bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
K2CO3‐loaded γ‐Al2O3 for acid removal in waste transformer oil
Authors: Fei Kai , Dong Zhuo Yi , Shi Li , Meng Xuan , Liu Naiwang
Published: December 2023

Transformer oil plays a critical role in ensuring the insulation and normal operation of power transformers. However, during operation, the transformer oil would undergo oxidation and degradation, leading to the formation of acids and polar compounds that increase its acidity and degrade its performance. Hence, the recycling and regeneration of aged transformer oil is an essential practice in transformer maintenance, contributing significantly to the extension of a transformer's operational lifespan and the reduction of potential risks. Adsorption separation is a preferred method for regeneration, offering simplicity and high efficiency. This study focuses on impregnated γ‐Al2O3 as an adsorbent for acidity removal in waste transformer oil. We conducted static adsorption experiments to investigate the optimal loading amount of the active component and the best calcination temperature for acid removal. XRD technique is employed to monitor the phase changes of the carrier during the calcination process. BET analysis is used to observe variations in the specific surface area and pore volume of the adsorbent during the modification process. DTG‐TGA is utilized to assess the weight loss during the calcination process. FTIR is employed to observe changes in functional groups during modification and adsorption processes. Along with these investigations, a study is also carried out to assess the dynamic acid removal performance of the acid‐removing adsorbent loaded into a fixed bed. The findings contribute to the development of sustainable methods for regenerating transformer oil, ensuring efficient and environmentally friendly operations.
Novel bioactive copper and nickel polymeric complexes: Synthesis, characterization, antimicrobial activity, and DFT calculations
Authors: Metwally Amal M. , Mohamed Hany I. , ElKhawaga Hanaa A. , Ibrahim Sahar M. , Reda Laila M.
Published: December 2023

Polymeric complexes, especially metal‐containing polymers, possess aggregated medical applications, especially as antibacterial and antifungal agents. This work describes a facile procedure for producing a series of novel copper and nickel complexes of poly(2‐hydroxyphenyl methacrylamide) and poly(2‐carboxyphenyl methacrylamide). The polymeric ligands were synthesized through a multistep procedure. Firstly, 4‐formylphenyl methacrylate was constructed by acylating 4‐hydroxybenzaldehyde with methacryloyl chloride. Then, polymerization of the as‐prepared monomer to obtain poly(4‐formylphenyl methacrylate) using benzoyl peroxide as an initiator. Thirdly, the polymeric ligands PL1 and PL2 were achieved via exchange reactions between poly(4‐formylphenyl methacrylate) and o‐aminophenol and anthranilic acid, respectively. Consequently, the two ligands were reacted with copper and nickel acetates to afford four target complexes (Cu‐PL1, Ni‐PL1, Cu‐PL2, and Ni‐PL2). By FT‐IR, 1HNMR, UV‐visible, and TGA analyses, the structures of PL1, PL2, and their complexes were investigated. Furthermore, the geometries of PL1, PL2, and their complexes were reported through a molecular modeling to investigate some interesting parameters such as the bond length, bond angle, charge on the atoms, the HOMO and LUMO using the Material Studio program. The calculation results illustrated that octahedral geometries are proposed for the synthesized metal complexes. The reported antimicrobial efficiency showed a strong potency for most synthesized compounds against the selected microbes, especially compounds Cu‐PL1 and Cu‐PL2 which are more effective than the standard against Candida albicans.
Aromatic Hydrocarbon Based and Space Interactions Induced Color‐tunable Single‐component Organic Phosphorescence
Authors: Sun Weitao , Duan Ruikang , Dai Xianyin , Liu Wei , Li Jinwei , Gong Qi , Duan Guiyun , Ge Yanqing
Published: December 2023

Construction of new system and exploration of new approach are of great importance for the improvement of their photophysical properties to meet the growing various uses of phosphorescent materials. Triphenylmethane (TPM), composed only of carbon and hydrogen, exhibits excellent color tunable phosphorescence in air, with ultralong lifetime (836 ms), and wide color‐tunable range (from cyan to green, then to yellow and finally to orange, 525 nm–616 nm). Through careful comparison with the single crystal diffraction structure of tetraphenylmethane (TTPM) and theoretical calculation analysis, we believe that various clusters formed through space interactions are crucial for color‐tunable phosphorescence.
Distributed fixed‐time economic dispatch over directed graphs: An event‐triggered approach
Authors: Lu Xiao , Luan Meng , Wan Ying , Cao Jinde
Published: December 2023

This paper introduces a novel distributed fixed‐time algorithm that employs an event‐triggered strategy to solve the economic dispatch problem within the framework of smart grids. Distinguishing from existing fixed‐time and finite‐time algorithms of distributed economic dispatch applied to undirected graphs, the proposed distributed optimization algorithm in this paper has been proven effective for directed graphs. The proposed algorithm ensures the continual satisfaction of the supply and demand balance constraints. Additionally, the incorporation of the event‐triggered strategy not only conserves actuator updates but also avoids Zeno behavior. Finally, simulation cases verify the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Wie bekommen wir den Geist aus der Flasche?
Authors: Akkermann Jan , Bögle Annette , Boley Conrad , Dehlinger Christian , Hettler Achim , Marx Steffen , Jesse Dirk
Published: December 2023

Den Abschluss der Essay‐Serie zum 100. Jahrgang der Fachzeitschrift Bautechnik bildet eine fiktive Podiumsdiskussion, zu welcher die Redaktion die Mitglieder des wissenschaftlichen Beirats eingeladen hat. Die Antworten der Diskussionsteilnehmenden stehen hier in der Reihenfolge, in der sie gegeben wurden, und bauen zum Teil aufeinander auf. Für den Einstieg in die Diskussion haben wir ein Thema gewählt, auf welches derzeit in unserer Gesellschaft mit immer lauterer Stimme (ggf. auch Klebstoff) versucht wird, die Aufmerksamkeit zu lenken: die Mahnung der jungen Generation, dass der dringend benötigte Wandel (nicht nur im Bauwesen) zu klimagerechterem Handeln zu langsam voranschreitet. Mit Blick auf die Bauwirtschaft, ihrem enormen CO2‐Ausstoß und ihrer besonderen Verantwortung für die Gesellschaft, welche in den Essays der letzten Monate aus verschiedensten Blickwinkeln sichtbar wurde, scheinen erdrückend – so zumindest der Eindruck der Öffentlichkeit. Daher unsere erste Frage:
Combining theranostic/particle therapy with immunotherapy for the treatment of GU malignancies
Authors: Skalina Karin A. , Małachowska Beata , Sindhu Kunal K. , Thompson Marcher , Nehlsen Anthony D. , Salgado Lucas Resende , Dovey Zachary , Hasan Shaakir , Guha Chandan , Tang Justin
Published: December 2023

Particle therapy and radiopharmaceuticals are emerging fields in the treatment of genitourinary cancers. With these novel techniques and the ever‐growing immunotherapy options, the combinations of these therapies have the potential to improve current cancer cure rates. However, the most effective sequence and combination of these therapies is unknown and is a question that is actively being explored in multiple ongoing clinical trials. Here, we review the immunological effects of particle therapy and the available radiopharmaceuticals and discuss how best to combine these therapies.
Fever and antibiotic use in maternal urinary tract infections during pregnancy and risk of congenital heart defects: Findings from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study
Authors: Patel Jenil , Politis Maria D. , Howley Meredith M. , Browne Marilyn L. , Bolin Elijah H. , Ailes Elizabeth C. , Johnson Candice Y. , Magann Everett , Nembhard Wendy N. ,   The National Birth Defects Prevention Study
Published: December 2023

Background

Previous studies report an association between prenatal maternal urinary tract infections (UTI) and specific congenital heart defects (CHDs); however, the role of fever and antibiotic use on this association is poorly understood. Using data from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study, we examined whether the relationship between maternal UTIs during the periconceptional period and occurrence of CHDs is modified by the presence of fever due to UTI and corresponding antibiotic use among 11,704 CHD case infants and 11,636 live‐born control infants.

Methods

Information on UTIs, fever associated with UTI and antibiotic use (sulfonamides, nitrofurantoin, cephalosporins, penicillin, macrolides, and quinolones) during pregnancy were obtained using a computer‐assisted telephone interview. Using unconditional multivariable logistic regression, we calculated adjusted odds ratios (ORs) to determine the association between maternal UTIs and subtypes of CHDs. Analyses were stratified by the presence of fever and medication use associated with UTI.

Results

The prevalence of UTIs during the periconceptional period was 7.6% in control mothers, and 8.7% in case mothers. In the absence of fever, UTI was associated with secundum atrial septal defects (ASD) (OR 1.3; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1–1.5) and in the absence of antibiotics, UTI was associated with conotruncal defects as a group and for four specific CHDs. When fever and UTI occurred concomitantly, no significantly elevated odds ratios were noticed for any subtypes of CHD. Among women with UTIs who used antibiotics, an elevated but statistically non‐significant estimate was observed for secundum ASD (OR 1.4; 95% CI 1.0–2.0).

Conclusion

Findings in the present study suggest that fever due to UTI and corresponding maternal antibiotic use do not substantially modify the association between maternal UTIs and specific CHDs in offspring. Further studies with larger sample sizes are warranted to guide clinical management of UTIs during the periconceptional period.
Industry 4.0 and sustainable business models: An intercontinental sample
Authors: Kılıç Cumali , Atilla Gaye
Published: December 2023

In the rapidly evolving contemporary business landscape, the Industry 4.0 revolution has emerged as an immense and transformative force, fundamentally reshaping industries and presenting significant challenges to prevailing business models. As technology components continued to evolve in response to this revolution, it became increasingly evident that understanding the multifaceted implications of these changes for organizational sustainability is of paramount importance. The overarching goal of this research was to elucidate the intricate interplay between Industry 4.0 technologies and organizational sustainability. To achieve this objective, we conducted a comprehensive exploration of real‐world instances where companies boldly embraced Industry 4.0 technologies, subjecting their specific practices and processes to thorough examination. This methodological approach yielded a wealth of invaluable insights into the practical implications of Industry 4.0 on organizational sustainability, effectively bridging the gap between theory and practice. This research underscores the urgent need to provide businesses and decision‐makers with insights of paramount significance. The findings of the study aim to serve as a guiding compass for organizations, offering clarity on potential benefits and challenges associated with Industry 4.0 adoption. Notably, within the scope study, the utilization of semi‐structured interview technique added a unique dimension, enabling in‐depth insights. Interviews were conducted with individuals from diverse nations across different continents, thoughtfully selected based on predefined criteria, setting this research apart in terms of both the sample's size and the remarkable diversity within the participant profile. This diversity enriched the research findings by encompassing various perspectives and experiences, significantly enhancing the depth and breadth of the study's insights.
Sn Bulk Phase Doping and Surface Modification on Ti4O7 for Oxygen Reduction to Hydrogen Peroxide
Authors: Sun Yue , Luo Yangjun , Dai Longhua , Zheng Yanan , Zhang Huijuan , Wang Yu
Published: December 2023

Developing stable and highly selective two‐electron oxygen reduction reaction (2e− ORR) electrocatalysts for producing hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is considered a major challenge to replace the anthraquinone process and achieve a sustainable green economy. Here, we doped Sn into Ti4O7 (D−Sn−Ti4O7) by simple polymerization post‐calcination method as a high‐efficiency 2e− ORR electrocatalyst. In addition, we also applied plain calcination after the grinding method to load Sn on Ti4O7 (L−Sn−Ti4O7) as a comparison. However, the performance of L−Sn−Ti4O7 is far inferior to that of the D−Sn−Ti4O7. D−Sn−Ti4O7 exhibits a starting potential of 0.769 V (versus the reversible hydrogen electrode, RHE) and a high H2O2 selectivity of 95.7 %. Excitingly, the catalyst can maintain a stable current density of 2.43 mA ⋅ cm−2 for 3600 s in our self‐made H‐type cell, and the cumulative H2O2 production reaches 359.2 mg ⋅ L−1 within 50,000 s at 0.3 V. The performance of D−Sn−Ti4O7 is better than that of the non‐noble metal 2e− ORR catalysts reported so far. The doping of Sn not only improves the conductivity but also leads to the lattice distortion of Ti4O7, further forming more oxygen vacancies and Ti3+, which greatly improves its 2e− ORR performance compared with the original Ti4O7. In contrast, since the Sn on the surface of L−Sn−Ti4O7 displays a synergistic effect with Tin+ (3≤n≤4) of Ti4O7, the active center Tin+ dissociates the O=O bond, making it more inclined to 4e− ORR.
Nanoflower‐Like High‐Entropy Co‐Fe‐Cr‐Mo‐Mn Spinel for Oxygen Evolution
Authors: Sun Yuhang , Tang Tianmi , Xiao Liyuan , Han Jingyi , Bai Xue , Shi Mingyuan , Chen Siyu , Sun Jingru , Ma Yuanyuan , Guan Jingqi
Published: December 2023

Oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is the key anode reaction of electrolytic water. To improve the slow OER kinetics, we synthesize nanoflower‐like Co−Fe‐Cr−Mo‐Mn high‐entropy spinel (HES) nanosheets on nickel foam (NF) by one‐step solvothermal method, which exhibit an overpotential (η10) of only 188 mV at 10 mA cm−2, much lower than bimetallic CoFeOx/NF (233 mV), trimetallic CoFeCrOx/NF (211 mV), and tetrametallic CoFeCrMoOx/NF (200 mV). The OER overpotential decreases with the increase of the number of metals, indicating that the formation of HES has a positive effect on the improvement of electrocatalytic performance, since the synergistic effect between different metals enhances the charge transfer rate and decreases reaction barrier. In‐situ Raman spectra demonstrate that the formation of γ‐NiOOH on the HES surface is a crucial active species for the OER. This work demonstrates a simple and efficient synthesis method to prepare nanoflower‐like high‐entropy electrocatalysts for efficient OER electrocatalysis.
PKD‐Net: Distillation of prior knowledge for image completion by multi‐level semantic attention
Authors: Lu Qiong , Lin Huaizhong , Xing Wei , Zhao Lei , Chen Jingjing
Published: December 2023

Prior knowledge plays a crucial role in image completion. Although almost all of the existing image completion methods use prior knowledge to complete the image to be repaired from different perspectives, the learning and modeling of the prior knowledge is still a challenging problem. In order to address this issue, we propose a novel prior knowledge distillation framework (PKD‐Net) which could distill prior knowledge of structure and style from multiple semantic space and generates not only plausible content but also consistent style with surrounding image area. Our PKD‐Net replaces the skip connection in the vanilla U‐Net with a semantic shift attention module. The semantic shift attention module takes features from encoder layer and those from decoder layer as input pairs to output shifted features which take into account the long‐range dependency of encoder layer features and corresponding decoder layer features from the perspective of local structure and style. Semantic shift attention module models the global interdependencies in local spatial structures (patches centered at each position) and style (appearance texture) dimensions respectively, which could implement distillation of prior knowledge from two aspects: structure and style. Experiments on multiple datasets including faces (CelebA, CelebA‐HQ) and natural images (ImageNet, Places2, Paris Street View) demonstrate that our proposed approach generates higher quality completion results than existing ones.
Risk based intrusion detection system in software defined networking
Authors: Chetouane Ameni , Karoui Kamel
Published: December 2023

Software defined networking (SDN) separates control from data operations. However, this technology adds a new security cost to the network architecture because of the ongoing and developing security vulnerabilities. An intrusion detection system must be continuously improved and integrated into the SDN architecture in order to provide a network defense against attacks. In this study, we propose a continual learning system based on risk assessment to detect intrusion in SDN. We suggest a technique for continually enhancing datasets to produce a more accurate prediction. The proposed system includes various processes, including risk assessment and the selection of the deep learning (DL) approach. We propose assessing the risks related to different intrusion types. Based on the risk value, we can identify which intrusion types are more important and have a dangerous impact. We use the risk values to choose the most appropriate DL approach and for the dataset's continual enrichment. We compare different DL methods using the standard metrics and two proposed metrics. Then, we propose to use a method based on the bit alternation approach to obtain a unique metric for decision‐making. Finally, we have studied the efficacy of our system using two case studies.
Angle‐Dependent Raman Spectra of Crystal Polymorphs of GaO: A Computational Study
Authors: Deng Zexiang
Published: December 2023

Two crystal polymorphs of GaO consisting of GaO‐H and GaO‐T monolayers are proposed in this study. Based on the density functional theory calculations, the phonon dispersion demonstrates that both GaO‐H and GaO‐T monolayers could be stable. The band gaps of GaO‐H and GaO‐T monolayers are 1.51 and 1.43 eV, respectively. When an external electric field is applied, the band gaps of GaO monolayers are reduced dramatically, down to 0.13 eV with the field of 0.7 V/Å. Because of the decreased symmetry of C3v under an external electric field, more peaks of Raman spectra can be obtained. The angle‐dependent Raman spectra of
and
of GaO‐H monolayer, and
and
of GaO‐T monolayer are discussed seperately, with the incident lasers of 488 and 532 nm. Additionally, the Raman intensity distribution shows that the incident light should be parallel to the plane of the GaO monolayer to obtain more comparable Raman spectra. These investigations of the crystal polymorphs of GaO monolayers may guide the experimental investigations of GaO monolayers and potential optoelectronic applications.
Strategies for Synthesizing Supramolecular Block Copolymers
Authors: Chen Yan , Liu Chun
Published: December 2023

Over the past decade, controlled supramolecular polymerization has been extensively studied and gradually shifted to supramolecular block copolymerization. Supramolecular block copolymers (BCPs) are considered the holy grail for developing supramolecular materials with new functionalities due to their fascinating structures and ability to introduce diverse functions. From a thermodynamic view to kinetic aspects, great progress has been made in the synthetic strategies of BCPs in the past few years. This Concept summarizes various strategies to realize supramolecular block copolymerization. The focus is on providing researchers with a methodological basis for achieving heterogeneous nucleation‐elongation.
Impact of Pregnancy on the Pharmacokinetics and Metabolism of Nicotinamide in Humans
Authors: Fashe Muluneh M. , Le Tien V. , Gower Megan N. , Mulrenin Ian R. , Dorman Karen F. , Smith Spenser , Fallon John K. , Dumond Julie B. , Boggess Kim A. , Lee Craig R.
Published: December 2023

In pre‐eclampsia models, nicotinamide (NAM) has protective effects in pre‐eclampsia and is being evaluated as a therapeutic nutraceutical in clinical studies. NAM undergoes extensive hepatic metabolism by NAM N‐methyltransferase to methylnicotinamide (MNA), which is subsequently metabolized to methyl‐2‐pyridone‐5‐carboxamide (M2PY) by aldehyde oxidase. However, the pharmacokinetics of NAM and its major metabolites has never been studied in pregnant individuals. Blood samples were collected before and 1, 2, 4, 8, and 24 hours after single 1 g oral NAM dose in healthy pregnant (gestational age 24–33 weeks) and nonpregnant female volunteers (n = 6/group). Pooled urine was collected from 0 to 8 hours. NAM, MNA, and M2PY area under the concentration‐time curve (AUC) data were analyzed by noncompartmental analysis. No difference in the plasma AUC0→24 of NAM (median (25%–75%): 463 (436–576) vs. 510 (423, 725) μM*hour, P = 0.430) and its intermediate metabolite MNA (89.1 (60.4, 124.4) vs. 83.8 (62.7, 93.7) μM*hour, P = 0.515) was observed in pregnant and nonpregnant volunteers, respectively; however, the terminal metabolite M2PY AUC0 → 24 was significantly lower in pregnant individuals (218 (188, 254) vs. 597 (460, 653) μM*hour, P < 0.001). NAM renal clearance (CLR; P = 0.184), MNA CLR (P = 0.180), and total metabolite formation clearance (P = 0.405) did not differ across groups; however, M2PY CLR was significantly higher in pregnant individuals (10.5 (9.3–11.3) vs. 7.5 (6.4–8.5) L/h, P = 0.002). These findings demonstrate that the PK of NAM and systemic exposure to its intermediate metabolite MNA are not significantly altered during pregnancy, and systemic exposure to NAM's major metabolite M2PY was reduced during pregnancy due to increased renal elimination.
RFX6 facilitates aerobic glycolysis‐mediated growth and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma through targeting PGAM1
Authors: Qiu Zhiyu , Wang Chenwei , Huang Pinzhu , Yuan Yichuan , Shi Yunxing , Lin Zhu , Huang Zhenkun , Zuo Dinglan , Qiu Jiliang , He Wei , Shen Jingxian , Niu Yi , Yuan Yunfei , Li Binkui
Published: December 2023

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells undergo reprogramming of glucose metabolism to support uncontrolled proliferation, of which the intrinsic mechanism still merits further investigation. Although regulatory factor X6 (RFX6) is aberrantly expressed in different cancers, its precise role in cancer development remains ambiguous.

Methods

Microarrays of HCC tissues were employed to investigate the expression of RFX6 in tumour and adjacent non‐neoplastic tissues. Functional assays were employed to explore the role of RFX6 in HCC development. Chromatin immunoprecipitation, untargeted metabolome profiling and sequencing were performed to identify potential downstream genes and pathways regulated by RFX6. Metabolic assays were employed to investigate the effect of RFX6 on glycolysis in HCC cells. Bioinformatics databases were used to validate the above findings.

Results

HCC tissues exhibited elevated expression of RFX6. High RFX6 expression represented as an independent hazard factor correlated to poor prognosis in patients with HCC. RFX6 deficiency inhibited HCC development in vitro and in vivo, while its overexpression exerted opposite functions. Mechanistically, RFX6 bound to the promoter area of phosphoglycerate mutase 1 (PGAM1) and upregulated its expression. The increased PGAM1 protein levels enhanced glycolysis and further promoted the development of HCC.

Conclusions

RFX6 acted as a novel driver for HCC development by promoting aerobic glycolysis, disclosing the potential of the RFX6–PGAM1 axis for therapeutic targeting.
Two‐tier subclassification of the Bethesda category III (atypia of undetermined significance/follicular lesion of undetermined significance) in thyroid cytology
Authors: Alden Jay , Lambrou Denise , Yang Jack
Published: December 2023

Background

The Bethesda category III, AUS/FLUS, comprises a heterogeneous group of thyroid lesions with variable risk of malignancy (ROM). This study evaluates ROM in two subgroups of this category based on nuclear atypia and architectural atypia.

Methods

Cases in Bethesda category III were reported based on nuclear atypia (AUS) and architectural atypia (FLUS). ROM was calculated by comparing the cytologic diagnosis to the follow‐up histologic diagnosis.

Results

Among the 610 Bethesda category III cases in this study, 306 (50.2%) and 304 (49.8%) cases were reported as AUS and FLUS, respectively. One hundred and eighty six of 306 AUS (60.8%) and 193 of 304 FLUS (63.5%) cases underwent surgical intervention. ROM of the cases in Bethesda category III was 12.8% if all cases were counted and 20.6% if only surgical cases were counted. When analyzing separately, ROM of AUS cases was 17.0% and 28.0% with all cases and surgical cases only, respectively. For FLUS cases, ROM was 8.6% and 13.5% with all cases and surgical cases only, respectively.

Conclusion

In Bethesda category III, ROM in the cases with nuclear atypia was significantly higher than the cases with architectural atypia. Sub‐classifying the Bethesda Category III cases with nuclear atypia and architectural atypia, respectively may better stratify the ROM.
Egg burying behaviour in Pristimantis highlights the link between direct development and specialised parental care
Authors: Angiolani‐Larrea Francesca Nicole , Jindiachi Lelis , Tinajero‐Romero José Gabriel , Valencia‐Aguilar Anyelet , Garrido‐Priego Marina , Culebras Jaime , Ringler Eva
Published: December 2023

One of the most extreme adaptations to terrestriality in anurans is direct development, where eggs from terrestrial clutches entirely circumvent an aquatic tadpole stage and directly develop into small froglets. We here report the first case of egg‐burying behaviour in a neotropical direct‐developing frog with subsequent short‐term maternal care. An amplectant pair of Pristimantis chocoensis was found at the Reserva Canandé in Esmeraldas, Ecuador, and we recorded oviposition and the later rotation and active burying of the clutch by the female. Both parents remained close to the nest area the following day. This rare observation sheds light on the complex but often cryptic reproductive behaviours of terrestrial amphibians and suggests that the evolution of direct development has selected for highly specialized forms of parental care.
Experimental riparian forest gaps and increased sediment loads modify stream metabolic patterns and biofilm composition
Authors: Myrstener Maria , Greenberg Larry A. , Kuglerová Lenka
Published: December 2023

Forest management operations greatly influence stream habitats. Canopy clearing and subsequent canopy development during succession, site preparation, and ditching alter the light environment, and increase sediment inputs and nutrient exports from upland and riparian soils to streams. These physicochemical changes affect aquatic biofilms and metabolic rates, and in this study, we tested their individual and combined effects. We used 12 artificial streamside channels, together with a field survey of nine streams in and around clear‐cuts, to assess the effects of shading, substrate composition, and nutrient addition on biofilm biomass and composition, as well as metabolic rates. We found that biofilm biomass and gross primary production (GPP) were light limited in channels under 70% canopy shading. Nitrate additions at this shading level only marginally increased autotrophic biomass, while the rates of respiration increased 10‐fold when carbon was added. Open (unshaded) channels had three times higher rates of GPP compared with channels with 70% shading, and autotrophic biomass was twice as high, largely caused by the colonization of filamentous green algae. These changes to biofilm biomass, composition, and GPP were caused by differences in light alone, as temperature was not affected by the shading treatment. Notably, higher rates of GPP led to no positive effect on net ecosystem production. Further, fine‐grained substrates negatively affected GPP as compared with stone substrates in the experimental channels. In the surveyed streams, the negative effects of fine‐grained substrates exceeded the positive influence of light on biofilm biomass. Altogether, our results highlight the need for riparian management that protects headwaters from unwanted stressors by focusing on preventing sediment erosion and carbon transport in clear‐cuts, while providing variable shade conditions in second‐growth forests.
Plant biotype interacting grazing activity shapes grassland ecosystem functions
Authors: Wang Li , Feng Shou‐Jiang , Sun Dandi , Wang Junying , Wang Yijia , Lee Soon‐Jae , Lu Peina , Gan Yantai
Published: December 2023

Grasslands play an essential role in maintaining the health of planet Earth, but many grasslands have lost their ecosystem services due to unsustainable management practices, such as overgrazing. Little is known about how grazing activity interacts with plant biotypes, impacting grassland ecosystem services. Here, we (1) assessed the relative performance of five plant biotypes in response to grazing activities and (2) determined the effectiveness of grazing exclusion in enhancing soil physiochemical properties in grasslands. The synthesis of 39,214 observations on plant‐, soil‐, and anthropogeny‐related factors from 88 published studies revealed that grazing exclusion increased aboveground plant biomass accumulation by 100.4% (±4.2 SE), belowground biomass by 70.2% (±25.7), total soil C content by 21.4% (±1.7), and soil organic carbon (SOC) concentration by 14.3% (±0.8), on average, as compared to moderate‐to‐heavy (MtH) grazing. Plant biotypes responded to grazing activities differently; alpine meadows increased total soil C content by 107.2%, alpine steppes increased SOC by 52.2%, but desert steppes decreased total C content by 21.8% under the grazing exclusion. All plant biotypes reduced soil bulk density by 6.4%–19.4% under grazing exclusion. Soil microbial community diversity responded to grazing activities inconsistently, ranging from an 18% decrease to a 26% increase in soil microbial diversity compared to MtH grazing. We conclude that selecting appropriate plant biotypes alongside improved grazing management will enhance grassland ecosystem functions and services as plant biotypes affect aboveground and belowground biomass and interface with soil physiochemical properties.
MRI evidence for material‐specific encoding deficits and mesial–temporal alterations in presurgical frontal lobe epilepsy patients
Authors: Doll Anna , Wegrzyn Martin , Woermann Friedrich G. , Labudda Kirsten , Bien Christian G. , Kissler Johanna
Published: December 2023

Objective

Neuroimaging studies reveal frontal lobe (FL) contributions to memory encoding. Accordingly, memory impairments are documented in frontal lobe epilepsy (FLE). Still, little is known about the structural or functional correlates of such impairments. Particularly, material specificity of functional changes in cerebral activity during memory encoding in FLE is unclear.

Methods

We compared 24 FLE patients (15 right‐sided) undergoing presurgical evaluation with 30 healthy controls on a memory fMRI‐paradigm of learning scenes, faces, and words followed by an out‐of‐scanner recognition task as well as regarding their mesial temporal lobe (mTL) volumes. We also addressed effects of FLE lateralization and performance level (normal vs. low).

Results

FLE patients had poorer memory performance and larger left hippocampal volumes than controls. Volume increase seemed, however, irrelevant or even dysfunctional for memory performance. Further, functional changes in FLE patients were right‐sided for scenes and faces and bilateral for words. In detail, during face encoding, FLE patients had, regardless of their performance level, decreased mTL activation, while during scene and word encoding only low performing FLE patients had decreased mTL along with decreased FL activation. Intact verbal memory performance was associated with higher right frontal activation in FLE patients but not in controls.

Significance

Pharmacoresistant FLE has a distinct functional and structural impact on the mTL. Effects vary with the encoded material and patients' performance levels. Thus, in addition to the direct effect of the FL, memory impairment in FLE is presumably to a large part due to functional mTL changes triggered by disrupted FL networks.

Plain Language Summary

Frontal lobe epilepsy (FLE) patients may suffer from memory impairment. Therefore, we asked patients to perform a memory task while their brain was scanned by MRI in order to investigate possible changes in brain activation during learning. FLE patients showed changes in brain activation during learning and also structural changes in the mesial temporal lobe, which is a brain region especially relevant for learning but not the origin of the seizures in FLE. We conclude that FLE leads to widespread changes that contribute to FLE patients’ memory impairment.
On the fragility of non‐structural elements in loss and recovery: Field observations from Japan
Authors: O'Reilly Gerard J. , Hasegawa Kan , Shahnazaryan Davit , Poveda José , Fukutomi Yu , Kusaka Akihiro , Nakashima Masayoshi
Published: December 2023

The role of non‐structural elements (NSEs) in the seismic performance of buildings has been highlighted in past years. Research studies following state‐of‐the‐art methodologies generally find that when the structural collapse is not of significant concern, NSEs tend to dominate the repair costs and financial investment required in a building. This paper examines field observations from interviews and data collected from commercial buildings via structural health monitoring (SHM) following the 2018 Osaka earthquake in Japan. It suggests that fragility functions used in current methodologies for estimating NSE damage may not be entirely representative of the in‐situ reality and possibly underestimate actual damage. Additionally, interviews with building owners/managers indicate that the alarm and financial impact of NSEs was not as critical as anticipated, with much of the observed NSE damage not of serious concern and tolerable in many cases. This article provides discussion and insight into possible causes for these differences before discussing how current methodologies can benefit from these observations. It is believed that many of the fragility functions currently used to estimate NSE damage may not be representative because of differences in installation conditions and loading protocols used in experimental testing, possible interaction with other elements, variability in the quality of workmanship during installation and possible wear, tear and degradation during service. On the other hand, it is seen how SHM data recorded during seismic events may provide valuable data for an alternative means to develop fragility functions. Furthermore, it is seen that when building recovery states (RSs) other than the implicitly assumed ‘full recovery’ state used in guidelines like FEMA P‐58 are explored, the role of NSEs in direct monetary losses significantly reduces. This coincides with the field observations in Japan regarding the impact of NSEs and supports the recent developments in functional recovery on what building owners and occupants are prepared to tolerate post‐earthquake. It indicates that when discussing the relative importance of different building performance groups, it is vital that the expected RS is also stated, as for most decision‐makers following major events, functionality rather than full recovery remains the primary goal; hence, repairs and proactive measures should bear this in mind for more effective use of resources.
The effects of education on mortality: Evidence using college expansions
Authors: Fletcher Jason , Noghanibehambari Hamid
Published: December 2023

This paper explores the long‐run health benefits of education for longevity. Using mortality data from the Social Security Administration (1988–2005) linked to geographic locations in the 1940‐census data, we exploit changes in college availability across cohorts in local areas. Our treatment on the treated calculations suggest increases in longevity between 1.3 and 2.7 years. Some further analyses suggest the results are not driven by pre‐tends, endogenous migration, and other time‐varying local confounders. This paper adds to the literature on the health and social benefits of education.
Endoscopic endonasal combined transoral medial approach to the nasopharynx, parapharyngeal space, and jugular foramen
Authors: Mao Song , Tang Ru , Gu Yuelong , Chen Bin , Zhang Weitian
Published: December 2023

Objective

This study aimed to validate the feasibility of an endoscopic endonasal combined transoral medial approach for treating lesions in the nasopharynx, parapharyngeal space (PPS), and jugular foramen.

Methods

Anatomical and imaging information of six patients who underwent surgery via this approach were reviewed and analyzed.

Results

The feasibility and advantages of the endoscopic endonasal combined transoral medial approach, which uses an inside‐to‐outside medial surgical corridor, were identified. Total resection was achieved in 3 cases with benign tumors. Safe resection margins were obtained in 2 cases with recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Pathological biopsy of NPC lesion between the Eustachian tube and arterial sheath was achieved. The internal carotid artery (ICA) was accurately located and protected in all cases and no complications occurred.

Conclusion

Lesions in the nasopharynx, PPS, and jugular foramen can be directly assessed via this approach. The ICA can be well identified during the surgery.
Clinical validation of NerveTrend versus conventional i‐IONM mode of NIM Vital in prevention of recurrent laryngeal nerve events during bilateral thyroid surgery: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Barczyński Marcin , Konturek Aleksander
Published: December 2023

Background

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that use of NerveTrend™ mode of intermittent neuromonitoring (i‐IONM) during thyroidectomy may identify and prevent impending recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury.

Methods

A randomized clinical trial. The primary outcome was prevalence of RLN injury on postoperative day 1. In NerveTrend™ group the i‐IONM stimulator was used for trending of amplitude and latency changes from initial vagal electromyographic baseline to tailor surgical strategy.

Results

Some 264 patients were randomized into the intervention versus the control group, 132 patients each. RLN injury was found on postoperative day 1 in 5/264 (1.89%) nerves at risk (NAR) versus 12/258 (4.65%) NAR whereas staged thyroidectomy was used in 0/132 (0.00%) versus 6/132 (4.54%) patients (p = 0.067 and p = 0.029, respectively).

Conclusion

The use of NerveTrend™ mode resulted in tendency towards reduced RLN injury on postoperative day 1 and significant decrease of need for a staged thyroidectomy.
Knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) toward seasonal influenza vaccine among college students under the COVID‐19 pandemic in South China
Authors: Wu Di , Mai Yuexue , Liu Pan , Long Jie , Liu Qun , Wu Tiantian , Wang Dedong , Hu Xiangzhi , Lin Weiquan , Chen Xuejiao , Zhang Zhoubin , Qin Pengzhe
Published: December 2023

Background

The control measures of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic had influenced the activity of the influenza virus, and we were wondering the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) toward seasonal influenza vaccine among college students were having at the context of the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Methods

Online questionnaire survey of the college students was conducted and the data was collected anonymously, cross‐sectional study were used to describe the distribution of the KAP.

Results

There were 815 respondents in our study. Most participants have a high recognition of the effectiveness and safety of the influenza vaccine. However, a low awareness rate of influenza vaccine knowledge and vaccination rate (18%) against influenza was observed among college students. The education level and major would have a higher weight on the influence of KAP among the college students. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that the sex (OR = 2.163,p < .001), age (OR = 2.242,p < .001), heard of the influenza vaccine (OR = 2.655,p = .014), and “How necessary do you think vaccinating every year is?” (OR = 3.947,p < .001) of the college students were the main factors that affect the KAP on influenza vaccination.

Conclusions

Our study provided an insight into the KAP of influenza vaccine among college students in South China. The vaccination rate and acceptability of influenza vaccine in college students are higher than that in the whole population.
Validity and reliability of the agentive steadfastness index
Authors: Vosloo Cristel , Van Staden Werdie
Published: December 2023

Agentive steadfastness is a hitherto unarticulated and unmeasured construct, although clinicians may have drawn intuitively on it in anticipating clients' prognosis and anticipated responsiveness to adverse events. Following the conceptualisation and articulation of the agentive steadfastness construct and a measure thereof, the current study examined the validity and reliability of the agentive steadfastness index (ASI) among responding adult social media users (n = 511). Results confirmed convergent validity between agentive steadfastness and closest related psychological constructs, which were resilience (r = .715) and character strength (r = .704). Its discriminant validity was observed with other related but notably distinct psychological constructs, which were anxiety (r = −.599) and ego‐strength (r = −.244). Temporal stability was confirmed over a period of 6 months (r = .763). The ASI showed good internal (Cronbach alpha = .937) and split‐half reliability (r = .838) and a low standard error of measurement of 7.57 points within a theoretical range of 190 points. These results suggest that the ASI is a valid and a reliable measure of agentive steadfastness. Equipped with the ASI, further research is enabled on agentive steadfastness as a psychotherapeutic target and its relations with various aspects of personality, prognosis and adversity.
A study exploring the compounded effects of racial trauma across the lifespan of DAEUS citizens and surviving COVID‐19
Authors: Mingo Taryne M. , Haynes Kiauhna
Published: December 2023

Neglecting the compounded effects of racial trauma among senior Black Americans is to ignore the inequitable weight of surviving COVID‐19 after a lifetime in the southern United States (US). This phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of Descendants of Africans Enslaved in the US and how racial trauma across the lifespan affected their well‐being prior to COVID‐19 vaccine availability. Grounded in Critical Race Theory, findings and future research directions for counseling are discussed.
Utilization of Multi‐Parametric Quantitative Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Early Diagnosis of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Authors: Peng Fei , Tang Deqiu , Qing Weipeng , Chen Wei , Li Shuhao , Guo Yingkun , Luo Guanghua , Zhao Heng
Published: December 2023

Background

It is challenging to diagnose suspected Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients in the very early stage of the disease. More evidence is needed to demonstrate the potential of quantitative MRI (qMRI) in precisely identifying patients before substantial physical decline occurs.

Purpose

To assess the early diagnostic performance of multi‐parametric qMRI for DMD patients, and the ability to identify DMD patients with mild functional decline.

Study Type

Prospective.

Subjects

One hundred and forty DMD subjects (9.0 ± 2.2 years old), 24 male healthy controls (HCs) (9.2 ± 2.5 years old).

Field Strength/Sequence

3.0 T/3‐point Dixon, T1‐mapping, and T2‐mapping.

Assessment

qMRI measurements (fat fraction [FF], T1, and T2) of 11 thigh muscles (rectus femoris [RF], vastus lateralis [VL], vastus intermedius, vastus medialis, gracilis, sartorius, adductor longus, adductor magnus [AM], semitendinosus, semimembranosus, biceps femoris long head [BFLH]) on the right side were conducted. NorthStar ambulatory assessment (NSAA) score used to evaluate the function of DMD patients and divided them into three subgroups: mild (76–100 score), moderate (51–75 score), and severe (0–50 score) functional decline.

Statistical Tests

Independent t‐test, ANOVA analysis, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. A P‐value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Compared with HCs, FF and T2 were significantly higher in the group of all DMD patients, while T1 was significantly lower. The combination of T1 and T2 in RF, VL, AM, and BFLH achieved excellent area under curve (AUCs) (0.967–0.992) in differentiating five DMD patients without abnormal fat infiltration from HCs. Overall, T2 reached higher AUCs than FF and T1 in distinguishing DMD with mild functional decline from HCs, whereas FF achieved higher AUCs than T1 and T2 in distinguishing three DMD subgroups with functional decline.

Data Conclusion

Multi‐parametric qMRI demonstrate effective diagnostic capabilities for DMD patients in the early stage of the disease, and can identify patients with mild physical decline.

Level of Evidence

2

Technical Efficacy

Stage 3
Soilless cultivation systems to produce tailored microgreens for specific nutritional needs
Authors: D'Imperio Massimiliano , Bonelli Lucia , Mininni Carlo , Renna Massimiliano , Montesano Francesco Fabiano , Parente Angelo , Serio Francesco
Published: December 2023

BACKGROUND

The awareness of the importance of following dietary recommendations that meet specific biological requirements related to an individual's health status has significantly increased interest in personalized nutrition. The aim of this research was to test agronomic protocols based on soilless cultivation for providing consumers with new dietary sources of iodine (I), as well as alternative vegetable products to limit dietary potassium (K) intake; proposed cultivation techniques were evaluated according to their suitability to obtain such products without compromising agronomic performance.

RESULTS

Two independent experiments, focused on I and K respectively, were conducted in a commercial greenhouse specializing in soilless production. Four different species were cultivated using three distinct concentrations of I (0, 1.5 and 3 mg L−1) and K (0, 60 and 120 mg L−1). Microgreens grown in I‐rich nutrient solution accumulate more I, and the increase is dose‐dependent. Compared to unbiofortified microgreens, the treatments with 1.5 and 3 mg L−1 of I resulted in 4.5 and 14 times higher I levels, respectively. Swiss chard has the highest levels of K (14 096 mg kg−1 of FW), followed by rocket, pea and radish. In radish, rocket and Swiss chard, a total reduction of K content in the nutrient solution (0 mg L−1) resulted in an average reduction of 45% in K content.

CONCLUSION

It is possible to produce I‐biofortified microgreens to address I deficiency, and K‐reduced microgreens for chronic kidney disease‐affected people. Species selection is crucial to customize nutritional profiles according to specific dietary requirements due to substantial mineral content variations across different species. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.