bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Time Response Analysis of Caissons by Installing New Caisson on Existing Caisson Breakwater in Irregular Wave Condition
Authors: Park Min Su , Kim Young Taek , Park Sangki , Min Jiyoung
Published: December 2022

The design and the construction were carried out by installing new caissons on the back or the front of existing caissons to increase the structural stability of caisson breakwaters. In this study, we used the ANSYS AQWA program to analyze the wave forces acting on individual caissons according to the effects of wave-structure interaction when new caissons were additionally installed on existing caisson breakwaters. The wave force characteristics acting on the individual caisson were analyzed according to the distance among caissons in frequency domain analysis. In addition, the dynamic wave force characteristics were closely examined on the basis of the frequency at which the unusual distribution of wave forces occurs in irregular wave conditions using time domain analysis.
A Study on the Application of Low Crest Structures to Reduce Wave Overtopping
Authors: Shim Kyu-Tae , Kim Kyu-Han , Cha Ki-Seock
Published: December 2022

In this study, it was examined for the reduction of wave overtopping and water level fluctuation in front of the revetment when applying a reinforcement method to revetment where wave overtopping occurs. As a result of the study, in the case of the cross-sectional experiment. more than 70% of the wave overtopping reduction effect depending on the reinforcement conditions was occurred, and it was analyzed that the result increases by about four times or more in the comparison with the 3d test. The average water level in front of the revetment was lowered when a low crest structure was not installed. and there was a tendency to rise under the condition of low crest structures installed. In the comparison with the wave basin test, there was a difference of about 0.5 to 0.6 times when a low crest structure was not installed, and it was increased by 5.5 times after low crest structures were installed.
Estimation of the Input Wave Height of the Wave Generator for Regular Waves by Using Artificial Neural Networks and Gaussian Process Regression
Authors: Oh Jung-Eun , Oh Sang-Ho
Published: December 2022

The experimental data obtained in a wave flume were analyzed using machine learning techniques to establish a model that predicts the input wave height of the wavemaker based on the waves that have experienced wave shoaling and to verify the performance of the established model. For this purpose, artificial neural network (NN), the most representative machine learning technique, and Gaussian process regression (GPR), one of the non-parametric regression analysis methods, were applied respectively. Then, the predictive performance of the two models was compared. The analysis was performed independently for the case of using all the data at once and for the case by classifying the data with a criterion related to the occurrence of wave breaking. When the data were not classified, the error between the input wave height at the wavemaker and the measured value was relatively large for both the NN and GPR models. On the other hand, if the data were divided into non-breaking and breaking conditions, the accuracy of predicting the input wave height was greatly improved. Among the two models, the overall performance of the GPR model was better than that of the NN model.
On the Rise, Candida auris Outwits Treatments and Travels Incognito in Health Care Settings
Authors: Rubin Rita
Published: December 2022

This Medical News feature examines the relatively newly identified fungus Candida auris, a hardy species that can resist treatment with antifungal agents, is highly contagious, and is associated with serious infections and significant mortality.
Changes in State-Level Cigarette Sales During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Asare Samuel , Xue Zheng , Majmundar Anuja , Bandi Priti , Nargis Nigar
Published: December 2022

This cohort study estimates state-level changes in cigarette sales in the US during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Assessment of Mental Health Services Available Through Smartphone Apps
Authors: Camacho Erica , Cohen Asher , Torous John
Published: December 2022

Importance

As more patients and clinicians are turning to mental health smartphone apps to expand access to services, little is known about the current state of the app marketplaces and what these apps are actually offering in terms of features, privacy, price, and services.

Objective

To assess the current state of mental health apps, explore the association between app privacy scores and popularity as measured by star ratings and downloads, and to understand opportunities and challenges facing the commercial app landscape.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cross-sectional study had trained raters using the public-facing M-Health Index and Navigation Database (MIND) to assess and review 578 mental health apps. The sample of apps used in this analysis were pulled from MIND and include apps across various conditions including schizophrenia, eating disorders, sleep, and more. Analysis of these apps was conducted in June 2022.

Exposures

There were 578 mental health apps rated across 105 dimensions derived from the American Psychiatric Association’s app evaluation framework.

Main Outcomes and Measures

App raters assessed each app across 6 categories: (1) app origin and accessibility, (2) privacy and security, (3) clinical foundation, (4) features and engagement, (5) inputs and outputs, and (6) interoperability. Privacy scores were determined by 5 MIND criteria, including (1) having a privacy policy, (2) reporting security measures in place, (3) declaring data use and purpose, (4) allowing for the deletion of data, and (5) allowing users to opt out of data collection. Correlations between privacy scores and popularity metrics (star ratings and number of downloads) were measured.

Results

This study included 578 mental health apps that were identified, assessed, and analyzed across 105 MIND dimensions. Psychoeducation, goal setting, and mindfulness were among the top app features. Of the 578 apps analyzed, 443 (77%) had a privacy policy. This analysis of apps with a privacy policy revealed that there was no statistically significant correlation between privacy scores and Apple App Store (r = 0.058, P = .29) or Google Play Store star ratings (r = 0.041; P = .48). The number of app downloads on the Google Play Store, however, was weakly correlated with privacy scores (χ25 = 22.1; P < .001).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cross-sectional study of mental health apps, findings indicate that the current app marketplaces primarily offered basic features such as psychoeducation, goal tracking, and mindfulness but fewer innovative features such as biofeedback or specialized therapies. Privacy challenges remained common, and app popularity metrics provided little help in identifying apps with more privacy.
Socioeconomic and Geographic Disparities in the Referral and Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer at High-Volume Centers
Authors: Sutton Thomas L. , Beneville Blake , Johnson Alicia J. , Mayo Skye C. , Gilbert Erin W. , Lopez Charles D. , Grossberg Aaron J. , Rocha Flavio G. , Sheppard Brett C.
Published: December 2022

Importance

Treatment at high-volume centers (HVCs) has been associated with improved overall survival (OS) in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC); however, it is unclear how patterns of referral affect these findings.

Objective

To understand the relative contributions of treatment site and selection bias in driving differences in outcomes in patients with PDAC and to characterize socioeconomic factors associated with referral to HVCs.

Design, Setting, Participants

A population-based retrospective review of the Oregon State Cancer Registry was performed from 1997 to 2019 with a median 4.3 months of follow-up. Study participants were all patients diagnosed with PDAC in Oregon from 1997 to 2018 (n = 8026).

Exposures

The primary exposures studied were diagnosis and treatment at HVCs (20 or more pancreatectomies for PDAC per year), low-volume centers ([LVCs] less than 20 per year), or both.

Main Outcomes and Measures

OS and treatment patterns (eg, receipt of chemotherapy and primary site surgery) were evaluated with Kaplan-Meier analysis and logistic regression, respectively.

Results

Eight thousand twenty-six patients (male, 4142 [52%]; mean age, 71 years) were identified (n = 3419 locoregional, n = 4607 metastatic). Patients receiving first-course treatment at a combination of HVCs and LVCs demonstrated improved median OS for locoregional and metastatic disease (16.6 [95% CI, 15.3-17.9] and 6.1 [95% CI, 4.9-7.3] months, respectively) vs patients receiving HVC only (11.5 [95% CI, 10.7-12.3] and 3.9 [95% CI, 3.5-4.3] months, respectively) or LVC-only treatment (8.2 [95% CI, 7.7-8.7] and 2.1 [95% CI, 1.9-2.3] months, respectively; all P < .001). No differences existed in disease burden by volume status of diagnosing institution. When stratifying by site of diagnosis, HVC-associated improvements in median OS were smaller (locoregional: 10.4 [95% CI, 9.5-11.2] vs 9.9 [95% CI, 9.4-10.4] months; P = .03; metastatic: 3.6 vs 2.7 months, P < .001) than when stratifying by the volume status of treating centers, indicating selection bias during referral. A total of 94% (n = 1103) of patients diagnosed at an HVC received HVC treatment vs 18% (n = 985) of LVC diagnoses. Among patients diagnosed at LVCs, later year of diagnosis and higher estimated income were independently associated with higher odds of subsequent HVC treatment, while older age, metastatic disease, and farther distance from HVC were independently associated with lower odds.

Conclusions and Relevance

LVC-to-HVC referrals for PDAC experienced improved OS vs HVC- or LVC-only care. While disease-related features prompting referral may partially account for this finding, socioeconomic and geographic disparities in referral worsen OS for disadvantaged patients. Measures to improve access to HVCs are encouraged.
A comprehensive analysis of sit‐to‐stand movement in a living space involving principal component analysis
Authors: Haraguchi Naohiro , Ogawa Ami , Mita Akira
Published: December 2022

Sit‐to‐stand (STS) movement is a frequently performed activity of daily living. The analysis of STS movement can lead to the early detection of a decline in physical functioning. There is thus interest in home‐based STS monitoring systems. The present study (1) extracted universal differences by age group in common STS movements of daily life and (2) clarified where the differences between age groups lie in the sequence of movements. We experimented to measure the three patterns of STS movement assumed to be performed in living spaces. Ten young adults and seventeen elderly people participated. Data were acquired by an Azure Kinect DK, an RGB‐D camera, and converted into angles and angular velocities of the major body segments. Principal component analysis was applied to the overall time series data. From the synthesized principal component space, principal components with significant differences between the elderly and young‐adult groups were extracted, and the movements of the elderly participants were evaluated. We found parameters and movement strategies that show the characteristics of each age group for each movement pattern. The results of this study can contribute to the design of home‐based STS monitoring systems.
Tetrahymena
Authors: Cole Eric S
Published: December 2022

TheTetrahymenagenus is composed of mostly free‐living ciliated protozoa that have helped researchers gain insight into fundamental problems of cell biology. As all ciliates,Tetrahymenacontain separate germline and somatic nuclei known as the micronucleus and macronucleus, respectively. The macronucleus is derived from a copy of the micronucleus through a process that involves extensive whole‐genome rearrangement and that is under intensive study.Tetrahymena thermophilacan be readily manipulated using the tools of genetics, molecular biology, cell biology and biochemistry. Recently, next‐generation, whole‐genome sequencing has made possible the identification of previously unidentified genes responsible for a rich gallery of mutant phenotypes. Notable discoveries made usingTetrahymenainclude the structure of telomeres and telomerase, self‐splicing RNA, the first microtubular motor, and the link between histone acetylation and gene regulation. The approximately 104 Megabase macronuclear genome ofT. thermophilahas been sequenced and annotated; the micronuclear genome has been sequenced as well.

Key Concepts

Tetrahymenaare large, complex eukaryotic cells well‐suited both for university research and for the undergraduate teaching‐laboratory.

Tetrahymena,have been studied for nearly a century and have been the source of numerous ground‐breaking discoveries.

Applying modern tools of genomics, proteomics, and next‐generation, whole‐genome sequencing has ushered in a new era of research to such topics as the assembly of basal bodies and cilia, pattern formation, novel roles for smallribonucleic acids(RNAs), membrane trafficking, secretion, phagocytosis, pinocytosis, cytoskeletal motility and chromosome dynamics including studies on the origins ofdeoxyribonucleic acid(DNA) replication, telomere synthesis, meiosis, recombination, apoptosis and the regulation of gene expression through epigenetic chromatin marking.

Tetrahymenaoffer special insights into cell biological processes due to their many original and extraordinary capabilities including the use of a unique genetic code, novel twists on metabolism and protein trafficking, self‐splicing RNA, programmed genome rearrangement involved in genome surveillance, cortical patterning and cellular regeneration.

Tetrahymena exhibit both conserved and evolutionarily divergent solutions to fundamental cell biological problems.
Feasibility study of deep learning‐based markerless real‐time lung tumor tracking with orthogonal X‐ray projection images
Authors: Zhou Dejun , Nakamura Mitsuhiro , Mukumoto Nobutaka , Matsuo Yukinori , Mizowaki Takashi
Published: December 2022

Purpose

The feasibility of a deep learning‐based markerless real‐time tumor tracking (RTTT) method was retrospectively studied with orthogonal kV X‐ray images and clinical tracking records acquired during lung cancer treatment.

Methods

Ten patients with lung cancer treated with marker‐implanted RTTT were included. The prescription dose was 50 Gy in four fractions, using seven‐ to nine‐port non‐coplanar static beams. This corresponds to 14–18 X‐ray tube angles for an orthogonal X‐ray imaging system rotating with the gantry. All patients underwent 10 respiratory phases four‐dimensional computed tomography. After a data augmentation approach, for each X‐ray tube angle of a patient, 2250 digitally reconstructed radiograph (DRR) images with gross tumor volume (GTV) contour labeled were obtained. These images were adopted to train the patient and X‐ray tube angle‐specific GTV contour prediction model. During the testing, the model trained with DRR images predicted GTV contour on X‐ray projection images acquired during treatment. The predicted three‐dimensional (3D) positions of the GTV were calculated based on the centroids of the contours in the orthogonal images. The 3D positions of GTV determined by the marker‐implanted RTTT during the treatment were considered as the ground truth. The 3D deviations between the prediction and the ground truth were calculated to evaluate the performance of the model.

Results

The median GTV volume and motion range were 7.42 (range, 1.18–25.74) cm3 and 22 (range, 11–28) mm, respectively. In total, 8993 3D position comparisons were included. The mean calculation time was 85 ms per image. The overall median value of the 3D deviation was 2.27 (interquartile range: 1.66–2.95) mm. The probability of the 3D deviation smaller than 5 mm was 93.6%.

Conclusions

The evaluation results and calculation efficiency show the proposed deep learning‐based markerless RTTT method may be feasible for patients with lung cancer.
Event‐triggered asynchronous filtering for networked fuzzy non‐homogeneous Markov jump systems with dynamic quantization
Authors: Zhu Jin , Xie Zhi , Zhao Yun‐Bo , Dullerud Geir E.
Published: December 2022

The asynchronous filtering problem for networked fuzzy non‐homogeneous Markov jump systems is investigated, with the consideration of packet dropout and quantization. An event‐triggered dynamic quantization scheme is proposed, and a stability criterion is given to ensure the stochastic stability of the filtering error systems with desired extended dissipative performance. This performance provides a unified framework in the sense that it can degenerate to , , dissipativity and passivity filter, respectively, under certain parameter sets. Furthermore, an asynchronous filter design method with extended dissipative performance is given based on the proposed stability criterion. In this method, the existence of the quantizer is ensured by dynamic quantization levels and the solution scope of the filter is enlarged by a free‐connection weighting matrices method. The theoretical design and analysis is finally evaluated using a practical example.
Recent Progress of Flexible Photodetectors Based on Low‐Dimensional II–VI Semiconductors and Their Application in Wearable Electronics
Authors: Peng Mingfa , Wen Zhen , Sun Xuhui
Published: December 2022

Flexible photodetectors exhibit many advantages such as a good bendability, foldability, and even stretchability as well as weight light, which have triggered a widely concerned in wearable electronics including wearable monitoring, wearable image sensing, self‐powered integrated electronics, etc. Recently, various II–VI semiconductor nanostructures have become promising candidates in flexible photodetectors due to their unique characteristics, such as direct bandgap semiconductors, excellent optical and electric properties, high quantum efficiency, and inherent mechanical flexibility. Herein, the most recent progress on low‐dimensional (0D, 1D, 2D, and related heterostructures) II–VI semiconductors based flexible photodetectors and their application in wearable electronic is reviewed. First, a brief introduction of the main sensing mechanisms and key figures of merits for photodetectors is presented. Then, the recent progresses on flexible photodetectors are provided, in which the functional materials synthesis methods are also discussed. More importantly, the applications of the flexible photodetectors are summarized, including wearable monitoring sensors, image sensors, and self‐powered integrated wearable electronics. Finally, the challenges and the future research direction of the flexible photodetectors are discussed, meanwhile the outlook for the development of flexible photodetectors in the future integration of wearable electronic is also provided.
A Review on the Status and Challenges of Cathodes in Room‐Temperature Na‐S Batteries
Authors: Lei Yao‐Jie , Liu Han‐Wen , Yang Zhuo , Zhao Ling‐Fei , Lai Wei‐Hong , Chen Mingzhe , Liu Huakun , Dou Shixue , Wang Yun‐Xiao
Published: December 2022

The cathode materials for sodium‐sulfur batteries have attracted great attention since cathode is one of the important components of the sodium‐sulfur battery, and there are cathode materials that have high capacity, non‐toxicity, and cost‐efficiency. Nevertheless, due to their low Coulombic efficiency and proneness to cycling decay, the practical application of the sodium–sulfur battery has always been suppressed. In terms of the responsibility of these problems, the polysulfide shuttle and the sluggish kinetics are the main culprits. To address these issues, impeding the notorious reaction between polysulfide intermediates on the cathode and improve the kinetics reaction on the anode are extremely important. Herein, a comprehensive review is prepared of different approaches to increasing the electrochemical performance and strengthening the stability of cathodes. The influences of various choices and the consequent properties of the cathode in relation to the whole sodium–sulfur battery performance is investigated. Finally, the current research challenges related to cathodes for sodium–sulfur batteries and future perspectives are also discussed.
Orally Administrable Aggregation‐Induced Emission‐Based Bionic Probe for Imaging and Ameliorating Dextran Sulfate Sodium‐Induced Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Authors: Wang Wenyuan , Wu Ya , Wang Yihui , Wang Rui , Deng Cheng , Yi Luyang , Wang Lufang , He Mengrong , Zhou Wuqi , Xie Yuji , Jin Qiaofeng , Chen Yihan , Gao Tang , Zhang Li , Xie Mingxing
Published: December 2022

As macrophage infiltration is significantly related to the progression of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), monitoring the macrophages is a valuable strategy for IBD diagnosis. However, owing to the harsh physiological environment of the gastrointestinal tract and enzymatic degradation, the development of orally administrable imaging probes for tracking macrophages remains a considerable challenge. Accordingly, herein, an orally administrable aggregation‐induced emission biomimetic probe (HBTTPIP/β‐glucan particles [GPs]) is developed for tracing macrophages; HBTTPIP/GPs can diagnose and alleviate dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)‐induced colonic inflammation and self‐report the treatment efficiency. The fluorophore HBTTPIP can effectively aggregate in GPs, restricting intramolecular rotation and activating the fluorescence of HBTTPIP. After being orally administrated, HBTTPIP/GPs are phagocytosed by intestinal macrophages, which then migrate to colonic lesions, enabling non‐invasive monitoring of the severity of IBD via in vivo fluorescence imaging. Notably, oral HBTTPIP/GPs ameliorate DSS‐induced IBD by inhibiting the expressions of pro‐inflammatory factors and improving colonic mucosal barrier function. Furthermore, these HBTTPIP/GPs realize self‐feedback of the therapeutic effects of GPs on DSS‐induced colitis. The oral biomimetic probe HBTTPIP/GPs reported herein provide a novel theranostic platform for IBD, integrating non‐invasive diagnosis of IBD in situ and the corresponding treatment.
Low‐Coordination Trimetallic PtFeCo Nanosaws for Practical Fuel Cells
Authors: Bu Lingzheng , Liang Jiashun , Ning Fandi , Huang Ju , Huang Bolong , Sun Mingzi , Zhan Changhong , Ma Yanhang , Zhou Xiaochun , Li Qing , Huang Xiaoqing
Published: December 2022

Developing high‐performance catalysts for fuel cell catalysis is the most critical and challenging step for the commercialization of fuel cell technology. Here 1D trimetallic platinum–iron–cobalt nanosaws (Pt3FeCo NSs) with low‐coordination features are designed as efficient bifunctional electrocatalysts for practical fuel cell catalysis. The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity of Pt3FeCo NSs (10.62 mA cm−2 and 4.66 A mg−1Pt at 0.90 V) is more than 25‐folds higher than that of the commercial Pt/C, even after 30 000 voltage cycles. Density functional theory calculations reveal that the strong inter‐d‐orbital electron transfer minimizes the ORR barrier with higher selectivity at robust valence states. The volcano correlation between the intrinsic structure featured with low‐coordination Pt‐sites and corresponding electronic activities is discovered, which guarantees high ORR activities. The Pt3FeCo NSs located in the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) also achieve very high peak power density (1800.6 mW cm−2) and competitive specific/mass activities (1.79 mA cm−2 and 0.79 A mg−1Pt at 0.90 ViR‐free cell voltage) as well as a long‐term lifetime in specific H2O2 medium for proton‐exchange‐membrane fuel cells, ranking top electrocatalysts reported to date for MEA. This work represents a class of multimetallic Pt‐based nanocatalysts for practical fuel cells and beyond.
Carbon‐Hybridized Hydroxides for Energy Conversion and Storage: Interface Chemistry and Manufacturing
Authors: Xie Yuanyang , Yu Chang , Ni Lin , Yu Jinhe , Zhang Yafang , Qiu Jieshan
Published: December 2022

Carbon‐hybridized hydroxides (CHHs) have been intensively investigated for uses in the energy conversion/storage fields. Nevertheless, the intrinsic structure–activity relationships between carbon and hydroxides within CHHs are still blurry, which hinders the fine modulation of CHHs in terms of practical applications to some degree. This review aims to figure out the intrinsic role of carbon materials in CHHs with a focus on the interface chemistry and the engineering strategy in‐between two components. The fundamental effects of the carbon materials in enhancing the charge/mass transfer kinetics are first analyzed, particularly the extra electron pathways for fast charge transfer and the anchoring sites for boosting the mass transfer. Subsequently, the surface‐guided/confined effects of carbon materials in CHHs to modify the morphology and tailor the hydroxides, and functional heterojunction for regulating the inner electronic structure are decoupled. The methods to efficiently construct a stable yet robust solid–solid heterointerface are summarized, including oxygen functional groups engrafting, topological defective sites construction and heteroatom incorporation to activate the inert carbon surface. The smart CHHs in some typical energy applications are demonstrated. Additionally, the methodologies that can reveal the hybridization electron configuration between two components are summed up. At last, the perspective and challenges faced by the CHHs for energy‐related applications are outlined.
Honeycomb‐Layered Oxides With Silver Atom Bilayers and Emergence of Non‐Abelian SU(2) Interactions
Authors: Masese Titus , Kanyolo Godwill Mbiti , Miyazaki Yoshinobu , Ito Miyu , Taguchi Noboru , Rizell Josef , Tachibana Shintaro , Tada Kohei , Huang Zhen‐Dong , Alshehabi Abbas , Ubukata Hiroki , Kubota Keigo , Yoshii Kazuki , Senoh Hiroshi , Tassel Cédric , Orikasa Yuki , Kageyama Hiroshi , Saito Tomohiro
Published: December 2022

Honeycomb‐layered oxides with monovalent or divalent, monolayered cationic lattices generally exhibit myriad crystalline features encompassing rich electrochemistry, geometries, and disorders, which particularly places them as attractive material candidates for next‐generation energy storage applications. Herein, global honeycomb‐layered oxide compositions, Ag2M2TeO6 (.) exhibiting atom bilayers with sub‐valent states within Ag‐rich crystalline domains of Ag6M2TeO6 and ‐deficient domains of (). The ‐rich material characterized by aberration‐corrected transmission electron microscopy reveals local atomic structural disorders characterized by aperiodic stacking and incoherency in the bilayer arrangement of atoms. Meanwhile, the global material not only displays high ionic conductivity but also manifests oxygen‐hole electrochemistry during silver‐ion extraction. Within the ‐rich domains, the bilayered structure, argentophilic interactions therein and the expected sub‐valent states (, etc.) are theoretically understood via spontaneous symmetry breaking of SU(2)× U(1) gauge symmetry interactions amongst 3 degenerate mass‐less chiral fermion states, justified by electron occupancy of silver and 5s orbitals on a bifurcated honeycomb lattice. This implies that bilayered frameworks have research applications that go beyond the confines of energy storage.
Srinivaspura Aging, Neuro Senescence and COGnition (SANSCOG) study: Study protocol
Authors: Ravindranath Vijayalakshmi ,   SANSCOG Study Team
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Prospective, population‐based, aging, and cognition studies are an important approach to understand normal and pathological aging processes.

Methods

This is a longitudinal, community‐based cohort study (n = 10,000) in rural India, with long‐term follow‐up for comprehensive evaluation of risk and protective factors associated with cognitive changes during aging. All participants will undergo comprehensive clinical, neurocognitive, and biochemical assessments. Genotyping using genome‐wide association studies will be done for all participants. Whole genome sequencing and brain imaging (magnetic resonance imaging) will be done in a subset.

Results

This study will generate a rich database of clinical, neurocognitive, biochemical, neuroimaging, and genetic data that can help identify risk and protective factors for dementia and other related disorders.

Discussion

This longitudinal study is first of its kind, involving comprehensive evaluations, spanning phenotype to genotype, in a rural Indian cohort, and has major public health implications.
Plasma glial fibrillary acidic protein in autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease: Associations with Aβ‐PET, neurodegeneration, and cognition
Authors: Chatterjee Pratishtha , Vermunt Lisa , Gordon Brian A. , Pedrini Steve , Boonkamp Lynn , Armstrong Nicola J. , Xiong Chengjie , Singh Abhay K. , Li Yan , Sohrabi Hamid R. , Taddei Kevin , Molloy Mark , Benzinger Tammie L. S. , Morris John C. , Karch Celeste , Berman Sarah , Chhatwal Jasmeer , Cruchaga Carlos , Graff‐Radford Neill R. , Day Gregory S , Farlow Martin , Fox Nick , Goate Alison , Hassenstab Jason , Lee Jae‐Hong , Levin Johannes , McDade Eric , Mori Hiroshi , Perrin Richard , Sanchez‐Valle Raquel , Schofield Peter R. , Levey Allan , Jucker Mathias , Masters Colin L. , Fagan Anne M. , Bateman Randall J. , Martins Ralph N. , Teunissen Charlotte ,   and the Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network
Published: December 2022

Background

Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is a promising candidate blood‐based biomarker for Alzheimer's disease (AD) diagnosis and prognostication. The timing of its disease‐associated changes, its clinical correlates, and biofluid‐type dependency will influence its clinical utility.

Methods

We evaluated plasma, serum, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) GFAP in families with autosomal dominant AD (ADAD), leveraging the predictable age at symptom onset to determine changes by stage of disease.

Results

Plasma GFAP elevations appear a decade before expected symptom onset, after amyloid beta (Aβ) accumulation and prior to neurodegeneration and cognitive decline. Plasma GFAP distinguished Aβ‐positive from Aβ‐negative ADAD participants and showed a stronger relationship with Aβ load in asymptomatic than symptomatic ADAD. Higher plasma GFAP was associated with the degree and rate of neurodegeneration and cognitive impairment. Serum GFAP showed similar relationships, but these were less pronounced for CSF GFAP.

Conclusion

Our findings support a role for plasma GFAP as a clinical biomarker of Aβ‐related astrocyte reactivity that is associated with cognitive decline and neurodegeneration.

Highlights

Plasma glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) elevations appear a decade before expected symptom onset in autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease (ADAD).

Plasma GFAP was associated to amyloid positivity in asymptomatic ADAD.

Plasma GFAP increased with clinical severity and predicted disease progression.

Plasma and serum GFAP carried similar information in ADAD, while cerebrospinal fluid GFAP did not.
TRIM25 mutation (p.C168*), coding for an E3 ubiquitin ligase, is a cause of early‐onset autosomal dominant dementia with amyloid load and parkinsonism
Authors: Gómez‐Tortosa Estrella , Baradaran‐Heravi Yalda , Dillen Lubina , Choudhury Nila Roy , Agüero Rabes Pablo , Pérez‐Pérez Julián , Kocoglu Cemile , Sainz M. José , Ruiz González Alicia , Téllez Raquel , Cremades‐Jimeno Lucía , Cárdaba Blanca ,   EU EOD Consortium, Van Broeckhoven Christine , Michlewski Gracjan , van der Zee Julie
Published: December 2022

INTRODUCTION

Patients with familial early‐onset dementia (EOD) pose a unique opportunity for gene identification studies.

METHODS

We present the phenotype and whole‐exome sequencing (WES) study of an autosomal dominant EOD family. Candidate genes were examined in a set of dementia cases and controls (n = 3712). Western blotting was conducted of the wild‐type and mutant protein of the final candidate.

RESULTS

Age at disease onset was 60 years (range 56 to 63). The phenotype comprised mixed amnestic and behavioral features, and parkinsonism. Cerebrospinal fluid and plasma biomarkers, and a positron emission tomography amyloid study suggested Alzheimer's disease. WES and the segregation pattern pointed to a nonsense mutation in the TRIM25 gene (p.C168*), coding for an E3 ubiquitin ligase, which was absent in the cohorts studied. Protein studies supported a loss‐of‐function mechanism.

DISCUSSION

This study supports a new physiopathological mechanism for brain amyloidosis. Furthermore, it extends the role of E3 ubiquitin ligases dysfunction in the development of neurodegenerative diseases.

Highlights

A TRIM25 nonsense mutation (p.C168*) is associated with autosomal dominant early‐onset dementia and parkinsonism with biomarkers suggestive of Alzheimer's disease.

TRIM25 protein studies support that the mutation exerts its effect through loss of function.

TRIM25, an E3 ubiquitin ligase, is known for its role in the innate immune response but this is the first report of association with neurodegeneration.

The role of TRIM25 dysfunction in development of amyloidosis and neurodegeneration merits a new line of research.
Fabrication of PAN/PA6//rGO‐TiO2 electrospun nanofibers membrane with self‐cleaning performance under visible‐light
Authors: Ebrahimi Fatemeh , Nabavi Seyed Reza , Omrani Abdollah
Published: December 2022

Regenerative photocatalytic membranes have gained considerable attention for both their unique properties and practical applications in energy and environmental areas. Reduced graphene oxide‐ titanium dioxide (rGO‐TiO2) electrosprayed onto an electrospun PAN/PA6 for photocatalytic and antifouling experiments. The prepared nanohybrid and membrane a were characterized using FESEM, TEM, AFM, EDX, XRD and DRS techniques. Simultaneous electrospinning of PAN and PA6 increased the mechanical strength of nanofibers by 85%. The rGO‐TiO2 caused increased hydrophilicity, wettability, and ultrahigh water flux up to 1885 Lm−2 h−1 in the fabricated membrane. The membrane has good rejection ratio for methylene blue and the photodegradation of MB can occur in the presence of visible light (λ = 440–830 nm) and can recover its permeability. The fabricated structure, has the lowest total and irreversible membrane fouling ratio, giving the membrane higher antifouling and self‐cleaning properties.
Tortoises and turtles from Huayquerías del Este (late Miocene–early Pliocene), Mendoza, Argentina
Authors: de la Fuente Marcelo S. , Romano Muñoz Cristo O. , González Ruiz Pablo , Garrido Alberto C. , Forasiepi Analía M. , Jannello Juan M. , Maniel Ignacio J.
Published: December 2022

We report new occurrences of Testudinidae and Chelidae from 11 different fossil sites in the Huayquerías and Tunuyán formations (late Miocene–Pliocene) in the Huayquerías del Este, Mendoza, Argentina. A total of 36 specimens were collected, representing at least three taxa from two different clades: 80.6% Testudinidae and 19.4% Chelidae. Testudinids are present throughout the stratigraphic succession, in alluvial, fluvial, and interdune sedimentary environments, represented by dorsal and plastron carapace plates, with some remains of the appendicular skeleton. A complete articulated plastron with some peripheral plates of the carapace was also recognized and is assigned to the extant speciesChelonoidis chilensis, representing the oldest record for this taxon (late Miocene, Messinian). Another possible morphotype was recognized in the form of a large scapular girdle and femur that likely corresponded to an individual with a dorsal carapace of about 80 cm. This assemblage of small and large tortoise species is recognized for first time in the Messinian Age/Stage of Mendoza. Chelids are mostly restricted to fluvial deposits in the upper part of the Huayquerías Formation, except for two specimens which appear in the lower part. One specimen is represented by a right half plastron of an indeterminate Chelidae species which could correspond to a carapace of up to 24 cm in length with plastral lobes narrower than those observed inPhrynopsspecies. Another specimen is characterized by a large costovertebral tunnel in the carapace, peripheral plates of the posterior margin of the carapace with ornamentation of fine grooves forming irregular polygons.
Neutrophil Extracellular Trap–Borne Elastase Prevents Inflammatory Relapse in Intercritical Gout
Authors: Liu Lei , Shan Lizhen , Wang Han , Schauer Christine , Schoen Janina , Zhu Lingjiang , Lu Ci , Wang Zitao , Xue Yu , Wu Huaxiang , Herrmann Martin
Published: December 2022

Objective

Gout flares that occur during urate‐lowering therapy (ULT) are typically related to the shrinkage of tophi due to aggregated neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) that have captured monosodium urate crystals in the tissues. The present study was undertaken to analyze the blocking effect of α1‐antitrypsin on neutrophil elastase, and it was found that α1‐antitrypsin induced rapid inflammation in the presence of unstable tophi.

Methods

Cell‐free DNA levels in serum samples were compared between patients who experienced a varying number of gout flares. We investigated whether cell‐free DNA in serum samples and α1‐antitrypsin could be altered after the initiation of ULT. In mice, an injection of monosodium urate monohydrate (MSU) crystals was used to form a mimic of tophi in the peritoneal cavity, which was then analyzed using immunofluorescence staining. Finally, we investigated the relapse of inflammation by analyzing the levels of α1‐antitrypsin in 2 kinds of artificial tophi and in tophus‐bearing mice.

Results

Levels of cell‐free DNA in serum samples correlated with the number of flares experienced by patients with tophaceous gout. ULT induced an increase in cell‐free DNA in the serum of patients with tophi. Increases in levels of α1‐antitrypsin were seen in patients with tophi who received ULT. Chalk‐like tophi removed from the peritoneal cavity of mice after MSU crystals induced inflammation showed abundant coexpression of interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) and IL‐6–associated NETs. A relapse in inflammation was induced by α1‐antitrypsin during the spontaneous resolution of MSU crystal–induced peritonitis. We observed that α1‐antitrypsin blocks cytokine degradation by neutrophil elastase during the resolution phase of tophi.

Conclusion

ULT causes shrinkage of the tophi reflected by an increase in the levels of cell‐free DNA in serum. In the resolution phase of tophi in mice, NET‐associated neutrophil elastase degrades proinflammatory cytokines and, thus, ameliorates inflammation.
Designing High‐Performing Symmetric Supercapacitor by Engineering Polyaniline on Steel Mesh Surface via Electrodeposition
Authors: Mahfoz Wael , Das Himadri Tanaya , Shah Syed Shaheen , Sanhoob Mohammed , Anjum Ahtisham , Al‐Betar Abdul‐Rahman , Aziz Md. Abdul
Published: December 2022

Energy storage is one of the most stimulating requirements to keep civilization on the wheel of progress. Supercapacitors generally exhibit a high‐power density, have a maximum life cycle, quick charging time, and are eco‐friendly. Polyaniline (PANI), a conductive polymer, is considered an efficacious electrode material for supercapacitors due to its good electroactivity, including pseudocapacitive behavior. Here, we present the fabrication of a symmetric supercapacitor device based on steel mesh electrodeposited with PANI. Due to its effective conductivity, porous nature, and low cost, steel mesh is a good choice as a current collector to fabricate a high‐performance supercapacitor at a low cost. The optimum fabricated supercapacitor has a high specific capacitance of ∼353 mF cm−2. Furthermore, the supercapacitor obtained an energy density of ∼26.4 μW h cm−2at a power density of ∼400 μW cm−2. The fabricated supercapacitor shows high stability, as the initial capacitance remained almost the same after 1000 charge/discharge cycles. PANI is a promising candidate for mass production and wide applications due to its low cost and high performance.
A high‐throughput expression and screening platform for applications‐driven PETase engineering
Authors: Zurier Hannah S. , Goddard Julie M.
Published: December 2022

The environmental consequences of plastic waste have impacted all kingdoms of life in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. However, as the burden of plastic pollution has increased, microbes have evolved to utilize anthropogenic polymers as nutrient sources. Of depolymerase enzymes, the best characterized is PETase, which hydrolyzes aromatic polyesters. PETase engineering has made impressive progress in recent years; however, further optimization of engineered PETase toward industrial application has been limited by lower throughput techniques used in protein purification and activity detection. Here, we address these deficiencies through development of a higher‐throughput PETase engineering platform. Secretory expression via YebF tagging eliminates lysis and purification steps, facilitating production of large mutant libraries. Fluorescent detection of degradation products permits rapid screening of depolymerase activity in microplates as opposed to serial chromatographic methods. This approach enabled development of more stable PETase, semi‐rational (SR) PETase variant containing previously unpublished mutations. SR‐PETase releases 1.9‐fold more degradation products and has up to 7.4‐fold higher activity than wild‐type PETase over 10 days at 40°C. These methods can be adapted to a variety of chemical environments, enabling screening of PETase mutants in applications‐relevant conditions. Overall, this work promises to facilitate advancements in PETase engineering toward industrial depolymerization of plastic waste.
Direct production of 4‐hydroxybenzoic acid from cellulose using cellulase‐displaying Pichia pastoris
Authors: Inokuma Kentaro , Miyamoto Shunya , Morinaga Kohei , Kobayashi Yuma , Kumokita Ryota , Bamba Takahiro , Ito Yoichiro , Kondo Akihiko , Hasunuma Tomohisa
Published: December 2022

4‐hydroxybenzoic acid (4‐HBA) is an industrially important aromatic compound, and there is an urgent need to establish a bioprocess to produce this compound in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner from renewable feedstocks such as cellulosic biomass. Here, we developed a bioprocess to directly produce 4‐HBA from cellulose using a recombinant Pichia pastoris strain that displays heterologous cellulolytic enzymes on its cell surface via the glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)‐anchoring system. β‐glucosidase (BGL) from Aspergillus aculeatus, endoglucanase (EG) from Trichoderma reesei, and cellobiohydrolase (CBH) from Talaromyces emersonii were co‐displayed on the cell surface of P. pastoris using an appropriate GPI‐anchoring domain for each enzyme. The cell‐surface cellulase activity was further enhanced using P. pastoris SPI1 promoter‐ and secretion signal sequences. The resulting strains efficiently hydrolyzed phosphoric acid swollen cellulose (PASC) to glucose. Then, we expressed a highly 4‐HBA‐resistant chorismate pyruvate‐lyase (UbiC) from Providencia rustigianii in the cellulase‐displaying strain. This strain produced 975 mg/L of 4‐HBA from PASC, which corresponding to 36.8% of the theoretical maximum yield, after 96 h of batch fermentation without the addition of commercial cellulase. This 4‐HBA yield was over two times higher than that obtained from glucose (12.3% of the theoretical maximum yield). To our knowledge, this is the first report on the direct production of an aromatic compound from cellulose using cellulase‐displaying yeast.
Hard carbon anodes derived from phenolic resin/sucrose cross‐linking network for high‐performance sodium‐ion batteries
Authors: Xu Ran , Sun Ning , Zhou Huanyu , Chang Xiaqing , Soomro Razium A. , Xu Bin
Published: December 2022

Hard carbons are widely studied as anode materials for sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) due to their high Na‐storage capacity, long cycle life, and low cost. However, the low initial coulombic efficiency (ICE) and poor cycle performance remain bottleneck concerns that necessitate a comprehensive material engineering solution. Herein, we propose a facile strategy to synthesize amorphous carbons with pseudo‐graphitic dominated crystalline, expanded interlayer spacing, and reduced surface defects via carbonization of the cross‐linking network of phenolic resin and sucrose. An elaborate structural and electrochemical characteristics analysis has been investigated against different sucrose contents and carbonization temperatures. The representative PF‐S‐55‐1200 with the optimum cross‐linking degree as well as carbonization temperature realizes a high reversible Na‐storage capacity of 323.0 mAh g−1 with an ICE as high as 86.4%, much superior to the pristine phenolic resin pyrolytic carbon with a capacity of 267.1 mAh g−1 and an ICE of 46.3%. The hybrid hard carbons also exhibit robust structural stability with a prolonged cycle lifespan evidenced by a retained capacity of 238.3 mAh g−1 at a current density of 200 mA g−1 over 1500 cycles. The proposed route promises low‐cost and high‐performance hybrid hard carbons with optimized structural configuration for advanced SIBs.
Anatomy of small canals around the jugular foramen: Special reference to Jacobson's and Arnold's nerves
Authors: Komune Noritaka , Suzuki Tomoharu , Miyamoto Yusuke , Iwanaga Joe , Matsuo Satoshi , Akiyama Osamu , Tubbs R. Shane , Nakagawa Takashi
Published: December 2022

The jugular foramen harbors anatomically complex bony, venous and neural structures. It is closely associated with small canals including the mastoid, tympanic, and cochlear canaliculi, and the stylomastoid foramen. The minute intraosseous branches of Arnold's and Jacobson's nerves (<1 mm in length) remain difficult to study with current imaging techniques, and cadaveric dissection is the most reliable approach. Our aim was to examine the variations of Jacobson's and Arnold's canaliculi and nerves and to provide detailed cadaveric graphics. To reveal the anatomical structures of small canals around the jugular foramen, 25 sides of dry skulls and 14 sides of cadaveric heads were examined. Intraosseous branches varied more in Arnold's nerve than Jacobson's nerve. In our cadaveric dissection, all specimens formed a single canal for Jacobson's nerve connecting the jugular foramen to the tympanic cavity. The intraosseous course of Arnold's nerve varied in its communication with the facial nerve. A descending branch crossing the facial nerve was identified in five of 14 sides, an ascending branch in 13. In two specimens, an ascending branch clearly reached the base of the stapedius muscle. Classical anatomical studies of cadavers remain a supplementary tool for analyzing these tiny structures. The present study confirms Gray's findings of 1913. Variations of these nerves could be even more complex than previously reported. Our study provides additional information regarding the anatomy of Jacobson's and Arnold's nerves.