bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Validating the Patient‐Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Short Form v1.0–Anxiety 8a in a sample of young adult cancer survivors: Comparison with a structured clinical diagnostic interview
Authors: Recklitis Christopher J. , Blackmon Jaime E. , Chevalier Lydia L. , Chang Grace
Published: July 2021

Background

The objective of this study was to validate the Patient‐Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Short Form v1.0–Anxiety 8a (PROMIS‐A‐SF) against a structured diagnostic interview in order to determine its accuracy and the most appropriate cutoff score for identifying anxiety disorders in young adult cancer survivors (YACSs).

Methods

Two hundred forty‐nine YACSs aged 18 to 40 years (50% male) completed the PROMIS‐A‐SF and the Structured Clinical Interview for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (SCID). The SCID was used to determine whether participants met the criteria for an anxiety diagnosis. Receiving operator characteristic analyses were performed to determine the concordance of the PROMIS‐A‐SF and the SCID as well as cutoff scores with sensitivity (≥0.85) and specificity (≥0.75) appropriate for an anxiety screening measure.

Results

The PROMIS‐A‐SF was determined to have good overall discrimination in comparison with the SCID (area under the curve, 0.84). A PROMIS‐A‐SF t‐score cutoff ≥ 53.2 (total predictive value, 67.9%) came closest to meeting the study criteria with a sensitivity of 88%, but the specificity was only 65%. In a hypothetical screening example, this cutoff led to moderate levels of missed cases (14%) and a significant proportion of clinical referrals that were unnecessary by SCID criteria (35%). Of the survivors referred for services according to these criteria, less than one‐third (29%) would have a SCID anxiety diagnosis.

Conclusions

The PROMIS‐A‐SF demonstrated moderately strong concordance with anxiety disorders measured by the SCID, but cutoff scores did not meet study criteria for clinical screening. Although it may not be appropriate as a standalone screener, the PROMIS‐A‐SF may be useful for assessing anxiety in YACSs when it is incorporated into clinical practice or when it is combined with other measures.
Simple Accurate Verification of Enthalpy‐Entropy Compensation and Isoequilibrium Relationship
Authors: Griessen Ronald , Dam Bernard
Published: July 2021

In many experimental investigations of thermodynamic equilibrium or kinetic properties of series of similar reactions it is found that the enthalpies and entropies derived from Van ′t Hoff or Arrhenius plots exhibit a strong linear correlation. The origin of this Enthalpy‐Entropy compensation, which is strongly related to the coalescence tendency of Van ′t Hoff or Arrhenius plots, is not necessarily due to a physical/chemical/biological process. It can also be a merely statistical artefact. A new method, called Combined K‐CQF makes it possible both to quantify the degree of coalescence of experimental Van ‘t Hoff lines and to verify whether or not the Enthalpy‐Entropy Compensation is of a statistical origin at a desired confidence level. The method is universal and can handle data sets with any degree of coalescence of Van ‘t Hoff (or Arrhenius) plots. The new method requires only a standard least square fit of the enthalpyΔH versus entropy ΔS plot to determine the two essential dimensionless parameters K and CQF. The parameter K indicates the position (in inverse temperature) of the coalescence region of Van ‘t Hoff plots and CQF is a quantitative measure of the smallest spread of the Van ‘t Hoff plots. The position of the (K, CQF) couple with respect to universal confidence contours determined from a large number of simulations of random Van ‘t Hoff plots indicates straightforwardly whether or not the ΔH‐ΔS compensation is a statistical artefact.
Protection against neonatal respiratory viral infection via maternal treatment during pregnancy with the benign immune training agent OM‐85
Authors: Lauzon‐Joset Jean‐Francois , Mincham Kyle T , Scott Naomi M , Khandan Yasmine , Stumbles Philip A , Holt Patrick G , Strickland Deborah H
Published: July 2021

Objectives

Incomplete maturation of immune regulatory functions at birth is antecedent to the heightened risk for severe respiratory infections during infancy. Our forerunner animal model studies demonstrated that maternal treatment with the microbial‐derived immune training agent OM‐85 during pregnancy promotes accelerated postnatal maturation of mechanisms that regulate inflammatory processes in the offspring airways. Here, we aimed to provide proof of concept for a novel solution to reduce the burden and potential long‐term sequelae of severe early‐life respiratory viral infection through maternal oral treatment during pregnancy with OM‐85, already in widespread human clinical use.

Methods

In this study, we performed flow cytometry and targeted gene expression (RT‐qPCR) analysis on lungs from neonatal offspring whose mothers received oral OM‐85 treatment during pregnancy. We next determined whether neonatal offspring from OM‐85 treated mothers demonstrate enhanced protection against lethal lower respiratory infection with mouse‐adapted rhinovirus (vMC0), and associated lung immune changes.

Results

Offspring from mothers treated with OM‐85 during pregnancy display accelerated postnatal seeding of lung myeloid populations demonstrating upregulation of function‐associated markers. Offspring from OM‐85 mothers additionally exhibit enhanced expression of TLR4/7 and the IL‐1β/NLRP3 inflammasome complex within the lung. These treatment effects were associated with enhanced capacity to clear an otherwise lethal respiratory viral infection during the neonatal period, with concomitant regulation of viral‐induced IFN response intensity.

Conclusion

These results demonstrate that maternal OM‐85 treatment protects offspring against lethal neonatal respiratory viral infection by accelerating development of innate immune mechanisms crucial for maintenance of local immune homeostasis in the face of pathogen challenge.
Analytical outage and coverage performance analysis of cell‐free massive MIMO system based on radio stripe
Authors: Mishra Aman Kumar , Ponnusamy Vijayakumar
Published: July 2021

Cell‐free mMIMO (massive multiple input multiple output) is slated to be beyond 5G (B5G) wireless technology, given the attractive features it offers, higher spectral efficiency, higher‐energy efficiency, and superior spatial diversity. However, large numbers of long cables between each access point (AP) and central processing unit (CPU) (front haul requirements) mar its practical adoption. Radio stripe is one such architecture of cell‐free mMIMO suitable for practical deployment. In this work, we derive the closed‐form expression of probability of outage in the uplink of Cell‐Free mMIMO System Based on Radio Stripe (CFMMSBRS) and coverage probability in the downlink of CFMMSBRS, respectively. We employ, Welch–Satterthwaite approximation for accurate approximation of sum of independent gamma random variables with different shape and rate parameter. Results indicate that both outage and coverage achieved good performance especially when numbers of APs L in radio stripe network are greater than numbers of user equipments (UEs) K in the network.
TSPAN1 silencing protects against cerulein‐induced pancreatic acinar cell injury via targeting AGR2
Authors: Wang Jing , Huang Jing , Huang Lili
Published: July 2021

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an inflammatory gastrointestinal disorder affecting the pancreas. Previous study reported that tetraspanin 1 (TSPAN1) expression was significantly upregulated in the pancreas of AP patients. However, the underlying molecular mechanism of TSPAN1 in the pathogenesis of AP remains unclear. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate the potential role of TSPAN1 in development of AP. RT‐qPCR was carried out to quantify the relative mRNA levels of TSPAN1 and anterior gradient‐2 (AGR2). The CCK‐8 assay was used to detect the cell viability. The TUNEL assay was performed to visualize the apoptotic cells. Western blot was performed to determine the expressions of proteins related to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and apoptosis. ELISA kits were adopted to detect the concentration of inflammatory cytokines including TNF‐α and IL‐6. Finally, immunoprecipitation (IP) was used to verify the interaction between TSPAN1 and AGR2. TSPAN1 was upregulated in serum of AP patients and AP cell models. TSPAN1 silencing promoted the cell proliferation and inhibited inflammatory response in cerulein‐induced AR42J cells. Moreover, TSPAN1 induced endoplasmic reticulum stress by binding AGR2. Interestingly, the overexpression of AGR2 abolished the effects of TSPAN1 silencing on cell proliferation and inflammatory response in cerulein‐induced AR42J cells. In summary, TSPAN1 silencing protects against cerulein‐induced pancreatic acinar cell injury through inhibiting ER stress‐mediated by AGR2. Hence, TSPAN1 may serve as a promising therapeutic target for AP treatment.
Neurophysiological patterns associated with blunted emotional face processing and withdrawal tendencies in young children exposed to intimate partner violence
Authors: Goldstein Brandon L. , Grasso Damion J. , McCarthy Kimberly J. , DiVietro Susie , Briggs‐Gowan Margaret J.
Published: July 2021

Studies linking child maltreatment to abnormal neurophysiological responses to emotional stimuli and mental health impairment have not specifically explored these patterns in young children exposed to intimate partner violence (IPV). The present study examined two neurophysiological indicators, resting‐state electroencephalography and an emotion event‐related potential (ERP) in 21 IPV exposed and 30 nonexposed children ages 4–6 years recruited from the community and domestic violence shelters. Frontal alpha asymmetry (FAA) was assessed while at rest. FAA is often associated with avoidant/withdrawn behavior and increased risk of IPV‐related mental health conditions (e.g., depression). Additionally, the late positive potential (LPP) ERP component, reflecting motivated attention, was acquired in the context of an age‐appropriate affective oddball paradigm with low probability animal pictures as targets and human facial expressions (angry, happy, neutral) as distracters. Results demonstrated that IPV‐exposed children, compared with nonexposed children, exhibited lower left FAA during resting state and reduced LPPs to oddball targets and affective faces relative to neutral faces in the oddball task. Together, these results suggest neural patterns associated with a blunted response to emotional stimuli and withdrawal tendencies, respectively, in young children exposed to IPV. Implications for emotional socialization in this vulnerable population are discussed.
One brick at a time: Building a developmental profile of spatial abilities
Authors: Aguilar Ramirez Daniela E. , Blinch Jarrod , Gonzalez Claudia L.R.
Published: July 2021

Spatial abilities are not only fundamental for activities of daily living, but they are also markers of academic and professional success. It has remained a challenge, however, to understand their development across childhood and adolescence, partly because of the lack of spatial tasks that are appropriate across age groups. For example, the well‐established paper‐based mental rotation test (MRT) has been shown to be too difficult for children. In the current study, we tested girls and boys in three age groups: younger children (5–8‐years‐old), older children (9–12), and adolescents (13–17) on a hands‐on visuospatial task using toy bricks: the brick‐building task (BBT). Children completed a low‐ and a high‐mental rotation demand (LMR and HMR) version of the BBT and the paper‐based MRT. Correlations were found between all tasks. Children, especially females, found the HMR more challenging than the LMR condition, but all children successfully completed the BBT. In contrast, the MRT was too difficult for the younger children to solve performing at chance. Given this result and that the BBT is a game‐like, 3D, interactive task, the BBT could be used to examine the biological and/or environmental factors that affect the early development of visuospatial abilities.
Developing Biopsychosocial Research on Maternal Mental Health in Malawi: Community Perspectives and Concerns
Authors: Manda‐Taylor Lucinda , Umar Eric , Stewart Robert C. , Kufankomwe Macdonald , Chorwe‐Sungani Genesis , Mwale Owen C. , Kokota Demoubly , Nyirenda Joyce , Kulisewa Kazione , Pickersgill Martyn
Published: July 2021

Interest in maternal mental health research is growing around the world. Maternal mental health research studies in Malawi have, for instance, sought to determine and establish the incidence and prevalence of depression and anxiety in pregnant people and the factors that contribute to experiences of these states. This article reports stakeholder perspectives on potential community concerns with biopsychosocial mental health research (which might include collecting blood samples) in Malawi. These perspectives were generated through a town hall event that featured five focus group discussions with various participants. In this article, we reflect on key themes from these discussions, demonstrating the endurance of long‐standing concerns and practices around autonomy, consent, and the drawing of blood. We conclude by arguing that, while maternal mental health research conducted in Malawi could benefit Malawian women and children, consultation with community stakeholders is necessary to inform whether and how such research should be conducted.
Plotting receiver operating characteristic and precision–recall curves from presence and background data
Authors: Li Wenkai , Guo Qinghua
Published: July 2021

The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and precision–recall (PR) plots have been widely used to evaluate the performance of species distribution models. Plotting the ROC/PR curves requires a traditional test set with both presence and absence data (namely PA approach), but species absence data are usually not available in reality. Plotting the ROC/PR curves from presence‐only data while treating background data as pseudo absence data (namely PO approach) may provide misleading results.

In this study, we propose a new approach to calibrate the ROC/PR curves from presence and background data with user‐provided information on a constant c, namely PB approach. Here, c defines the probability that species occurrence is detected (labeled), and an estimate of c can also be derived from the PB‐based ROC/PR plots given that a model with good ability of discrimination is available. We used five virtual species and a real aerial photography to test the effectiveness of the proposed PB‐based ROC/PR plots. Different models (or classifiers) were trained from presence and background data with various sample sizes. The ROC/PR curves plotted by PA approach were used to benchmark the curves plotted by PO and PB approaches.

Experimental results show that the curves and areas under curves by PB approach are more similar to that by PA approach as compared with PO approach. The PB‐based ROC/PR plots also provide highly accurate estimations of c in our experiment.

We conclude that the proposed PB‐based ROC/PR plots can provide valuable complements to the existing model assessment methods, and they also provide an additional way to estimate the constant c (or species prevalence) from presence and background data.
Climatic‐niche evolution with key morphological innovations across clades within Scutiger boulengeri (Anura: Megophryidae)
Authors: Lin Xiuqin , Shih Chungkun , Hou Yinmeng , Shu Xiaoxiao , Zhang Meihua , Hu Junhua , Jiang Jianping , Xie Feng
Published: July 2021

The studies of climatic‐niche shifts over evolutionary time accompanied by key morphological innovations have attracted the interest of many researchers recently. We applied ecological niche models (ENMs), ordination method (environment principal component analyses; PCA‐env), combined phylogenetic comparative methods (PCMs), and phylogenetic generalized least squares (PGLS) regression methods to analyze the realized niche dynamics and correspondingly key morphological innovations across clades within Scutiger boulengeri throughout their distributions in Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP) margins of China. Our results show there are six clades in S. boulengeri and obvious niche divergences caused by niche expansion in three clades. Moreover, in our system, niche expansion is more popular than niche unfilling into novel environmental conditions. Annual mean temperature, annual precipitation, and precipitation of driest month may contribute to such a shift. In addition, we identified several key climatic factors and morphological traits that tend to be associated with niche expansion in S. boulengeri clades correspondingly. We found phenotypic plasticity [i.e., length of lower arm and hand (LAHL), hind‐limb length (HLL), and foot length (FL)] and evolutionary changes [i.e., snout–vent length (SVL)] may together contribute to niche expansion toward adapting novel niche, which provides us a potential pattern of how a colonizing toad might seed a novel habitat to begin the process of speciation and finally adaptive radiation. For these reasons, persistent phylogeographic divisions and accompanying divergences in niche occupancy and morphological adaption suggest that for future studies, distinct genetic structure and morphological changes corresponding to each genetic clade should be included in modeling niche evolution dynamics, but not just constructed at the species level.
Temporal and spatial variation in bacterial communities on uniform substrates in non‐wadeable rivers
Authors: Wood Susanna A. , Biessy Laura , Pingram Michael A. , Hamer Mark P. , Wagenhoff Annika , Clapcott Joanne , Pearman John K.
Published: July 2021

Undertaking environmental assessments on non‐wadeable rivers is challenging due to their size, depth, and water velocity. The cotton strip assay (CSA) is a functional indicator used in assessing the ecological health of non‐wadeable rivers by measuring cellulose decomposition potential. Enhancing knowledge on the microbial communities responsible for decomposition would assist in developing a microbial‐based biotic index that could complement the CSA. The aims of this study were to explore the temporal and spatial variability of bacterial communities on cotton strips, identify environmental drivers of differences, and detect potential indicator taxa. Cotton strips were deployed at 12 sites, spanning a range of water quality and catchment land uses in three separate months. Each site was placed into an ecological health category (EHC) from A (healthy) to D (poor). Metabarcoding (16S rRNA) was used to characterize bacterial communities. There was a significant interaction between month and site and between month and EHC. Higher temperatures and pH were identified as key drivers of differences in bacterial communities in February (summer) and higher levels of ammoniacal nitrogen, nitrate/nitrite nitrogen, and turbidity in August (winter). After removal of amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) in low abundance, 27 taxa indicative of EHCs were identified. ASVs associated with EHC‐A were generally negatively correlated with modified land use and nitrate/nitrite nitrogen. In contrast, ASVs associated with EHC‐D were positively correlated to modified land use and temperature. With further validation, a molecular microbial index could be developed to aid in assessing the health of non‐wadeable rivers.
Laser‐Induced Recoverable Fluorescence Quenching of Perovskite Films at a Microscopic Grain Scale
Authors: Xiang Yuren , Cao Yameng , Yang Wenqiang , Hu Rui , Wood Sebastian , Li Bowei , Hu Qin , Zhang Fan , He Jujie , Yavari Mozhgan , Zhao Jinlai , Zhao Yunlong , Song Jun , Qu Junle , Zhu Rui , Russell Thomas P. , Silva S. Ravi P. , Zhang Wei
Published: July 2021

Understanding the fundamental properties of metal‐halide perovskite materials is driving the development of novel optoelectronic applications. Here, we report the observation of a recoverable laser‐induced fluorescence quenching phenomenon in perovskite films with a microscopic grain‐scale restriction, accompanied by spectral variations. This fluorescence quenching depends on the laser intensity and the dwell time under Auger recombination dominated conditions. These features indicate that the perovskite lattice deformation may take the main responsibility for the transient and show a new aspect to understand halide perovskite photo‐stability. We further modulate this phenomenon by adjusting the charge carrier recombination and extraction, revealing that efficient carrier transfer can improve the bleaching resistance of perovskite grains. Our results provide future opportunities to attain high‐performance devices by tuning the perovskite lattice disorder and harvesting the energetic carriers.
Self‐Floating Efficient Solar Steam Generators Constructed Using Super‐Hydrophilic N,O Dual‐Doped Carbon Foams from Waste Polyester
Authors: Bai Huiying , Liu Ning , Hao Liang , He Panpan , Ma Changde , Niu Ran , Gong Jiang , Tang Tao
Published: July 2021

Solar evaporation is recognized as a prospective technique to produce freshwater from non‐drinkable water using inexhaustible solar energy. However, it remains a challenge to fabricate low‐cost solar evaporators with obviously reduced water evaporation enthalpy to achieve high evaporation rates. Herein, N,O dual‐doped carbon foam (NCF) is fabricated from the low‐temperature carbonization of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) waste by melamine/molten salts at 340 °C. During carbonization, melamine reacts with carboxylic acids of PET degradation products to yield a crosslinking network, and then molten salts catalyze the decarboxylation and dehydration to construct a stable framework. Owing to rich N,O‐containing groups, 3D interconnected pores, super‐hydrophilicity, and ultra‐low thermal conductivity (0.0599 W m−1 K−1), NCF not only achieves high light absorbance (ca. 99%) and solar‐to‐thermal conversion, but also promotes the formation of water cluster to reduce water evaporation enthalpy by ca. 37%. Consequently, NCF exhibits a high evaporation rate (2.4 kg m−2 h−1), surpassing the‐state‐of‐the‐art solar evaporators, and presents good anti‐acid/basic abilities, long‐term salt‐resistance, and self‐cleaning ability. Importantly, a large‐scale NCF‐based outdoor solar desalination device is developed to produce freshwater. The daily freshwater production amount per unit area (6.3 kg) meets the two adults' daily water consumption. The trash‐to‐treasure strategy will give impetus to the development of low‐cost, advanced solar evaporators from waste plastics for addressing the global freshwater shortage.
Photocatalyst with Chloroplast‐like Structure for Enhancing Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Zhao Fei , Zhang Nan , Li Hao , Zhang Xiaochen , Luo Zhengtang , Wang Yuhua
Published: July 2021

Photosynthesis with the chloroplast works efficiently because of the envelope structure that serves to carry enzymes and to simultaneously maintain the spatial separation of photosynthesis and cellular respiration. Inspired by the spatially separated architecture, a chloroplast‐like structured photocatalyst (PdS@CdS@MoS2), in which the PdS and MoS2 function as enzymes in the chloroplast and CdS shell functions as the chloroplast envelope, was developed to improve the photocatalytic H2 evolution. In this unique nanoscale bionic structure, the poriferous CdS shell enhances light absorption, generates photoinduced carriers, and separates oxidation and reduction reactions. Meanwhile, PdS and MoS2 dual cocatalysts enhance the charge separation efficiency through forming a built‐in electric field with CdS. We demonstrate that the separation efficiency of carriers, carrier lifetime, and the yield of H2 are both higher than that of CdS nanoparticles, evidencing the feasibility of the chloroplast‐like structure in enhancing the photocatalyst activity. This work emphasizes the synergism of the three key processes of the photocatalytic reaction by simulating the chloroplast structure and provides a general synthesis strategy, the synthesis of novel structured for photocatalysts for diverse applications in the energy field.
Newly acquired complete right bundle branch block early after heart transplantation is associated with lower survival
Authors: Rahm Ann‐Kathrin , Helmschrott Matthias , Darche Fabrice F. , Thomas Dierk , Bruckner Tom , Ehlermann Philipp , Kreusser Michael M. , Warnecke Gregor , Frey Norbert , Rivinius Rasmus
Published: July 2021

Aims

Right bundle branch block (RBBB) after heart transplantation (HTX) is a common finding, but its impact on post‐transplant survival remains uncertain. This study investigated the post‐transplant outcomes of patients with complete RBBB (cRBBB) ≤ 30 days after HTX.

Methods

This registry study analysed 639 patients receiving HTX at Heidelberg Heart Center between 1989 and 2019. Patients were stratified by diagnosis of cRBBB ≤ 30 days after HTX. Analysis included recipient and donor data, medication, echocardiographic features, graft rejections, atrial fibrillation, heart rates, permanent pacemaker implantation and mortality after HTX including causes of death.

Results

One hundred thirty‐nine patients showed cRBBB ≤ 30 days after HTX (21.8%), 20 patients with pre‐existing cRBBB in the donor heart (3.2%) and 119 patients with newly acquired cRBBB (18.6%). Patients with newly acquired cRBBB had a worse 1‐year post‐transplant survival (36.1%, P < 0.01) compared with patients with pre‐existing cRBBB (85.0%) or without cRBBB (86.4%), along with a higher percentage of death due to graft failure (P < 0.01). Multivariate analysis indicated cRBBB ≤ 30 days after HTX as significant risk factor for 1‐year mortality after HTX (HR: 2.20; 95% CI: 1.68–2.87; P < 0.01). Secondary outcomes showed a higher rate of an enlarged right atrium (P = 0.01), enlarged right ventricle (P < 0.01), reduced right ventricular function (P < 0.01), 30‐day atrial fibrillation (P < 0.01) and 1‐year permanent pacemaker implantation (P = 0.02) in patients with cRBBB after HTX.

Conclusions

Newly acquired cRBBB early after HTX is associated with increased post‐transplant mortality.
CAR T cells: Building on the CD19 paradigm
Authors: Globerson Levin Anat , Rivière Isabelle , Eshhar Zelig , Sadelain Michel
Published: July 2021

Spearheaded by the therapeutic use of chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) targeting CD19, synthetic immunology has entered the clinical arena. CARs are recombinant receptors for antigen that engage cell surface molecules through the variable region of an antibody and signal through arrayed T‐cell activating and costimulatory domains. CARs allow redirection of T‐cell cytotoxicity against any antigen of choice, independent of MHC expression. Patient T cells engineered to express CARs specific for CD19 have yielded remarkable outcomes in subjects with relapsed/refractory B‐ cell malignancies, setting off unprecedented interest in T‐cell engineering and cell‐based cancer immunotherapy. In this review, we present the challenges to extend the use of CAR T cells to solid tumors and other pathologies. We further highlight progress in CAR design, cell manufacturing, and genome editing, which in aggregate hold the promise of generating safer and more effective genetically instructed immunity. Novel engineered cell types, including innate T‐cell types, natural killer (NK) cells, macrophages, and induced pluripotent stem cell‐derived immune cells, are on the horizon, as are applications of CAR T cells to treat autoimmunity, severe infections, and senescence‐associated pathologies.
Nitrogen‐doped TiO2 Nanocrystals for Highly Sensitive Electrochemical Immunoassay of Carcinoembryonic Antigen
Authors: Lu Xin , Xu Jia , Wang Yulin , Xue Yadong , Li Juan , Hu Xiaoya , Yang Zhanjun
Published: July 2021

Nitrogen‐doped TiO2 nanocrystals (N−TiO2 NCs) were simply synthesized and then functionalized with streptavidin for highly sensitive electrochemical immunoassay of tumor marker. Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, static water contact angle, and cyclic voltametric measurement were adapted to examine the properties of N−TiO2 NCs and resultant immunosensor. The functionalized N−TiO2 NCs sensing platform shows high electrochemical conductivity, large surface area and excellent hydrophilicity. The features make them to produce high current response, capture more antibody molecules, and maintain the bioactivity of immobilized antibodies. By means of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) as model tumor marker, a wide linear range of 0.005–3 ng/mL and a low detection limit of 0.005 ng/mL (signal‐to‐noise ratio of 3) were achieved by the proposed CEA immunosensor. Furthermore, the resultant CEA immunosensor displays high specificity and was employed to determine CEA in clinical serum samples.
Electrophoretic mobility and stability of SiO2 nanoparticles in the solutions of AOT in n‐hexadecane‐chloroform mixtures
Authors: Shaparenko Nikita O. , Demidova Marina G. , Bulavchenko Alexander I.
Published: July 2021

Electrophoretic mobility of SiO2 nanoparticles in a n‐hexadecane‐chloroform mixture depending on AOT concentration and chloroform content was determined. It was shown that an increase in chloroform content and a decrease in AOT concentration cause a growth in electrophoretic mobility. The use of the values of Debye lengths (characteristic thickness) of the diffuse part of the electric double layer (EDL) that were determined previously allowed us to calculate the electrokinetic potential and to evaluate the stability of organosols. The obtained data were in good correlation with the dynamics of temporal changes of hydrodynamic radius and the intensity of light scattering. Organosols may be used for heteroaggregation (sorption) of Au and Ag nanoparticles on SiO2.
Interface engineering of metal nanomaterials enhance the electrocatalytic water splitting and fuel cell performance
Authors: Jiang Xue , Zhang Wen , Xu Guang‐Rui , Lai Jianping , Wang Lei
Published: July 2021

We conclude this review with a perspective of interface engineering strategy for enhancing the activity of metal catalysts for electrocatalytic water splitting and direct alcohol fuel cells (DAFCs). The organic ligands could modify the surface of metal nanostructures, and also could affect the electronic structure of metals. Due to the specific physical and chemical properties of organic ligands, the metal nanostructures exhibit super catalytic selectivity to some reaction precursors. This minireview focuses on evaluating the catalytic mechanisms for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER), alcohol oxygen reaction (AOR), and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), which are the main reactions for water splitting and DAFCs, respectively, which are driven by interface engineering. This new strategy provides an approach for the design and synthesis of nanostructures modifying by organic ligands, providing a reasonable outlook of their extensive application in chemical energy conversion and storage, and selective fuel production.
Productivity Modeling Enhancement of a Solar Desalination Unit with Nanofluids Using Machine Learning Algorithms Integrated with Bayesian Optimization
Authors: Kandeal Abdallah W. , An Meng , Chen Xiangquan , Algazzar Almoataz M. , Kumar Thakur Amrit , Guan Xiaoyu , Wang Jianyong , Elkadeem Mohamed R. , Ma Weigang , Sharshir Swellam W.
Published: July 2021

Herein, double slope solar still (DSSS) performance is accurately forecast with the aid of four different machine learning (ML) models, namely, artificial neural network (ANN), random forest (RF), support vector regression (SVR), and linear SVR. Furthermore, the tuning of ML models is optimized using the Bayesian optimization algorithm (BOA) to get the optimal performance of all models and identify the best predictive one. All the models are trained, tested, and validated depending on experimental data acquired under Egyptian climatic conditions. The results reveal that ML models can be a powerful tool to forecast DSSS performance. Among them, RF is the most potent ML model obtaining the highest determination coefficient (R2) and the lowest absolute error percentage of 0.997% and 2.95%, respectively. Furthermore, the experimental results also show that the mean value of accumulated (daily) freshwater productivity from DSSS is 4.3 L m−2.
Ephemeral landform development following rapid coastal uplift in the southern orogen of Taiwan
Authors: Giletycz Slawomir Jack , Lin Andrew Tien‐Shun , Yamada Katsura , Wang Liang‐Chi , Chien Chih‐Wei , Lou Jiann‐Yuh , Huang Neng‐Wei , Ting Che‐Yung , Shih Kuo‐Wei
Published: July 2021

Newly emerged landscapes above sea level are characterized by rapidly evolving geomorphic systems where the initial fluvial pattern adapts to a former submarine topography. Such an early formed fluvial system establishes drainage basins and unstable landforms that characterize high topographic asymmetry which are prone to fast removal or reorganization. Transitional landscapes might form depositional systems as lakes or ponds that subsequently are incised, captured and incorporated into drainage basins. In this study we focus on the recently emerged Hengchun Peninsula to survey its paleoenvironment evolution. Three drillings performed in the Gangkou basin with fieldwork revealed several indicators that reconstructed stages of the landscape reorganization. The major finding shows an ephemeral large lake in the central part of the Hengchun Peninsula that was drained to the Pacific c. 6000 bp. The lake belonged to an ephemeral lakeland that was created after the emergence of the peninsula. Currently, several areas as relict landforms indicate this stage of topography evolution that through high rates of incision and subsequent captures, transforms into drainage basins. Furthermore, two drillings show brackish waters at the present estuary of the Gangkou basin. These two different paleoenvironments today build one system – Gangkou catchment. Long‐term uplift rates show that a hanging wall of the Hengchun Fault plays a significant role in the creation of a lakeland by tilting the peninsula's surface. The tilt impacts on asymmetrical emergence of the peninsula and catchment development. Our study shows that a new geomorphic system might create depositional ephemeral landforms (lakes) that represent phases of early topography evolution after emergence above a sea level that are subjected to instantaneous rearrangement and evolves through large‐scale phases before it reaches a topographic steady‐state.
Antidepressants Modify Cryptic Behavior in Juvenile Cuttlefish at Environmentally Realistic Concentrations
Authors: Chabenat Apolline , Knigge Thomas , Bellanger Cécile
Published: July 2021

Contamination of the marine environment by antidepressants may affect neurophysiological processes in nontarget organisms, such as the common cuttlefish, Sepia officinalis. The present study tested whether environmentally realistic concentrations of antidepressants, that is, fluoxetine alone (5 ng L–1) or cumulated with venlafaxine (2.5 or 5 ng L–1), affect camouflage in newly hatched cuttlefish. The results show that antidepressants improved uniform body patterns, whereas disruptive body patterns were not affected. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:2571–2577. © 2021 SETAC
Assessment of the Vulnerability to Pesticide Exposures Across Bee Species
Authors: Schmolke Amelie , Galic Nika , Feken Max , Thompson Helen , Sgolastra Fabio , Pitts-Singer Theresa , Elston Charlotte , Pamminger Tobias , Hinarejos Silvia
Published: July 2021

In many countries, the western honey bee is used as surrogate in pesticide risk assessments for bees. However, uncertainty remains in the estimation of pesticide risk to non-Apis bees because their potential routes of exposure to pesticides, life histories, and ecologies differ from those of honey bees. We applied the vulnerability concept in pesticide risk assessment to 10 bee species including the honey bee, 2 bumble bee species, and 7 solitary bee species with different nesting strategies. Trait-based vulnerability considers the evaluation of a species at the level of both the organism (exposure and effect) and the population (recovery), which goes beyond the sensitivity of individuals to a toxicant assessed in standard laboratory toxicity studies by including effects on populations in the field. Based on expert judgment, each trait was classified by its relationship to the vulnerability to pesticide exposure, effects (intrinsic sensitivity), and population recovery. The results suggested that the non-Apis bees included in our approach are potentially more vulnerable to pesticides than the honey bee due to traits governing exposure and population recovery potential. Our analysis highlights many uncertainties related to the interaction between bee ecology and the potential exposures and population-level effects of pesticides, emphasizing the need for more research to identify suitable surrogate species for higher tier bee risk assessments. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:2640–2651. © 2021 SETAC
The Natural Regulation and Relevance of Wild and Hatchery Coho Salmon Production in the Strait of Georgia
Authors: Beamish Richard , Neville Chrys
Published: July 2021

The commercial and recreational fishery for Coho Salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch in the Strait of Georgia in the 1970s and 1980s that annually averaged 733,800 individuals declined in the 1990s and was closed in 1998. We observed that above a threshold, ocean carrying capacity is regulating production and not the number of juvenile Coho Salmon entering the Strait of Georgia. We show that a 52% reduction in releases of Coho Salmon from Canadian hatcheries from 2010–2018 did not change the average abundance of hatchery fish surviving through to September of their first ocean year. Our explanation that above a threshold number of smolts, ocean carrying capacity is regulating production rather than escapements is relevant to rebuilding efforts and the use of hatcheries. The results add to the accumulating evidence that production of Pacific salmon Oncorhynchus spp. is closely related to the capacity for rapid growth in the first months in coastal ecosystems.
Projecting the effect of easing societal restrictions on non‐COVID‐19 emergency demand in the UK: Statistical inference using public mobility data
Authors: Powell Anna L. , Wood Richard M.
Published: July 2021

While it is well established that societal restrictions have been effective in reducing COVID‐19 emergency demand, evidence also suggests an impact upon emergency demand not directly related to COVID‐19 infection. Hospital planning may benefit from a greater understanding of this association and the ability to reliably forecast future levels of non‐COVID‐19 demand. Activity data for Accident and Emergency (A&E) attendances and emergency admissions were sourced for all hospitals within the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire healthcare system. These were regressed upon publicly available mobility data obtained from Google’s Community Mobility Reports for the local area. Seasonal trends were controlled for using time series decomposition. The models were used to predict non‐COVID‐19 emergency demand under the UK Government’s plan to sequentially lift all restrictions by 21 June 2021, in addition to three alternative hypothetical relaxation strategies. Rates of public mobility within the local area were shown to account for 77% and 65% of the variance in non‐COVID‐19 related A&E attendances and emergency admissions respectively. Modelling supports an increase in emergency demand in line with the level and timing of societal restrictions, with significant increases to be expected upon the ending of all legal limits. This study finds that non‐COVID‐19 emergency demand associates with the level of societal restrictions, with rates of public mobility representing a key determinant. Through predictive modelling, healthcare systems can improve their demand forecasting in effectively managing hospital capacity.
The dilemma of treating the infected versus the wounded: Gaza's healthcare system is choked
Authors: Aamir Alifiya , Awan Hashir Ali , Diwan Mufaddal Najmuddin , Kazmi Syeda Kanza , Hasan Mohammad Mehedi , Douba Zain , Ullah Irfan
Published: July 2021

Gaza has been facing persistent disturbance since the last 14 years. Even before the pandemic, Gaza faced a dire healthcare consequence with prevalent instability, lack of adequate medical resources, and limited health‐related infrastructure. Gaza continued to struggle while responding to the pandemic as the other nearby countries. However, the challenges were compounded with the onset of the conflict that affected Gaza's infrastructure and displaced tens of thousands to make‐shift shelters. The testing capacity of Gaza is alarmingly low that makes any outbreak difficult to document. Additionally, all medical centres have been affected by the ongoing conflict. These centres, if not directly impacted, are severely overwhelmed with those injured during the conflict, shifting focus and resources away from coronavirus. Vaccinations in Gaza cover only 1.9% of the population and a great number of unvaccinated people now may act as vectors of transmission in overcrowded shelters. Furthermore, non‐availability of clean water to maintain hygienic conditions has heightened the risk of an explosive surge in cases. Hence, beyond the ceasefire, further steps need to be taken to strengthen Gazan response to COVID‐19 pandemic.
Prevalence and persistent use of analgesic drugs in older adults receiving domiciliary care at baseline—A longitudinal study
Authors: Tevik Kjerstin , Benth Jūratė Šaltytė , Aarøen Marte , Lornstad Marie Turmo , Bergh Sverre , Helvik Anne‐S.
Published: July 2021

Aims

To describe the prevalence and persistence of analgesic drug use (opioids and antipyretics [ie, paracetamol and acetylsalicylic acid]) in participants (≥70 years) with and without dementia receiving domiciliary care in the eastern part of Norway. In addition, to explore factors associated with persistent drug use and examine whether drug use has changed after admission to a nursing home.

Methods

A longitudinal study with 1001 participants (mean [SD] age 83.4 [5.7] years) receiving domiciliary care. Medical information including analgesic drug use was collected at baseline (A1) between August 2008 and December 2010, follow‐up assessments after 18 (A2) and 36 months (A3). Analgesic drugs prescribed for regular use were recorded from the participants' medical records. The participants' cognitive and physical health was evaluated at all assessments. Level of care (domiciliary care or nursing home care) was recorded at A2 and A3. Generalized linear mixed models were used to examine the prevalence and persistence of analgesic drug use.

Results

The prevalence of prescribed use of antipyretics and opioids was 13.6% and 9.2%, respectively. Participants with dementia had more frequent use of antipyretics in all assessments and opioids in the last assessment than participants without dementia. Persistent use of both antipyretics and opioids was high between two consecutive assessments, both for participants with and without dementia. Persistent use of analgesics was associated with poorer physical functioning, but not by level of care. Overall, there was no difference between those admitted to a nursing home and those receiving domiciliary care at follow‐up, with respect to change in analgesic drug use over time.

Conclusion

The prevalence and persistent use of analgesics were high in older adults receiving domiciliary care at baseline and especially in participants with dementia. A holistic approach and interdisciplinary collaboration are essential to effectively assess and treat pain in older adults.
Effects of social prescribing pilot project for the elderly in rural area of South Korea during COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Kim Ji Eon , Lee Yu Lim , Chung Min Ah , Yoon Hye Jin , Shin Dong Eun , Choi Jin Hee , Lee Sangheon , Kim Hae Kyung , Nam Eun Woo
Published: July 2021

Background

Older adults—classified as a high‐risk group—are highly likely to experience increased loneliness due to the implementation of various policies designed to prevent the spread of COVID‐19. Accordingly, this study aims to examine the effects of a pilot social prescribing project for elderly people in rural area of South Korea during the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Methods

Using the PRECEDE‐PROCEED model, the effectiveness of the pilot project was verified through pre‐ and post‐impact and outcome evaluation.

Results

According to the results of the impact evaluation, loneliness reduced significantly, while the social participation attitude score increased. Although the average score of self‐efficacy increased, it was not statistically significant. Moreover, it was found that self‐esteem increased significantly. In the outcome evaluation, depression reduced considerably.

Conclusion

To conclude, the pilot social prescribing project was effective in reducing depression and loneliness for the elderly in rural areas of Korea. It was also confirmed that there is potential to develop a new health promotion project that can improve the self‐esteem of the elderly, and expand their social activities. Second, the pilot project was carried out in an integrated manner by utilizing resources in communities with good accessibility. Therefore, it is expected to be used as a new “Integrated community care model” to improve the mental health of the elderly in rural areas. Third, during the COVID‐19 pandemic, the elderly tend to experience increasing feelings of depression, isolation, and loneliness due to “social distancing.” Therefore, it is expected that social prescribing programs for the elderly in rural areas would become a new alternative for relieve mental disorder of the seniors.
Exploration of radiative heat energy on the peristaltic blood flow of a nanofluid in conjunction with a heat source
Authors: Mohanty S. , Mohanty B. , Mishra S. R.
Published: July 2021

The peristaltic flow of a conducting nanofluid associated with the Buongiorno model observed within a wavy channel is proposed in this article. In a peristaltic flow, the process of pumping takes place from a lower pressure to a high‐pressure region. It is treated as a vehicle through which the liquid passes in a channel due to its dynamic rush and expands in its length. Therefore, an analysis is carried out for the interaction of thermal radiation and heat source on the peristaltic flow of nanofluid past a tapered channel. The crux of this investigation is the interaction of Hall current due to the conjunction of conducting medium. An analytical technique is used to get the solution of the transformed governing equations, and furthermore, the pressure gradient is also evaluated. The flow phenomena characterized by certain parameters are obtained and presented via graphs. An important observation is seen in that the contribution of magnetic field and Hall current may favor the pumping process and the pressure gradient lowering in the conducting medium is one of the important characteristics.
Influence of Hall and Joule heating on a magnetic nanofluid (Fe3O4) flow on a rotating disk with generalized slip condition
Authors: Abbas Zaheer , Naveed Muhammad , Tabassum Rizwan , Ahmad Iftikhar
Published: July 2021

This study analyzes Hall current and Joule heating effects on the ferro‐nanofluid flow by the rotation of the disk incorporated with generalized slip condition. By using the well‐known Von Karman transformation, formulated flow equations are modeled into ordinary differential equations. Numerical solutions of the governing flow equations are attained by utilizing the shooting method consolidated with the fourth‐order Runge–Kutta scheme. The impacts of different parameters on skin friction coefficient, velocity, temperature, and Nusselt number are given in graphs and tables and investigated in detail. Furthermore, an association with formerly published articles is given and met in remarkable correspondence.