter injury in case of vacuum delivery?
Authors: Garabedian Charles , Plurien Alix , Benoit Laure , Kyheng Maeva , Thuillier Claire , Sanchez Maeva , Turcsak Anaïs , Rozenberg Patrick , Berveiller Paul
Published: March 2022

Objective

Determine if head‐perineum distance (HPD) measurement before vacuum extraction (VE) was predictive of an obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASIS) occurrence.

Methods

Retrospective, bicentric (Lille and Poissy, France) cohort study conducted from January 2019 to June 2020. All VE in singleton pregnancies of ≥34 weeks were included. HPD measurement was performed without compression of the tissues before each VE. The judgment criterion was the occurrence of an OASIS.

Results

Of 12 568 deliveries, VE was performed in 1093 (8.6%). Among these 1093 women undergoing VE, 675 (61.7%) with HPD measurement were included. OASIS was found in 6.5% of women (n = 44; 95% CI 4.5–8.7). HPD was not associated with OASIS (38.5 ± 12.6 mm in women with OASIS vs 37.4 ± 12.0 mm in women without; adjusted OR [aOR] per 5 mm increase = 0.92; 95% CI 0.79–1.06). Increased HPD was associated with higher risk of sequential extraction (aOR = 1.19; 95% CI 1.06–1.32), extraction duration >10 min (aOR = 1.12; 95% CI 1.02–1.23) and shoulder dystocia (aOR = 1.20; 95% CI 1.03–1.40).

Conclusion

Ultrasound‐measured head‐perineum distance does not predict the occurrence of obstetric anal sphincter injury during a VE. The interest of HPD is more about predicting the success or difficulty of VE rather its specific complications.
Eye movement impairments in children with malnutrition
Authors: Almeida Natalia L. , Silva Jessica B. S. , Oliveira Milena E. C. , Fernandes Thiago P. , Santos Natanael A.
Published: March 2022

Malnutrition is characterised by deficient nutrient ingestion and absorption and is still one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality in children worldwide. Our main rationale was that protein‐energy malnutrition (PEM) may affect eye movement in children with malnutrition. Twenty children without PEM (mean age = 10.8; SD = 1.0 years) and 18 children with PEM (mean age = 10.9; SD = 1.2 years) were included in the present study. We applied three types of tests: one that consisted of a maze and two versions of the Spot the Seven Errors test using boats and elephants. Our results indicated that children with PEM exhibited performance deficits in the maze test (p < .001) and Spot the Seven Errors test for both boats (p < .001) and elephants (p < .001). These data suggest that nutritional impairments during the first year of life (i.e., a critical period) can directly impact eye movement. Eye tracking is a reliable technique to investigate higher‐order processes, but our results should be interpreted with caution. Our findings highlight the relevance of cognitive development in malnourished children, which can negatively affect their development. Screening, assessment and rehabilitation strategies are essential in this at‐risk population.
Reference evapotranspiration estimation using long short‐term memory network and wavelet‐coupled long short‐term memory network
Authors: Long Xiaoxu , Wang Jiandong , Gong Shihong , Li Guangyong , Ju Hui
Published: March 2022

Evapotranspiration (ET) is a vital component of the hydrological cycle, and accurate estimation of reference evapotranspiration (ET0) is of great importance in agriculture water resources planning and management. In this study, long short‐term memory network (LSTM), artificial neural network (ANN), extreme learning machine (ELM), and their wavelet‐coupled models were used for daily ET0 estimation. For comparison purposes, this study also investigated the ET0 estimation capability of three typical empirical models, that is, the Hargreaves–Samani (HS) equation, Penman (PM) equation, and Priestley–Taylor (PT) equation. Daily meteorological data were obtained from two weather stations, Beijing and Baoding, located in the northern part of the North China Plain. Results demonstrated that single machine learning (ML) models, for example, ANN, ELM, LSTM, are steadier and generally have better overall performance than wavelet‐coupled ML models. Besides, the LSTM model performed best among the single ML models and was far superior to the HS, PM, and PT models. The LSTM model helped the root mean square error (RMSE) and mean absolute error (MAE) of the ANN and ELM models decrease by 5%–69% and 8%–72%, respectively. Moreover, the LSTM model helped the RMSE and MAE of the empirical models decrease by 6%–83% and 5%–84%, respectively.
The expression and significance of p4E‐BP1/4E‐BP1 in prostate cancer
Authors: Wang Kai‐yun , Wang Ke‐jie , Ma Qi
Published: March 2022

Background

Although the phosphorylation of 4E‐BP1 that has been detected in high‐grade prostate cancer has been reported in previous studies, overexpression of p4E‐BP1 and 4EBP1 and their clinical significance in prostate cancer still remain unknown.

Methods

One hundred six samples of prostate tissues were collected and analyzed by immunohistochemistry with p4E‐BP1 or 4E‐BP1 specific antibodies. Everolimus was used to block the phosphorylation of p4E‐BP1, and then flow cytometry, clone formation, transwell, and wound healing assays were performed to detect the survival and invasive ability of the prostate cancer cells.

Results

We found that the expression of 4E‐BP1 and p4E‐BP1 was higher in prostate cancer tissues than in normal tissues. Interestingly, the expression of p4E‐BP1 was significantly associated with Gleason score and lymph node metastasis, but had no obvious correlation with PSA and the presence of bone or visceral metastasis. However, no evident correlation was found between the positive expression of 4E‐BP1 and these clinical characteristics. In in vitro experiments, we found similar results as the clinical presentation that 4E‐BP1 and p4E‐BP1 were low expressed in normal prostate epithelial cells, but in prostate cancer cells, as the malignancy increasing, 4E‐BP1 and p4E‐BP1 expression also gradually increased. Then, we used Everolimus to inhibit the phosphorylation of 4E‐BP1 and found that Everolimus effectively reduced cloning formation, inhibited cell migration, and promoted apoptosis in a dose‐dependent manner in PC3 cells.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that p4E‐BP1 is a potential biomarker and therapy target for prostate cancer, and patients with high expressions of p4E‐BP1 may benefit from Everolimus treatment.
Bipolar spectrum disorders are associated with increased gray matter volume in the medial orbitofrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens
Authors: Damme Katherine S. F. , Alloy Lauren B. , Kelley Nicholas J. , Carroll Ann , Young Christina B. , Chein Jason , Ng Tommy H. , Titone Madison K. , Bart Corinne P. , Nusslock Robin
Published: March 2022

Objective

Elevated sensitivity to rewards prospectively predicts Bipolar Spectrum Disorder (BSD) onset; however, it is unclear whether volumetric abnormalities also reflect BSD risk. BSDs emerge when critical neurodevelopment in frontal and striatal regions occurs in sex‐specific ways. The current paper examined the volume of frontal and striatal brain regions in both individuals with and at risk for a BSD with exploratory analyses examining sex‐specificity.

Methods

One hundred fourteen medication‐free individuals ages 18–27 at low‐risk for BSD (moderate‐reward sensitivity; N = 37), at high‐risk without a BSD (high‐reward sensitivity; N = 47), or with a BSD (N = 30) completed a structural MRI scan of the brain. We examined group differences in gray matter volume in a priori medial orbitofrontal cortex (mOFC) and nucleus accumbens (NAcc) regions‐of‐interest.

Results

The BSD group had enlarged frontostriatal volumes (mOFC, NAcc) compared to low individuals (d = 1.01). The mOFC volume in BSD was larger than low‐risk (d = 1.01) and the high‐risk groups (d = 0.74). This effect was driven by males with a BSD, who showed an enlarged mOFC compared to low (d = 1.01) and high‐risk males (d = 0.74). Males with a BSD also showed a greater NAcc volume compared to males at low‐risk (d = 0.49), but not high‐risk males.

Conclusions

An enlarged frontostriatal volume (averaged mOFC, NAcc) is associated with the presence of a BSD, while subvolumes (mOFC vs. NAcc) showed unique patterning in relation to risk. We report preliminary evidence that sex moderates frontostriatal volume in BSD, highlighting the need for larger longitudinal risk studies examining the role of sex‐specific neurodevelopmental trajectories in emerging BSDs.
End‐faithful spanning trees in graphs without normal spanning trees
Authors: Bürger Carl , Kurkofka Jan
Published: March 2022

Schmidt characterised the class of rayless graphs by an ordinal rank function, which makes it possible to prove statements about rayless graphs by transfinite induction. Halin asked whether Schmidt's rank function can be generalised to characterise other important classes of graphs. In this paper, we address Halin's question: we characterise an important class of graphs by an ordinal function. Another largely open problem raised by Halin asks for a characterisation of the class of graphs with an end‐faithful spanning tree. A well‐studied subclass is formed by the graphs with a normal spanning tree. We determine a larger subclass, the class of normally traceable graphs, which consists of the connected graphs with a rayless tree‐decomposition into normally spanned parts. Investigating the class of normally traceable graphs further we prove that, for every normally traceable graph, having a rayless spanning tree is equivalent to all its ends being dominated. Our proofs rely on a characterisation of the class of normally traceable graphs by an ordinal rank function that we provide.
Evaluation of Amide Proton Transfer‐Weighted Imaging for Lung Cancer Subtype and Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor: A Comparative Study With Diffusion and Metabolic Parameters
Authors: Meng Nan , Fu Fangfang , Feng Pengyang , Li Ziqiang , Gao Haiyan , Wu Yaping , Zhang Jiawen , Wei Wei , Yuan Jianmin , Yang Yang , Liu Hui , Cheng Jianjian , Wang Meiyun
Published: March 2022

Background

Lung cancer is one of the most devastating diseases worldwide, and it is meaningful to assess the subtype and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) status in lung cancer noninvasively by imaging methods.

Purpose

To differentiate noninvasively small cell lung cancer (SCLC) from nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and EGFR mutation‐type from wild‐type NSCLC by comparing amide proton transfer‐weighted imaging (APTWI), diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI), and 2‐[18F]‐fluoro‐2‐deoxy‐d‐glucose positron emission tomography (18F‐FDG PET).

Study Type

Prospective.

Population

A total of 99 patients with lung cancer.

Field Strength/Sequence

APTWI and DWI at 18F‐FDG PET/MRI 3.0 T.

Assessment

The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), magnetization transfer ratio asymmetry (MTRasym [3.5 ppm]), maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), metabolic tumor volume (MTV), and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) were calculated and compared.

Statistical Tests

Individual sample t‐test, Mann–Whitney U test, Logistic regression, and P < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results

In NSCLC, MTRasym (3.5 ppm), MTV, and TLG were significantly lower and ADC was significantly higher than in SCLC; MTRasym (3.5 ppm) was significantly higher and SUVmax, MTV, and TLG were significantly lower in EGFR mutation‐type NSCLC than in EGFR wild‐type NSCLC. In the identification of SCLC and NSCLC, MTRasym (3.5 ppm), ADC, and MTV were independent predictors, the AUCs of the combination of independent predictors, MTV, TLG, MTRasym (3.5 ppm), and ADC were 0.942, 0.875, 0.843, 0.814, and 0.687, respectively. In the identification of EGFR mutation‐type and wild‐type NSCLC, MTRasym (3.5 ppm) and MTV were independent predictors, the AUCs of the combination of independent predictors, TLG, MTV, MTRasym (3.5 ppm), and SUVmax were 0.919, 0.834, 0.813, 0.795, and 0.771, respectively.

Data Conclusion

In the noninvasive assessment of lung cancer subtype and EGFR status, APTWI has similar utility to diffusion and metabolic parameters.

Level of Evidence

2

Technical Efficacy Stage

2
When RING finger family proteins meet SARS‐CoV‐2
Authors: Cai Chunmei , Tang Yan‐Dong , Zheng Chunfu
Published: March 2022

The pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), is currently the most formidable challenge to humankind. Understanding the complicated virus‐host interplay is crucial for fighting against viral infection. A growing number of studies point to the critical roles of RING (really interesting new gene) finger (RNF) proteins during SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. RNF proteins exert direct antiviral activity by targeting genome and envelope glycoproteins of SARS‐CoV‐2. Additionally, some RNF members serve as potent regulators for antiviral innate immunity and antibody‐dependent neutralization of SARS‐CoV‐2. Notably, SARS‐CoV‐2 also hijacks the RNF proteins‐mediated ubiquitination process to evade host antiviral innate immunity and enhance viral replication. In this mini‐review, we discuss the diverse antiviral mechanisms of RNF proteins and viral immune evasion in an RNF proteins‐dependent manner. Understanding the crosstalk between RNF proteins and SARS‐CoV‐2 infection would help design potential novel targets for COVID‐19 treatment.
A power loss minimization strategy based on optimal placement and sizing of distributed energy resources
Authors: Mirsaeidi Sohrab , Li Shangru , Devkota Subash , Li Meng , He Jinghan , Tzelepis Dimitrios , Konstantinou Charalambos , Said Dalila Mat
Published: March 2022

Due to the enhanced price of electricity, the gradual depletion of fossil fuels, and the global warming concerns, power loss minimization through deployment of distributed generators (DGs) has attracted significant attention in recent decades. This paper proposes a genetic algorithm (GA) based strategy for minimization of active and reactive power losses through optimal location and size of DGs. It also quantifies and tallies the total network power losses for the cases with random as well as optimal allocation of DGs. To validate the accuracy of the obtained results from GA, another nature‐inspired optimization algorithm, cuckoo search, is also deployed. The simulation results on IEEE 30 and 118 bus systems indicate that the proposed strategy not only can effectively reduce the total network active and reactive power losses but also lead to the improvement of network voltage profile.
Warming in the upper San Francisco Estuary: Patterns of water temperature change from five decades of data
Authors: Bashevkin Samuel M. , Mahardja Brian , Brown Larry R.
Published: March 2022

Temperature is a key controlling variable from subcellular to ecosystem scales. Thus, climatic warming is expected to have broad impacts, especially in economically and ecologically valuable systems such as estuaries. The heavily managed upper San Francisco Estuary supplies water to millions of people and is home to fish species of high conservation, commercial, and recreational interest. Despite a long monitoring record (> 50 yr), we do not yet know how water temperatures have already changed or how trends vary spatially or seasonally. We fit generalized additive models on an integrated database of discrete water temperature observations to estimate long‐term trends with spatio‐seasonal variability. We found that water temperatures have increased 0.017°C yr−1 on average over the past 50 yr. Rates of temperature change have varied over time, but warming was predominant. Temperature increases were most widespread in the late‐fall to winter (November to February) and mid‐spring (April to June), coinciding with the winter development of juvenile Chinook salmon and spring spawning window of the endangered delta smelt. Warming was fastest in the northern regions, a key fish migration corridor with important tidal wetland habitat. However, no long‐term temperature trends were detected in October and were only observed in some regions in May, July, and August. These results can help identify optimal areas for restoration or refugia to buffer the effects of a warming climate, and the methods can be leveraged to understand the spatiotemporal variability in climate warming patterns in other aquatic systems.
Light‐Triggered Structural Modulation of Nanofibrous Meshes to Promote Deep Penetration of Cultured Cells
Authors: Pham‐Nguyen Oanh‐Vu , Lee Ju Won , Park Yeonju , Jin Sila , Kim Song Rae , Park Jongmin , Park Ju Hyun , Jung Young Mee , Yoo Hyuk Sang
Published: March 2022

Although nanofibrous meshes are considered promising cultivation beds for maintaining cell differentiation, 3D cultivation is not possible because their nanoporous structures impede cell infiltration. To facilitate transverse cell migration across nanofibrous meshes, electrospun nanofibers are prepared with structures that vary in response to red laser light. Polyoxalate (POX), composed of oxalate linkers and oligomeric caprolactone, is synthesized and electrospun into fibrous meshes with a photosensitizer (chlorin e6, Ce6). These meshes exhibit morphological and chemical changes upon laser irradiation, and mass erosion rates of the meshes are faster after laser irradiation. Cell cultivation on POX meshes reveals that red laser effectively facilitates traverse migration of the cells without affecting cell viability. The use of light‐triggered change of meshes is envisioned to promote the migration of cells during 3D matrix cultivation.
Unprofitability of food market investments
Authors: Vinzelberg Anja , Auer Benjamin R.
Published: March 2022

Using more than two decades of disaggregated return data, we provide a comprehensive study of the investment benefits offered by food futures. In addition to comparing them to established passive and active investment vehicles, we investigate whether diversified investors can capitalize on including food futures into their portfolios. Our analysis is conducted within traditional and modern mean‐risk portfolio frameworks (measuring risk in terms of variance and tail size, respectively) supplemented by robust resampling techniques. Reward‐to‐risk investment performance is evaluated out of sample and by means of state‐of‐the‐art bootstrap testing. Overall, we find that food futures neither surpass standalone investments in stock, bond, and nonfood commodity markets nor do they significantly improve optimized multi‐asset portfolios.
Emergent hybrid mesophases in ternary mixtures of cellulose nanocrystals ‐ Pluronic micelles‐water
Authors: Cohen Neta , Attia David , Levi‐Kalisman Yael , Bitton Ronit , Yerushalmi‐Rozen Rachel
Published: March 2022

Mixtures of nanometric rods and spherical micelles that are dominated by excluded volume (entropic) interactions tend to de‐mix into sphere‐ and rod‐rich mesophases. Here we report the observation of hybrid mesophases formed by mixtures of polymer‐decorated sulfuric‐acid‐hydrolyzed cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs, rod‐like particles), at high CNCs concentrations (7 wt%) where the native CNCs suspensions are at the bi‐phasic (isotropic‐chiral nematic) regime, and spherical micelles of the tri‐block‐copolymers Pluronic F127 (and F108) in aqueous suspension. The polymers adsorb onto the CNCs particles, and at F127 concentrations above (10–18 wt%) the macroscopic phases of the hybrid mixture are transformed into mesoscopic droplets with a nanostructure that differs from that of the CNCs or the native Pluronics, as indicated by small‐angle X‐ray scattering. The observed phases preserve the chiral nematic nature of the CNCs phases with a shortened pitch, suggesting that co‐assembly of CNCs and self‐assembling polymers may be used for engineering of emergent phases with emergent structures and properties.
Analysis of capecitabine metabolites in conjunction with digital autoradiography in a murine model of pancreatic cancer suggests extensive drug penetration through the tumor
Authors: Russell James , Fanchon Louise , Alwaseem Hanan , Molina Henrik , O’Donoghue Isabella , Bahr Amber , de Stanchina Elisa , Pillarsetty Nagavarakishore , Humm John L.
Published: March 2022

Previously published digital autoradiography of 3H‐labeled capecitabine reveals a near‐uniform distribution of activity throughout a murine pancreatic model. This is in contrast both to 14C‐labeled gemcitabine, and established expectations, as the dense stroma of pancreatic cancer is understood to inhibit drug penetration. Capecitabine is a pro‐drug for 5 FU. The positioning of the radiolabel on capecitabine leaves open the possibility that much of the autoradiographic signal is generated by nontoxic compounds. Studies were performed on tumors derived via organoid culture from a murine KPC tumor. As before, we performed autoradiography comparing 3H capecitabine to the gemcitabine analog 18F‐FAC. The metabolism of capecitabine in this model was studied through LC–MS of tumor tissue. The autoradiographs confirmed that the 3H label from capecitabine was much more uniformly distributed through the tumor than the 18F from the gemcitabine analog. LC–MS revealed that approximately 75% of the molar mass of capecitabine had been converted into 5 FU or pre‐5 FU compounds. The remainder had been converted into nontoxic species. Therapeutically relevant capecitabine metabolites achieve a relatively even distribution in this pancreatic cancer model, in contrast to the gemcitabine analog 18F‐FAC. In a human xenograft model, (BxPC3), the 3H label from capecitabine was also uniformly spread across the tumor autoradiographs. However, at 2 h post‐administration the metabolism of capecitabine had proceeded further and the bulk of the agent was in the form of nontoxic species.
Model free based finite time fault‐tolerant control of robot manipulators subject to disturbances and input saturation
Authors: Chen Zhengsheng , Wang Xue‐song , Cheng Yuhu
Published: March 2022

This article proposed a model free based finite time fault‐tolerant control (FTC) method of robot manipulators subject to unknown disturbances, input saturation, and actuator faults. First, an accuracy‐driven integral terminal sliding mode surface (ADITSMS) was constructed, and the finite‐time convergence and the parametric analysis were investigated. Second, based on the proposed ADITSMS, a double‐loop control framework which consists of the position loop and velocity loop was proposed, and the finite time command filtered algorithm was utilized to estimate the derivative of the virtual control law of the position loop, thus a novel finite‐time robust adaptive FTC was proposed. Third, to eliminate the negative effects of the faults and disturbances and implement model free control, the uncertainty and disturbance estimation is designed, and a novel adaptive algorithm is developed to suppress the estimation error whose upper bound or derivative was not required. Meanwhile, an auxiliary system is constructed to deal with the input saturation. The proposed controller possess the superiorities of model free nature and global finite time convergence property. Finally, numerical simulations and comparison studies were conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed controller.
Electrochemical Actuators with Multicolor Changes and Multidirectional Actuation
Authors: Ling Yong , Fan Hongwei , Wang Kun , Lu Ziqiu , Wang Lichao , Hou Chengyi , Zhang Qinghong , Li Yaogang , Li Kerui , Wang Hongzhi
Published: March 2022

Electrochemical (EC) actuators have garnered significant attention in recent years, yet there are still some critical challenges to limit their application range, such as responsive time, multifunctionality, and actuating direction. Herein, an EC actuator with a back‐to‐back structure is fabricated by stacking two membranes with bilayer V2O5 nanowires/single‐walled carbon nanotubes (V2O5 NWs/SWCNTs) networks, and shows a synchronous high actuation amplitude (about ±9.7 mm, ±28.4°) and multiple color changes. In this back‐to‐back structure, the inactive SWCNTs layer is used as a conductive current collector, and the bilayer network is attached to a porous polymer membrane. The dual‐responsive processes of V2O5 nanowires (V2O5 NWs) actuation films and actuators are also deeply investigated through in situ EC X‐ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. The results show that the EC actuation of the V2O5 NWs/SWCNTs film is highly related to the redox behavior of the pseudocapacitive V2O5 NWs layer. At last, both V2O5 NWs and W18O49 nanowires (W18O49 NWs)‐based EC actuators are constructed to demonstrate the multicolor changes and multidirectional actuation induced by the opposite lattice changes of V2O5 NWs and W18O49 NWs during ionic de‐/intercalation, guiding the design of multifunctional EC actuators in the future.
Schottky‐Contacted High‐Performance GaSb Nanowires Photodetectors Enabled by Lead‐Free All‐Inorganic Perovskites Decoration
Authors: Liu Dong , Liu Fengjing , Liu Yue , Pang Zhiyong , Zhuang Xinming , Yin Yanxue , Dong Shengpan , He Longbing , Tan Yang , Liao Lei , Chen Feng , Yang Zai‐xing
Published: March 2022

The surface Fermi level pinning effect promotes the formation of metal‐independent Ohmic contacts for the high‐speed GaSb nanowires (NWs) electronic devices, however, it limits next‐generation optoelectronic devices. In this work, lead‐free all‐inorganic perovskites with broad bandgaps and low work functions are adopted to decorate the surfaces of GaSb NWs, demonstrating the success in the construction of Schottky‐contacts by surface engineering. Benefiting from the expected Schottky barrier, the dark current is reduced to 2 pA, the Ilight/Idark ratio is improved to 103 and the response time is reduced by more than 15 times. Furthermore, a Schottky‐contacted parallel array GaSb NWs photodetector is also fabricated by the contact printing technology, showing a higher photocurrent and a low dark current of 15 pA, along with the good infrared photodetection ability for a concealed target. All results guide the construction of Schottky‐contacts by surface decorations for next‐generation high‐performance III–V NWs optoelectronics devices.
Toward sustainable express deliveries for online shopping: Reusing packaging materials through reverse logistics
Authors: Lai Nai Yeen Gavin , Kuah Adrian T. H. , Kim Chang H. , Wong Kok Hoong
Published: March 2022

The COVID‐19 pandemic has led to an increase in online purchases, which has inevitably raised the demand for express delivery packaging materials (EDPMs). This study proposes a reverse logistics reuse framework that extends the EDPM life cycle by drawing on insights and conclusions from a review of the literature on supply chain management and materials science to achieve a sustainable e‐commerce system. A key benefit of reverse logistics is its effectiveness in exploiting opportunities for resource reuse, which is preferred to recycling. By extending service life through resource optimization, recycling, and recovery processes, the novel reuse framework based on reverse logistics can be implemented with minimal changes to existing forward logistics systems, potentially leading to more sustainable online shopping. This study proposes a novel combination of reusable packaging materials and reverse logistics as a viable and more environmentally friendly practice, in line with circular economy goals.
LINC01588 regulates WWP2‐mediated cardiomyocyte injury by interacting with HNRNPL
Authors: Song Yanbin , Ren Xiaoyue , Gao Feng , Li Fei , Zhou Jing , Chen Junmin , Zhang Yunqing
Published: March 2022

Cardiomyocyte dysfunction and apoptosis induced by ischemia–hypoxia are common features of many acute and chronic heart diseases. WW domain‐containing E3 ubiquitin ligase (WWP2) has been identified as an important regulator in pathogenesis of some health‐threatening diseases. Although a couple of recent reports prompted the potential role of WWP2 in heart dysfunction, however, its exact role and how its expression was regulated in ischemic–hypoxic cardiomyocytes are still elusive. Here, we found that WWP2 protein level was induced in anoxia/reoxygenation (A/R) treated cardiomyocytes in a time‐dependent manner, accompanied by synchronous expression of LINC01588 and HNRNPL. Knockdown of LINC01588 increased cardiomyocyte apoptosis, the level of oxidative stress, and expression of pro‐inflammatory cytokine genes, down‐regulated the expression of WWP2 and promoted expression of SEPT4 gene that contributed to cardiomyocyte dysfunction and was a target gene of WWP2. LINC01588 overexpression improved the functions of A/R treated cardiomyocytes, up‐regulated WWP2 and reduced SEPT4 expression. In the mechanism exploration, we found that LINC01588 could directly bind with HNRNPL protein that could interact with WWP2, suggesting that WWP2 was involved in the regulation of LINC01588 in A/R treated cardiomyocytes. Moreover, WWP2 inhibition declined the protective role of LINC01588 in cardiomyocyte dysfunction induced by A/R. Finally, we demonstrated that LINC01588 overexpression improved acute myocardial infarction in mice in vivo. In conclusion, LINC01588 improved A/R‐induced cardiomyocyte dysfunction by interacting with HNRNPL and promoting WWP2‐mediated degradation of SEPT4.
Professional stereotypes among specialties and fields of work within the veterinary community
Authors: Agathou Sylvia , Stratis Andreas , Routh Jennifer , Paramasivam Sharmini J.
Published: March 2022

Background

Medical specialties hold varying degrees of prestige, stemming from the existence of stereotypes among them. These have been shown to lead to prejudice against specific specialists, which not only influences career choices but also affects the perception of equality among specialties.

Method

The aim of the research was to determine the presence of stereotypes in the UK veterinary community. Using an online questionnaire, participants were asked to provide an adjective that best characterises 15 specialties, in addition to their perceptions on prestige and gender association. Word cloud analysis coupled with sentiment analysis in Python using the language processing software Natural Language Toolkit (NLTK) was used to assess sentiments with respect to the adjectives.

Results

There were 665 questionnaire respondents, and there was evidence of their construction of specialty‐specific stereotypes. Some specialties were perceived more negatively than others, including equine general practitioners, surgeons, pathologists, dermatologists and public health veterinarians/epidemiologists. Gender bias was identified within this study, most prominently within production animal and behavioural medicine veterinarians. The most prestigious specialties were neurology, surgery and cardiology.

Conclusion

Specialty‐specific stereotypes exist within the veterinary community. Acknowledging their existence is a first step to recognising the influence they have on career choices.
Mixed correlator dispersive CFT sum rules
Authors: Trinh Anh-Khoi
Published: March 2022

Abstract

Conformal field theory (CFT) dispersion relations reconstruct correlators in terms of their double discontinuity. When applied to the crossing equation, such dispersive transforms lead to sum rules that suppress the double-twist sector of the spectrum and enjoy positivity properties at large twist. In this paper, we construct dispersive CFT functionals for correlators of unequal scalar operators in position- and Mellin-space. We then evaluate these functionals in the Regge limit to construct mixed correlator holographic CFT functionals which probe scalar particle scattering in Anti-de Sitter spacetime. Finally, we test properties of these dispersive sum rules when applied to the 3D Ising model, and we use truncated sum rules to find approximate solutions to the crossing equation.
Shaping contours of entanglement islands in BCFT
Authors: Ageev Dmitry S.
Published: March 2022

Abstract

In this paper, we study the fine structure of entanglement in holographic two-dimensional boundary conformal field theories (BCFT) in terms of the spatially resolved quasilocal extension of entanglement entropy — entanglement contour. We find that the boundary induces discontinuities in the contour revealing hidden localization-delocalization patterns of the entanglement degrees of freedom. Moreover, we observe the formation of “islands” where the entanglement contour vanishes identically implying that these regions do not contribute to the entanglement at all. We argue that these phenomena are the manifestation of the entanglement islands recently discussed in the literature. We apply the entanglement contour proposal to the recently discussed BCFT black hole models reproducing the Page curve — moving mirror model and the pair of BCFT in the thermofield double state. From the viewpoint of entanglement contour, the Page curve also carries the imprint of strong delocalization caused by dynamical entanglement islands.
Scotogenic neutrino masses with gauged matter parity and gauge coupling unification
Authors: Cárcamo Hernández A. E. , Hati Chandan , Kovalenko Sergey , Valle José W. F. , Vaquera-Araujo Carlos A.
Published: March 2022

Abstract

Building up on previous work we propose a Dark Matter (DM) model with gauged matter parity and dynamical gauge coupling unification, driven by the same physics responsible for scotogenic neutrino mass generation. Our construction is based on the extended gauge group SU(3)c ⊗ SU(3)L ⊗ U(1)X ⊗ U(1)N, whose spontaneous breaking leaves a residual conserved matter parity, MP, stabilizing the DM particle candidates of the model. The key role is played by Majorana SU(3)L-octet leptons, allowing the successful gauge coupling unification and a one-loop scotogenic neutrino mass generation. Theoretical consistency allows for a plethora of new particles at the ≲ $$ \mathcal{O} $$
O
(10) TeV scale, hence accessible to future collider and low-energy experiments.