bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nanofiber‐based glaucoma drainage implant improves surgical outcomes by modulating fibroblast behavior
Authors: Josyula Aditya , Mozzer Ann , Szeto Julia , Ha Youlim , Richmond Nicole , Chung Seung Woo , Rompicharla Sri Vishnu Kiran , Narayan Janani , Ramesh Samiksha , Hanes Justin , Ensign Laura , Parikh Kunal , Pitha Ian
Published: January 2023

Biomaterials are implanted in millions of individuals worldwide each year. Both naturally derived and synthetic biomaterials induce a foreign body reaction that often culminates in fibrotic encapsulation and reduced functional lifespan. In ophthalmology, glaucoma drainage implants (GDIs) are implanted in the eye to reduce intraocular pressure (IOP) in order to prevent glaucoma progression and vision loss. Despite recent efforts towards miniaturization and surface chemistry modification, clinically available GDIs are susceptible to high rates of fibrosis and surgical failure. Here, we describe the development of synthetic, nanofiber‐based GDIs with partially degradable inner cores. We evaluated GDIs with nanofiber or smooth surfaces to investigate the effect of surface topography on implant performance. We observed in vitro that nanofiber surfaces supported fibroblast integration and quiescence, even in the presence of pro‐fibrotic signals, compared to smooth surfaces. In rabbit eyes, GDIs with a nanofiber architecture were biocompatible, prevented hypotony, and provided a volumetric aqueous outflow comparable to commercially available GDIs, though with significantly reduced fibrotic encapsulation and expression of key fibrotic markers in the surrounding tissue. We propose that the physical cues provided by the surface of the nanofiber‐based GDIs mimic healthy extracellular matrix structure, mitigating fibroblast activation and potentially extending functional GDI lifespan.
Click it, and increase hedonic consumption ratio: How does online shopping improve the long‐term subjective well‐being of consumers?
Authors: Wang Jiangzhe , Jia Xingping
Published: January 2023

In the past few decades, consumers across the globe have become heavily reliant on e‐commerce to purchase almost everything, from essential goods to hedonic goods. The prevalence of online shopping has significantly improved the consumption process and, by meeting consumers' needs, likely affects their long‐term subjective well‐being (SWB). Using individual‐level data from the 2018 China Family Panel Studies, this study shows that online shopping enhances the long‐term SWB of consumers by increasing their proportion of hedonic consumption. Consumer income can moderate the effect of online shopping on the long‐term SWB of consumers, such that high consumer income can weaken this effect. In addition, the effect of online shopping on long‐term SWB is stronger for rural consumers than for urban consumers. The authors close with a discussion of the implications of this study's findings for academics and policy makers.
Betting on a brand: How can trust game experiments inform a brand trust research agenda?
Authors: Van Riel Steve
Published: January 2023

For brands to succeed, they often need consumers to trust them. This has prompted marketing and consumer behaviour researchers to examine what makes certain brands more trusted and how brands can identify themselves as trustworthy. For over 25 years, experimental economists, behavioural scientists and others have examined interpersonal trust using an exercise—the trust game—where participants put money at risk based on how trustworthy they think other people are. This research has remained largely separate from work on brand trust, but this critical review aims to identify findings and concepts from trust game‐based research that are relevant to brand trust, and starts to develop an integrated research agenda for the future. In particular, it looks at how brand trust is measured, how brand trust might (or might not) be distinguished from transactional risk, and the heuristics and biases behind brand trust judgements and how these relate to brands' attempts to signal their trustworthiness.
The logo ‘visual thickness effect’: When and why it boosts brand personality
Authors: Eyni Ardalan , Thongpapanl Narongsak , Ashraf Abdul R. , Wang Kai‐Yu
Published: January 2023

Although the literature suggests that logos impart symbolic meanings via visual elements that influence consumers' early evaluation of brands, few such elements have been studied, with others (e.g., logo thickness) awaiting scholarly investigation. According to the literature, visual thickness seems to influence perception of power and consumers' consequent judgments. This research tests and theorises the influence of the logo visual thickness effect on consumer behaviour. Results of five studies employing more than 4000 MTurk participants and 20 fictitious logos suggest that thick logos boost perception of brand personality mediated by a pronounced perception of brand power. In addition, the logo‐thickness‐induced perception of brand power is negatively moderated by consumers' level of perceived power of the self. Further, the perception of brand power induced by logo thickness is moderated by consumers' level of visuospatial sketchpad, meaning that people with high (vs. low) visuospatial sketchpad can cancel out the extraneous influence of logo thickness while evaluating the underlying brand, once the stimulus magnitude hits the salience threshold. Theoretical and managerial implications are accordingly provided.
Is this a family business? Effectiveness of implementing family businesses branding strategies on a radio platform
Authors: Alonso‐Dos‐Santos Manuel , Llanos‐Contreras Orlando , Ibáñez‐Caamaño María José , Farias‐Nazel Pablo
Published: January 2023

Understanding how family firms can use their family image to their advantage in communication strategies is an opportunity for business continuity. This study identifies the effects of family hotels' corporate brand strategy through radio advertising on customer perceptions and attitudes using family image communication literature and radio advertising research. Online experiment using radio ads from these hotels and a survey of 1002 participants from Chile and Spain were conducted. The results suggest that strategies improving the firm's ability to communicate the family image results in better consumer response in terms of expectation, perceived quality, visit intention, and willingness to pay more. We conclude that radio ads are an effective channel for communicating family firm images. Managers can take advantage of monetizing the benefits of family firm images through radio ads.
Alpha‐Lipoic Acid Modulates the Oxidative and Inflammatory Responses Induced by Traditional and Novel Tobacco Products in Human Liver Epithelial Cells
Authors: Reis Rengin , Kolci Kübra , Bahcivan İrem , Coskun Goknil Pelin , Sipahi Hande
Published: January 2023

Smoking has been associated with NAFLD recently, thus might be a contributing factor for liver disease progression. In this study, we identified the modulative action of α‐lipoic acid (α‐LA), an organosulphur compound, towards heated tobacco product (HTP) and cigarette smoke extract (CSE)‐induced oxidative stress and inflammation in human liver HepG2 cells. The cells were pre‐treated with α‐LA and exposed to tobacco extracts, and cytotoxicity, oxidative response (SOD, CAT activities and GSH, MDA levels), inflammation (nitrite, IL‐6, AhR levels), and liver function (AST/ALT) were assessed. According to the results, a notable increase in oxidative response was observed with CSE, whereas GSH depletion and decreased SOD activity were the key toxicological events induced by HTP (p<0.05). The oxidative and inflammatory responses were ameliorated with α‐LA treatment, particularly through GSH restoration and IL‐6 modulation. To conclude, these findings on α‐LA might contribute to the design of novel adjuvant therapies for people exposed to tobacco smoke.
Rational Optimizations of the Marine‐Derived Peptide Sungsanpin as Novel Inhibitors of Cell Invasion
Authors: Li Anpeng , Zou Jihua , Zhuo Xiaobin , Chen Shuai , Chai Xiaoyun , Gai Conghao , Li Xiang , Zhao Qingjie , Zou Yan
Published: January 2023

Cancer metastasis, including cell invasion, is a major cause of poor clinical outcomes and death in numerous cancer patients. In recent years, many efforts have been made to develop potent therapeutic molecules from naturally derived peptides. Sungsanpin is a naturally derived lasso peptide that inhibits A549 cell invasion. We aimed to evaluate the potential of sungsanpin derivatives as candidates for anti‐invasion drugs. We synthesized an analog of sungsanpin (Sun A) using a solid‐phase peptide synthesis strategy (SPPS) and further modified its structure to improve its anti‐invasion activity. All peptides were tested for their proliferative inhibition and anti‐invasion activities in the A549 cell lines. Octapeptide S3 and cyclooctapeptide S4 upregulated the expression of TIMP‐1 and TIMP‐2 mRNA effectively and thus improved the inhibitory effect on the invasion of A549 cells. The two peptides can inhibit the invasion of A549 cells by up to 60 %, suggesting that they have potential as lead molecules for the development of peptide inhibitors.
Alpha terpineol directs bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells toward neuronal lineage through regulation of wnt signaling pathway
Authors: Ishaque Aisha , Salim Asmat , Simjee Shabana Usman , Khan Irfan , Adli Durriyyah Sharifah Hasan
Published: January 2023

Central nervous system anomalies give rise to neuropathological consequences with immense damage to the neuronal tissues. Cell based therapeutics have the potential to manage several neuropathologies whereby the differentiated cells are explored for neuronal regeneration. The current study analyzes the effect of a bioactive compound, alpha terpineol (AT) on the differentiation of rat bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM‐MSCs) toward neuronal lineage, and explores regulation of differentiation process through the study of Wnt pathway mediators. BM‐MSCs were cultured and characterized based on their surface markers and tri‐lineage differentiation. Safe dose of AT as optimized by 3‐(4,5‐Dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐Diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, was used for the treatment of MSCs. Treated cells were analyzed for the neuronal, astroglial and germ layer transition markers at the gene and protein levels, by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunocytochemistry, respectively. Temporal expression of Wnt pathway genes was assessed during the course of neuronal differentiation. AT treated group showed significant upregulation of neuron specific (NSE, MAP2, Tau, Nestin, and NefL) and astroglial (GFAP) genes with positive expression of late neuronal markers. Germ layer transition analysis showed the overexpression of ectodermal markers (NCAM, Nestin, and Pax6), whereas endodermal (AFP, MixL1, and Sox17), and mesodermal (Mesp1 and T Brachyury) markers were also found to be upregulated. Wnt signaling pathway was activated during the initial phase (30 min) of differentiation, which later was downregulated at 1, 3, and 5 h. AT efficiently induces neuronal differentiation of BM‐MSCs by regulating Wnt signaling. Overexpression of both early and late neuronal markers indicate their neuro‐progenitor state and thus can be utilized as a promising approach in cellular therapeutics to treat various neurodegenerative ailments. In addition, exploration of the molecular pathways may be helpful to understand the mechanism of cell‐based neuronal regeneration.
Effect of Promoters on the Catalytic Performance of Ni‐Based Catalysts for Dry Reforming of Methane
Authors: Li Guoqiang , Zhang Yunfei , Zhang Guojie , Sun Yinghui , Liu Jiwei
Published: January 2023

Different promoters have a significant impact on the catalyst performance. In this paper, the effects of different promoters on the physical properties and catalytic behavior of methane dry reforming catalysts were investigated. A series of characterizations showed that the Mg, Ba, and Ca promoters increased the basicity of the catalysts. However, their high concentration of OH− leads to the destruction of Ni3Si2O5(OH)4 species, which results in a decrease of catalytic performance. The addition of Ce significantly improves the catalyst stability. After 100 h of Ni‐5Ce‐MSC reaction, there was almost no carbon deposition, exhibiting high activity and resistance to carbon accumulation. These findings provide a new perspective for the design of nickel‐based dry reforming catalysts.
Corrosion behavior of embedded pad hook in glass fiber reinforced concrete
Authors: Özdal Volkan , Maraşli Muhammed , Gerengi Husnu , Dikmen Kader
Published: January 2023

Glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC) comprises of hydration products of cement or cement plus sand, and glass fibers which take part in the concrete as reinforcement characteristics. GFRC has been used for over 50 years in several construction elements, such as facade panels, decorative no recoverable formwork, and other products. However, various anchor elements and pad hooks are needed to attach large or small parts made of GFRC panels to the main structure of the buildings. The corrosion rate of embedded metal fasteners over time is related to the water impermeability properties of the GFRC elements. In this study, corrosion of an electro galvanized pad hook embedded in 10–20 mm of the GFRC panel was investigated as a result of the salt spray test performed in accordance with ASTM B 117 standards. At the end of the experiment, the embedded pad hook was taken from the GFRC and analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive spectroscopy methods. The results showed that the embedded pad hook in the GFRC, which was examined in the test procedures comply with the TS EN 12467 standards, was not corroded by 120‐h test carried out in accordance with ASTM B 117 standards.
Predictive control of SCR denitrification system in thermal power plants based on GA‐BP and PSO
Authors: Tang Minan , An Bo , Yan Yaguang , Zhang Yaqi , Wang Wenjuan
Published: January 2023

Aiming at the characteristics of strong non‐linearity and large inertia in the reaction process of a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) denitrification system, a predictive control algorithm based on a back propagation neural network optimized by genetic algorithm (GA‐BP) and particle swarm optimization (PSO) is proposed. First, the prediction model of a SCR denitrification system is established by GA‐BP. Second, output feedback and bias correction are used to reduce the prediction error. Third, the optimal inlet ammonia concentration is obtained by PSO. At the same time, in order to solve the problems of high dimension, large noise, and strong coupling in the original data of the SCR system in the process of establishing the prediction model, the least absolute shrinkage selection operator (LASSO) algorithm and the local outlier factor (LOF) detection algorithm are used to screen important variables and samples in the original data set of the SCR system to remove redundant variables and outliers. Finally, the simulation results show that the prediction model has good prediction accuracy and that the proposed predictive control method can achieve accurate control of ammonia injection concentration. This method improves the denitrification efficiency and reduces the NOx emission concentration, which can provide good guidance for on‐site production.
Three‐dimensional numerical modelling of a fast fluidized bed biomass gasifier to generate energy from wastes
Authors: Ozgoli Hassan Ali , Deilami Sara , Ghodrat Maryam , Safari Sadegh , Mirabi Mohammad Hossein , Olusegun Tomomewo Stanley
Published: January 2023

The modelling of a biomass fluidized bed gasification system, one of the most effective ways to produce energy from biomass resources and wastes, has been performed in this study. The effect of the turbulence phenomena, including calculations relating to flow turbulence, chemical fuel reactions, and energy and momentum exchange between multiple solid and gas phases, has been taken into account in the current research as a novel approach. A computational fluid dynamics case study model that combines equations with comprehensive geometry has been considered. Results have been compared with published operational records of an existing power plant to validate the model. The solid particle distribution, the velocity of the mixture and gas phase, the turbulent flow viscosity ratio, and the temperature distribution in the model indicated the accuracy of the simulation performance compared with the experimental studies. The production of the molar fraction of the constituent elements of the synthesis gas has been evaluated in transient conditions. Additionally, 35 s after the process began, the system's performance was estimated, and the results indicated the average molecular weights of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and methane are 26%, 23%, 12.5%, and 3.3%, respectively, which presented high precision with the experimental results.
Engineering cohesion and adhesion through dynamic bonds for advanced adhesive materials
Authors: Wan Yichen , Qiu Wenlian , Zhu He , Zhang Qi , Zhu Shiping
Published: January 2023

Adhesive materials have been widely used in almost every industrial domain. The art of the design principles of high‐performance adhesives lies in the regulation of adhesion and cohesion strengths. Compared with permanent covalent bonds, dynamic bonds, including dynamic covalent and noncovalent bonds, are vulnerable under mechanical stimuli but rebuildable, making them promising candidates to manipulate the internal and interfacial energy. In this review, we mainly discuss how dynamic bonds can be applied to adhesive materials to regulate adhesion and cohesion, simultaneously. Representative samples are rationally selected to elaborate on the engineering designs for improving the adhesive performance via incorporating dynamic bonds. We also offer a perspective on future research directions on the engineered construction of advanced adhesive materials.
Experimental study and modelling of an azo colourant dynamic adsorption onto functional cross‐linked chitosan/ceramic particles in a fixed bed column
Authors: Pérez‐Calderón John , Santos María Victoria , Zaritzky Noemí
Published: January 2023

The use of azo dyes in industrial activities generates a large volume of contaminated wastewater; these pollutants in water bodies affect aquatic biota and human health. A functional biocomposite sorbent material was synthesized using cross‐linked chitosan with oxalic acid that forms a coating on alumina ceramic particles (AOCh). The removal of Reactive Red 195, a reactive azo dye, using a fixed‐bed adsorption column filled with this material was tested. AOCh was physico‐chemically characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy–total attenuated reflection (FTIR‐ATR), scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersion spectrometry X‐ray (SEM‐EDS), X‐ray diffraction (XDR), thermo‐gravimetric analysis (TGA), and Z‐potential. The dynamic adsorption performance was analyzed from experimental breakthrough curves obtained in fixed‐bed columns by modifying different operating conditions (bed depth, volumetric flow rate, and dye inlet concentration). Equilibrium adsorption isotherms were determined under dynamic conditions and compared with batch results. The maximum adsorption capacity of the dynamic equilibrium isotherm obtained from the continuous assays was 331 mg/g; this value was the highest in comparison to other tested materials reported in the literature. Different dynamic adsorption models were applied to fit experimental data, including Thomas, Bohart–Admas, Yoon–Nelson, logistic general model, bed depth surface time (BDST), and modified dose response (Yan) models. A critical analysis of these equations was presented, showing the equivalences and the relationship among the coefficients. The Yan model achieved the highest level of agreement between the experimental and predicted values of the breakthrough curves. The use of this model enables scaling‐up the industrial process for dye removal. The present work proposed a novel biosorbent material and contributes to the analysis of industrial dye removal under dynamic conditions.
Assessment of stained direct cytology smears of breast cancer for whole transcriptome and targeted messenger RNA sequencing
Authors: Marczyk Michal , Fu Chunxiao , Lau Rosanna , Du Lili , Trevarton Alexander J. , Sinn Bruno V. , Gould Rebekah E. , Pusztai Lajos , Hatzis Christos , Symmans William Fraser
Published: January 2023

Background

Rather than surgical resection, cytologic specimens are often used as first‐line clinical diagnostic procedures due to higher safety, speed, and cost‐effectiveness. Archival diagnostic cytology slides containing cancer can be equivalent to tissue biopsies for DNA mutation testing, but the accuracy of transcriptomic profiling by RNA sequencing (RNA‐seq) is less understood.

Methods

This study compares the results from whole transcriptome RNA‐seq and a targeted RNA‐seq assay of stained cytology smears (CS) versus matched tumor tissue samples preserved fresh‐frozen (FF) and processed as formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded (FFPE) sections. Cellular cytology scrapes from all 11 breast cancers were fixed and stained using three common protocols: Carnoy's (CS_C) or 95% ethanol (CS_E) fixation and then Papanicolaou stain or air‐dried then methanol fixation and DiffQuik stain (CS_DQ). Agreement between samples was assessed using Lin's concordance correlation coefficient.

Results

Library yield for CS_DQ was too low, therefore it was not sequenced. The distributions of concordance correlation coefficient of gene expression levels in comparison to FF were comparable between CS_C and CS_E, but expression of genes enriched in stroma was lower in cytosmear samples than in FF or FFPE. Six signatures showed similar concordance to FF for all methods and two were slightly worse in CS_C and CS_E. Genomic signatures were highly concordant using targeted RNA‐seq. The allele fraction of selected mutations calculated on cytosmear specimens was highly correlated with FF tissues using both RNA‐seq methods.

Conclusion

RNA can be reliably extracted from cytology smears and is suitable for transcriptome profiling or mutation detection, except for signatures of tumor stroma.
Krill herd optimization algorithm with deep convolutional neural network fostered breast cancer classification using mammogram images
Authors: P Pratheep Kumar , V Mary Amala Bai , Krish Ram P.
Published: January 2023

In this paper proposes a Krill Herd Optimization algorithm with Deep Convolutional neural network fostered Breast Cancer Classification using Mammogram Images (BC‐APPDRC‐DCNN‐KHO). Here, the input images are taken from Real time and MAMMOSET datasets. These images are pre‐processed using Altered Phase Preserving Dynamic Range Compression (APPDRC) technique. This APPDRC is applied for preserving local features, compressing dynamic range of images, and enhancing the speckle noise filtering, these are all necessary for better boundary detection. Then, the Pre‐processed images are classified using Deep Convolutional neural network (DCNN). The DCNN weight parameters are optimized based on Krill Herd Optimization algorithm. The Proposed BCC‐DCNN‐KHO‐MI method classifies the input breast cancer imageries into 3 categories: benign, malignant, and normal. The proposed BCC‐DCNN‐KHO‐MI method in Real time dataset attains 18.505%, 19.45%, 16.19%, 17.56% and 16.19% higher accuracy; 15.38%, 12.06%, 12.71%, 26.62% and 18.902% higher Precision; 3.12%, 10.52%, 13.57%, 22.75% and 14.93% higher F‐score, 59.56%, 41.25%, 56.47%, 42.36% and 37.27% lower computation time; 23.87%, 21.87%, 32.87%, 42.76% and 21.05% higher AUC compared with the existing methods, like BCC‐Google Net‐MI, BCC‐Visual Geometry Group Network‐MI, BCC‐Residual Networks‐MI, BC‐RERNN‐LOA‐MI and BC‐CNN‐MI respectively.
Efficient thread‐to‐core mapping alternatives for application‐level redundant multithreading
Authors: Arslan Sanem , Ünsal Osman
Published: January 2023

Redundant multithreading (RMT) is an effective thread‐level replication method to improve the reliability requirements of applications. Although it significantly improves the robustness of applications, it comes with additional performance overhead since the redundant threads might share the same core resources. In our previous study [Efficient selective replication of critical code regions for SDC mitigation leveraging redundant multithreading.J Supercomput2021;77:14130‐14160], we presented an efficient software‐level RMT approach, where we execute the most critical code regions with three threads to correct errors. In this study, we focus on further improving the performance of our software‐level RMT method by presenting a set of different thread‐to‐core mapping alternatives. We provide different static mapping methods, which require preliminary information about the applications, such as execution time, instruction‐per‐cycle (IPC), or cache usage patterns, and a set of dynamic mapping methods, which map threads to cores dynamically at runtime without requiring any additional information. The dynamic mapping methods decide which threads are mapped to which cores at each scheduling point based on the IPC, cache miss rate, or cache access values of each thread as well as each core. Experimental results show that the dynamic mapping method, which maps threads to cores based on IPC values, outperforms all other static and dynamic methods. It also outperforms our baseline model, where the operating system handles the thread‐to‐core mappings by 8%, 7%, and 20% based on average speedup, harmonic speedup, and mean slowdown metrics.
High N‐H Photoacidity of a Nitrogen‐Rich Fused Ring Heteroaromatic Scaffold
Authors: Centore Roberto , D'Amato Assunta , Della Sala Giorgio , Di Donato Mariangela , Landi Alessandro , Manfredi Carla , Peluso Andrea
Published: January 2023

The Front Cover image shows the dynamics of photoinduced acetalization catalyzed by an unprecedented highly photoacidic triazolo–triazole derivative. Light as the trigger for this reaction is represented by the stars in the sky at night, as depicted in the image background (an image of the painting “The Starry Night” by Vincent van Gogh). Time‐resolved absorption spectroscopy revealed that the early steps of deprotonation give rise to a long‐living species, possibly a triplet state formed by fast intersystem crossing. Read the full text of the Research Article at 10.1002/cptc.202200215. Cover design by Alessandro Landi, Assunta D'Amato, and Andrea Peluso, Università di Salerno (Italy).
Selective Electrochemical Degradation of Lignosulfonate to Bio‐Based Aldehydes
Authors: Klein Jana , Waldvogel Siegfried R.
Published: January 2023

A sustainable electrochemical pathway for degradation and thermal treatment of technical lignosulfonate is presented. This approach is an opportunity to produce remarkable quantities of low molecular weight compounds, such as vanillin and acetovanillone. For the electrochemical degradation, a simple two‐electrode arrangement in aqueous media is used, which is also easily scalable. The oxidation of the biopolymer occurs at the anode whereas hydrogen is evolved at the cathode. The subsequent thermal treatment supports the degradation of the robust chemical structure of lignosulfonates. With optimized electrolytic conditions, vanillin could be obtained in 9.7 wt% relative to the dry mass of lignosulfonate used. Aside from vanillin, by‐products such as acetovanillone or vanillic acid were observed in lower yields. A new and reliable one‐pot, two‐step degradation of different technically relevant lignosulfonates is established with the advantages of using electrons as an oxidizing agent, which results in low quantities of reagent waste.
Single‐cell transcriptome analysis reveals functional changes in tumour‐infiltrating B lymphocytes after chemotherapy in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Nakamura Shoichi , Ohuchida Kenoki , Ohtsubo Yoshiki , Yamada Yutaka , Tsutsumi Chikanori , Okuda Sho , Hisano Kyoko , Mochida Yuki , Shinkawa Tomohiko , Iwamoto Chika , Torata Nobuhiro , Mizuuchi Yusuke , Shindo Koji , Nakata Kohei , Moriyama Taiki , Torisu Takehiro , Nagai Eishi , Morisaki Takashi , Kitazono Takanari , Oda Yoshinao , Nakamura Masafumi
Published: January 2023

Background

Tumour immune microenvironment is related with carcinogenesis and efficacy of immunotherapy. B cells play major roles in humoral immunity, but detailed functions of tumour‐infiltrating B lymphocytes (TIL‐Bs) are unknown. Therefore, our aim was to investigate the functional heterogeneity of TIL‐Bs in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and lymph nodes (LNs) during chemotherapy.

Methods

Single‐cell transcriptome analysis was performed on 23 specimens. We also performed immunohistochemical analysis of immunoglobulin κ C (IGKC), an antibody‐secreting cell (ASC) marker, in 166 ESCC samples and evaluated the implication of IGKC in 2‐year recurrence free survival (RFS) and 3‐year overall survival (OS).

Results

A total of 81,246 cells were grouped into 24 clusters. We extracted B cell clusters based on canonical markers and identified 12 TIL‐B subtypes in ESCC. We found that several functions, such as co‐stimulation and CD40 signalling, were enhanced in TIL‐Bs after chemotherapy. The proportion of naive B cells (NBCs) decreased and B cell activation genes were up‐regulated in NBCs after chemotherapy. The proportion of ASCs in tumours increased with the loss of migratory abilities and antibody production in ASCs was promoted after chemotherapy. Differentially expressed genes up‐regulated with chemotherapy in ASCs correlated with prolonged survival with oesophageal cancer (p = .028). In a metastatic LN, the ASC proportion increased and B cell differentiation was enhanced. In immunohistochemical analysis, RFS and OS of high IGKC expression cases were significantly better than those of low IGKC expression cases (RFS: p < .0001, OS: p < .0001). And in multivariable analysis, the expression of IGKC was an independent favourable prognostic factor for RFS (hazard ratio (HR): 0.23, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.12–0.45, p < .0001) and OS (HR: 0.20, 95% CI: 0.086–0.47, p = .0002) in ESCC.

Conclusions

Our findings provide novel insights for the heterogeneity of TIL‐Bs during chemotherapy and will be useful to understand the clinical importance of TIL‐Bs.
ASER analysis of generalized hexagonal QAM schemes for NOMA systems over Nakagami‐m fading channels
Authors: Bisen Shubham , Shaik Parvez , Jose Justin , Nebhen Jamel , Krejcar Ondrej , Bhatia Vimal
Published: January 2023

To achieve high data rates expected from beyond 5G communications, higher‐order modulation techniques have been explored. The energy‐efficient modulation technique with a high data rate has encouraged researches towards an optimum two‐dimensional hexagonal‐shaped constellation, namely, hexagonal quadrature amplitude modulation (HQAM). Thus, in this work, we analyze the average symbol error rate (ASER) of HQAM schemes by considering a two‐user nonorthogonal multiple access (NOMA) pair. Closed‐form expressions for ASER of HQAM schemes for users are derived over generalized Nakagami‐
fading channels. Further, for the HQAM constellation feasibility in two‐user downlink NOMA systems, the power allocation criterion for the users is presented. Furthermore, the impact of modulation order of the users over the systems ASER analysis is investigated and valuable insights are drawn.
Cyclic carbamates in medicine: A clinical perspective
Authors: Prasher Parteek , Mall Tanisqa , Sharma Mousmee
Published: January 2023

Carbamate group is mainly used for designing prodrugs to achieve first‐pass and systemic stability against enzyme hydrolysis as the carbamate functionality is recognized by esterase enzymes. As compared to the ester functionality, the carbamate group shows a lesser lability towards enzyme hydrolysis, but a higher susceptibility than amides. Cyclic carbamates present a unique motif in the contemporary drug discovery and development owing to the presence of a polar, and sterically small, constrained Hydrogen‐bonding acceptor atom. The metabolic stability of 5/6‐membered cyclic carbamates are higher as compared to their acyclic counterparts as the former do not undergo metabolic ring opening under physiological conditions. Besides, the metabolic lability of acyclic carbamates is determined by the degree of substitution at the endocyclic/exocyclic “N” atom, which further enables the design and development of various carbamate drugs or prodrugs. As such, the metabolic stability of carbamates follows the order: Cyclic carbamates > Alkyl‐OCO‐NH2 » Alkyl‐OCO‐NHAcyl ∼ Alkyl‐OCO‐NHAryl ≥ Aryl‐OCO‐N(endocyclic) ∼ Aryl‐OCO‐N(Alkyl)2 ≥ Alkyl‐OCO‐N(endocyclic) ≥ Alkyl‐OCO‐N(Alkyl)2 ∼ Alkyl‐OCO‐NHAlkyl » Aryl‐OCO‐NHAlkyl.
Development of mass spectrometry‐based methods for the detection of 11‐ketotestosterone and 11‐ketodihydrotestosterone
Authors: Piper Thomas , Thevis Mario
Published: January 2023

The anabolic properties of 11‐hydroxyandrostenedione (OHA4) and its physiologically active metabolites 11‐ketotestosterone (KT) and 11‐ketodihydrotestosterone (KDHT) have been discussed in several recent publications. Especially KT has become readily available via internet‐based providers. No doping control methods for the detection of KT or KDHT exist, neither on the initial testing procedure level nor as confirmatory assay. Probing for the misuse of adrenosterone, the prohormone of OHA4, has already been addressed, and the suggested marker for its misuse was mainly the urinary concentration of 11‐hydroxyandrosterone (OHA). In addition, for confirmation purposes, the carbon isotope ratios (CIR) were taken into consideration. The urinary concentration of OHA is highly variable, and the endogenous dilution after exogenous administration may therefore be considerable; hence, described approaches resulted in short detection times. In this study, the human metabolism of KT was investigated in order to provide additional means for the detection of KT and its prohormone OHA4. Two volunteers (one female and one male) orally administered 20 mg of KT each, and urine samples were collected for 5 days. Urinary concentrations of KT and its metabolites were investigated, and a reference population encompassing 220 male and female athletes was investigated in order to elucidate preliminary thresholds. As confirmation procedure, an isotope ratio mass spectrometry‐based method was developed in order to determine the CIR of KT and relevant metabolites. The developed methods enabled the detection of exogenous KT for more than 20 h after a single oral administration, which is comparable to a single oral testosterone administration.
Pollinator and host sharing lead to hybridization and introgression in Panamanian free‐standing figs, but not in their pollinator wasps
Authors: Satler Jordan D. , Herre Edward Allen , Heath Tracy A. , Machado Carlos A. , Gómez Zúñiga Adalberto , Jandér K. Charlotte , Eaton Deren A. R. , Nason John D.
Published: January 2023

Obligate pollination mutualisms, in which plant and pollinator lineages depend on each other for reproduction, often exhibit high levels of species specificity. However, cases in which two or more pollinator species share a single host species (host sharing), or two or more host species share a single pollinator species (pollinator sharing), are known to occur in current ecological time. Further, evidence for host switching in evolutionary time is increasingly being recognized in these systems. The degree to which departures from strict specificity differentially affect the potential for hybridization and introgression in the associated host or pollinator is unclear. We addressed this question using genome‐wide sequence data from five sympatric Panamanian free‐standing fig species (Ficus subgenus Pharmacosycea, section Pharmacosycea) and their six associated fig–pollinator wasp species (Tetrapus). Two of the five fig species, F. glabrata and F. maxima, were found to regularly share pollinators. In these species, ongoing hybridization was demonstrated by the detection of several first‐generation (F1) hybrid individuals, and historical introgression was indicated by phylogenetic network analysis. By contrast, although two of the pollinator species regularly share hosts, all six species were genetically distinct and deeply divergent, with no evidence for either hybridization or introgression. This pattern is consistent with results from other obligate pollination mutualisms, suggesting that, in contrast to their host plants, pollinators appear to be reproductively isolated, even when different species of pollinators mate in shared hosts.
Trends in the direction of global plant invasion biology research over the past two decades
Authors: Chiu Jing Hua , Chong Kwek Yan , Lum Shawn K. Y. , Wardle David A.
Published: January 2023

Invasive plants are a growing ecological problem worldwide, but biases and patterns within invasive plant research may affect our understanding of invasive plant ecology. In this study, we analyzed 458 invasive plant papers sampled from the two journals dedicated entirely to the field of invasion biology, i.e., Biological Invasions and Neobiota. From these papers, we collected information on geographic coverage, climate, habitat, taxonomic coverage, plant functional type, and research topic to examine trends across a 21‐year time period from 1999 to 2020. Our analysis found that invasive plant research was consistently biased toward temperate grassland and forest ecosystems particularly within the Americas, Europe, and Australia, and toward smaller, herbaceous invasive plant species (i.e., forbs, grasses, and shrubs), with an increase in interest in invasive nitrogen‐fixing legumes over time. Our analysis also identified “hot” research topics in invasive plant research at specific time periods, such as a peak in the use of genetic analysis methods in 2014–2015 and a more recent focus on plant physiological and functional traits. While current models, concepts, and understanding of plant invasion ecology are still driven by such biases, this has been partially offset by recent increased research in understudied systems, as well as increasing awareness that plant invasion is heavily affected by their growth types, physiological traits, and soil interactions. As the field of invasion biology becomes ever increasingly important over time, focusing invasive plant research on understudied ecosystems and plant groups will allow us to develop a more holistic understanding of the ecology of invasive plants. In particular, given the outsized importance of the tropics to global biodiversity, the threats they face, and the dearth of studies, it is of critical importance that more invasive plant research is conducted within the tropics to develop a more globally representative understanding of invasive plant ecology.
Macroinvertebrate diversity and ecosystem functioning across the eutrophication gradients of the middle and lower reaches of Yangtze River lakes (China)
Authors: Cai Yongjiu , Dong Rui , Kattel Giri , Zhang You , Peng Kai , Gong Zhijun
Published: January 2023

Biodiversity, which strengthens ecosystem stability, ecosystem function, and ecosystem services, is threatened by anthropogenic perturbation and climate change worldwide. However, despite the study of the role of biodiversity in multiple facets of freshwater ecosystems, the linkages between macroinvertebrates diversity and ecosystem functioning have not yet been well‐assessed in eutrophication gradients of lowland river‐floodplain systems. In this study, we have examined the relationship between macroinvertebrates diversity (species diversity, functional diversity, phylogenetic diversity) and macroinvertebrates biomass across the three typically featured eutrophication gradients: “MACROPHYTE,” “TRANSITION,” and “PHYTOPLANKTON,” of floodplain lakes in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River (China). Our results suggest that macroinvertebrates diversity in three different lacustrine conditions, biomass, and the relationship between diversity and biomass varied along eutrophication gradients. Functional richness and variance (divergence in taxon community) were the two important macroinvertebrate diversity indices, which accounted for the largest amount of variation in the biomass (63% in PHYTOPLANKTON lakes and 57% in MACROPHYTE lakes, respectively). We also found that the macrophyte coverage is more important than the relative abundance in maintaining the macroinvertebrates diversity and biomass in lowland Yangtze floodplain lake systems, while the relative abundance of macrophyte would change the BEF relationship. Our results demonstrate the functional performance of Yangtze River lakes, which would change with increased nutrient loading and decreased macrophyte coverage and would highlight the significance of the restoration of macrophytes to reduce nutrient loads.
The persistence and conversion of coastal foredune and swale vegetation community distributions 63 years later
Authors: Charbonneau Bianca R. , Swannack Todd M. , Piercy Candice D.
Published: January 2023

Vegetation shifts can directly alter habitat dynamics and indirectly impact habitat stability relative to disturbance response. Barrier island dune habitats exhibit spatiotemporally dynamic topography that is affected by vegetation. However, vegetation distribution data can be rare and vegetation persistence is largely unknown such that species turnover over in communities can occur unnoticed. This is true despite concerns and documented cases of woody encroachment related to climate change in these ecogeomorphic habitats where physical stability to resist storm erosion varies with vegetation distribution and density. In 1956 and 1957, the vegetation of Island Beach State Park, NJ, was mapped as a permanent record for subsequent ecological study. In June 2020, we remapped the vegetation of 5.4 of 17 km north to south, seaward of the thicket community boundary. We maintained the same classification system as the historic record, physically mapping vegetation patches via GPS. We quantified changes in thicket, heather, and grass community distribution between the two time periods. Habitat persistence and conversion varied in the 63 years. Heath communities saw 80%–97% habitat loss in conversion to woody thicket. Conversely, thicket community distribution drastically increased, replacing heath where it was previously prevalent. This represents the first known documented instances of woody encroachment for Morella pensylvanica. When they did not expand, thicket communities receded landward or underwent turnover to an invasive species. Woody species of interest for dune stabilization occupied areas of similar habitat characteristics. Dune vegetation distribution persistence from 1957 to 2020 was relatively consistent and stable with the exception of heath habitat conversion. Barrier island stability is directly related to vegetation stability such that understanding where community shifts might occur over time can aid in managing and modeling efforts surrounding these dynamic ecogeomorphic habitats.
Phase Transitions in Three New Hybrid Crystals: (Me3NR)4[Ni(NCS)6] (R=Ethyl, Propyl, and Butyl)
Authors: Liu De‐Xuan , Zhang Wei‐Xiong , Chen Xiao‐Ming
Published: January 2023

Understanding the microscopic origin of phase transitions in hybrid crystals is of significant important but challenging for designing novel phase‐transition materials. Here, three new hybrid crystals, (Me3NR)4[Ni(NCS)6] (R=ethyl for 1, propyl for 2, and butyl for 3) were synthesized and comprehensively studied on their crystal structures, intermolecular interactions, and phase transitions. They possess a same anti‐XeF4 structure mode but exhibit different phase transitions arising from their subtly changed alkyl groups. Specifically, 1 undergoes four‐step P21/c‐P21/c‐P21/c‐Pbca‐Cmce crystalline transitions at 165, 203, 244, and 280 K, respectively; 2 undergoes three‐step P212121‐Pbca‐P21/n‐P
1c crystalline transitions at 167, 393, and 410 K, respectively, following by a solid‐liquid transition at 453 K; 3 undergoes an iso‐space‐group P21/n‐P21/n crystalline phase transition at 257 K and a solid‐liquid transition at 410 K. These instances well demonstrate the key roles of delicate and complicated intermolecular interactions on inducing nontrivial phase transitions in hybrid crystals.
A dual‐scale system dynamics prediction method for post‐earthquake repair of urban building groups
Authors: Xu Zhen , Zhang Furong , Wu Yingying
Published: January 2023

The interaction between individual buildings and a city during the post‐earthquake repair process (e.g., the urban repair resource allocation for a building) has a significant influence on urban resilience. To consider such an interaction, a dual‐scale system dynamics prediction method for post‐earthquake repair of urban building groups is proposed, by which the detailed repair process of each individual building and the entire city can be systematically simulated. First, an urban priority for building repair is determined, and an algorithm for calculating the repair workload of individual buildings considering such an urban priority is developed for the following repair simulation of buildings. Next, a system dynamics model is established for simulating the repair process for individual buildings based on four types of resources, that is, workers, equipment, materials, and funds. Finally, a repair prediction model with a dual building‐to‐city scale is developed considering the resource allocation process of buildings. Two historical case studies were used to validate the accuracy of the system dynamics model for individual‐building repair. A case study on a small‐sized city was performed to reveal the influence patterns of different resource availability levels, repair modes, and structural systems on the repair process. The proposed method can predict in detail the post‐earthquake repair process with a dual building‐to‐city scale, supporting the decision‐making of city resilience.
Study on time–space characteristics of gas drainage in advanced self‐pressure‐relief area of the stope
Authors: Jie Xi , Zhaofeng Wang , Dongdong Chen , Jinsheng Chen
Published: January 2023

Gas drainage is an important measure to ensure energy safety in coal mines. However, for mines with high gas content and low permeability, the critical question is how to enhance the drainage effect of drilling. By using the self‐unloading pressure effect on the coal body in front of the mine, the permeability of the coal body can be improved, which facilitates gas drainage. Therefore, establishing the fluid–solid model of gas‐bearing coal mass under the influence of mining, this paper simulates the advanced self‐pressure‐relief range in front of the coal working face and the permeability of coal seam at different heights. Through simulations and field tests, the reasonableness of the advanced self‐pressure‐relief gas drainage was verified, and the spatial and temporal characteristics of the gas drainage from the borehole were quantified and analyzed. The results show that the width of the advanced self‐pressure‐relief zone after simulated mining is 25 m, the vertical permeability of the coal seam increases first and then decreases with the increase of the height from the floor, and the maximum permeability of the layer is 2.6 m from the floor, which is 8.62 times higher than the initial permeability; the gas drainage effect of test boreholes has a periodic law with the coal seam recovery, which, divided into the initial drainage stage, the scalar volume of gas drainage increase stage, and the scalar volume of gas drainage decay stage. At a distance from the working face 20–40 m, the boreholes' scalar volume of gas drainage increased by 3.89 times compared with the initial drainage stage, and the scalar drainage volume of the boreholes through the seam increased by 8.01 times compared with the initial drainage stage; in the section of increasing scalar volume of drainage, the gas drainage volume of the boreholes at different heights of the coal seam had obvious “stratification” phenomenon. The test boreholes were optimally placed in the middle of the seam at the lower end. The study provides a reference for self‐pressure‐relief gas drainage technology and optimization of borehole placement.