bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trends in mortality among Black and White men with prostate cancer in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania: Race and neighborhood socioeconomic position
Authors: Iyer Hari S. , Gomez Scarlett L. , Chen Jarvis T. , Trinh Quoc‐Dien , Rebbeck Timothy R.
Published: April 2021

Background

Reducing disparities in men with prostate cancer (PCa) that may be caused by racial and socioeconomic differences is a major public health priority. Few reports have studied whether these disparities have changed over time.

Methods

Men diagnosed with PCa from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2015 were identified from the Massachusetts and Pennsylvania cancer registries. All‐cause mortality and PCa and cardiovascular cause‐specific mortality were assessed. To estimate neighborhood socioeconomic position (nSEP), a summary score was generated using census tract‐level measures of income, wealth, educational attainment, and racial and income segregation. Participants were grouped by diagnosis year (2000‐2003, 2004‐2007, 2008‐2011, or 2012‐2015), and changing trends in the mortality rate ratio by race and nSEP were estimated using covariate‐adjusted Cox models with follow‐up for up to 10 years, until death, or until censoring on January 1, 2018.

Results

There were 193,883 patients with PCa and 43,661 deaths over 1,404,131 person‐years of follow‐up. The Black‐White adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) from 2000 to 2003 through 2012 to 2015 was stable for all‐cause mortality (aHR, 1.14 to 0.97; P for heterogeneity = .42), decreased for PCa‐specific mortality (aHR, 1.38 to 0.93; P for heterogeneity = .005), and increased for cardiovascular mortality (aHR, 1.09 to 1.28; P for heterogeneity = .034). The aHR comparing those in the lowest versus the highest nSEP quintile increased significantly for all‐cause mortality (aHR, 1.54 to 1.79; P for heterogeneity = .008), but not for PCa‐specific mortality (aHR, 1.60 to 1.72; P for heterogeneity = .40) or cardiovascular mortality (aHR, 1.72 to 1.89; P for heterogeneity = .085).

conclusions

Although Black‐White disparities in prostate mortality declined in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania over the study period, nSEP mortality disparity trends were stagnant or increased, warranting further attention.

Lay Summary

Few reports have examined whether racial and socioeconomic disparities in prostate cancer mortality have widened or narrowed in recent years.

Using data from 2 state registries (Massachusetts and Pennsylvania) with differing intensities of government‐mandated health insurance, trends in racial and neighborhood socioeconomic disparities were studied among Black and White men diagnosed from 2000 to 2015.

Overall, trends in racial disparities were stagnant for all‐cause mortality, shrank for prostate mortality, and widened for cardiovascular mortality.

Disparities associated with neighborhood socioeconomic status either were stagnant or widened across all mortality end points.

In general, disparities were more pronounced in Pennsylvania than in Massachusetts.
Association of race and health care system with disease stage and survival in veterans with larynx cancer
Authors: Voora Rohith S. , Kotha Nikhil V. , Kumar Abhishek , Qiao Edmund M. , Qian Alexander S. , Panuganti Bharat A. , Banegas Matthew P. , Weissbrod Philip A. , Stewart Tyler F. , Rose Brent S. , Orosco Ryan K.
Published: April 2021

Background

Black patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) historically have inferior outcomes in comparison with White patients. The authors investigated these racial disparities within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), an equal‐access system, and within the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program, which is representative of the US hybrid‐payer system.

Methods

Patients with invasive (T1 or greater) LSCC were included from SEER (2004‐2015) and the VHA (2000‐2017). The primary outcomes of overall survival (OS) and larynx cancer–specific survival (LCS) were evaluated in Cox and Fine‐Gray models.

Results

In the SEER cohort (7122 patients: 82.6% White and 17.4% Black), Black patients were more likely to present with advanced disease and had inferior OS (hazard ratio [HR], 1.37; 95% CI, 1.26‐1.50; P < .0001) in a multivariable analysis. Black LCS was worse in a univariable analysis (HR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.27‐1.58; P < .0001), but this effect was attenuated by 83% when the authors controlled for the TNM category and was found to be insignificant in a multivariable analysis (HR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.93‐1.18; P = .42). In the VHA cohort (9248 patients: 79.7% White and 20.3% Black), the 2 racial cohorts presented with similar tumor characteristics and similar OS (HR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.89‐1.02; P = .14). Black LCS was similar in univariable (HR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.00‐1.22; P = .05) and multivariable analyses (HR, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.92‐1.14; P = .67).

Conclusions

Black patients with LSCC had a tumor burden at diagnosis and survival outcomes comparable to those of White patients within the VHA; this was counter to what was observed in the SEER analysis and prior national trends. This study's findings point toward the notable role of health care access in contributing to racial health disparities in the realm of larynx cancer.
Accelerating the Fenton Reaction with a Magnetic Microswarm for Enhanced Water Remediation
Authors: Wang Qinglong , Ji Fengtong , Wang Shijie , Zhang Li
Published: April 2021

The Fenton reaction, among one of the advanced oxidation processes, has been widely employed for water remediation. Here, we report using magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles to accelerate the degradation of the simulative organic pollutant (i. e., Rhodamine B) in a collective manner, featuring an enhanced Fenton reaction. Fe2+ ions released from Fe3O4 nanoparticles function as a reducing agent to trigger the Fenton reaction in an acidic environment. A large number of Fe3O4 nanoparticles form the microswarm by applying a rotating magnetic field, which would further improve the intermixing and reaction diffusion as a result of the hydrodynamic vortex created by magnetic chains. Moreover, the microswarm possesses the ability of targeted degradation achieved by the collective locomotion, and such a collective manner would ultimately avoid the loss of Fe3O4 nanoparticles during the whole process. Besides, Fe3O4 nanoparticles can be magnetically collected and rinsed for recycling use, with a retained dye degradation rate of 73.5% after 3 degradation cycles. As a result, the magnetic microswarm holds advantages in terms of low cost, enhanced degradation, recyclability, and targeted decontamination, which is promising for the removal of organic pollutants.
Outcome of hypofractionated breast irradiation and intraoperative electron boost in early breast cancer: A randomized non‐inferiority clinical trial
Authors: Fadavi Pedram , Nafissi Nahid , Mahdavi Seied Rabi , Jafarnejadi Bahareh , Javadinia Seyed Alireza
Published: April 2021

Background

Intraoperative electron radiotherapy (IOERT) followed by hypofractionated whole breast irradiation (HWBI) provides the shortest possible time of adjuvant breast irradiation. The efficacy of either method has been described in previous reports; however, to our knowledge, the efficacy of combined therapy has not been reported.

Aim

To compare the toxicity and cosmetic outcome of IOERT as a tumor bed boost followed by HWBI with conventional whole breast irradiation (CWBI) followed by external electron tumor bed boost (EETBB) after breast conserving surgery (BCS) in patients with invasive breast cancer.

Methods

In 2019, a prospective noninferiority trial (IRCT20180919041070N2) was started. After BCS, early‐stage breast cancer patients were treated by IOERT (10 Gy) and HWBI (42.56 Gy in 16 fractions) or CWBI (50 Gy in 25 fraction) and EETBB (10 Gy in 5) in a double‐arm design. Acute/late toxicity and cosmetic outcome were evaluated by common toxicity criteria (CTC) after 1‐year follow‐up (FUP) at the level of p < .05.

Results

Of 60 eligible patients, 30 were allocated to each group. Regarding acute effects after a median FUP of 12 months, CTC‐score of grade II‐III erythema (p = .001) and desquamation (p = .005) were significantly higher in CWBI+EETBB compared to IOERT+ HWBI. However, there were no significant differences at the end of radiotherapy and after 1 month, 6 months, and 1 year. Cosmetic outcome after radiation was similar in both groups mostly rating as good/excellent after 1‐year FUP.

Conclusions

Boost‐IOERT/HWBI regimen has comparable acute and late treatment toxicity profiles compared to the CWBI.
Electron‐Activated Tandem Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Glycosaminoglycans
Authors: Pepi Lauren E. , Amster I. Jonathan
Published: April 2021

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are linear polysaccharides found in a variety of organisms. GAGs contribute to biochemical pathway regulation, cell signaling, and disease progression. GAG sequence information is imperative for determining structure‐function relationships. Recent advances in electron‐activation techniques paired with high‐resolution mass spectrometry allow for full sequencing of GAG structures. Electron detachment dissociation (EDD) and negative electron transfer dissociation (NETD) are two electron‐activation methods that have been utilized for GAG characterization. Both methods produce an abundance of informative glycosidic and cross‐ring fragment ions without producing a high degree of sulfate decomposition. Here, we provide detailed protocols for using EDD and NETD to sequence GAG chains. In addition to protocols directly involving performing these MS/MS methods, protocols include sample preparation, method development, internal calibration, and data analysis. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

This article was corrected on 27 July 2022. See the end of the full text for details.

Basic Protocol 1: Preparation of glycosaminoglycan samples

Basic Protocol 2: FTICR method development

Basic Protocol 3: Internal calibration with NaTFA

Basic Protocol 4: Electron Detachment Dissociation (EDD) of GAG samples

Basic Protocol 5: Negative electron transfer dissociation (NETD) of GAG samples

Basic Protocol 6: Analysis of MS/MS data
Culturing and Multiplexed Time‐Lapse Imaging of Fungal Isolates from Marine and Coastal Environments
Authors: Mitchison‐Field Lorna M. Y. , Gladfelter Amy S.
Published: April 2021

Fungi play a crucial role in biogeochemical cycling and shaping biological communities at macro‐ and microcosmic scales. However, fungi have been largely overlooked in studies of marine ecology and microbiology. Here we present protocols for preparing culture media, collecting and culturing fungi from several types of marine environments and animal hosts, and preparing microscopy slides for long‐term time lapse imaging of fungal isolates. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

This article was corrected on 27 July 2022. See the end of the full text for details.

Basic Protocol 1: Solid media preparation

Alternate Protocol 1: Liquid media preparation

Basic Protocol 2: Sample collection and plating from ocean water

Alternate Protocol 2: Sample collection and plating from coastal sediment

Alternate Protocol 3: Sample collection and plating from animal holobionts

Support Protocol 1: Making frozen stocks

Support Protocol 2: Streaking cultures from frozen stocks

Basic Protocol 3: Slide preparation and assembly for imaging © 2021 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
TGF‐β‐secreting regulatory B cells: unsung players in immune regulation
Authors: Huai Guoli , Markmann James F , Deng Shaoping , Rickert Charles Gerard
Published: April 2021

Regulatory B cells contribute to the regulation of immune responses in cancer, autoimmune disorders, allergic conditions and inflammatory diseases. Although most studies focus on regulatory B lymphocytes expressing interleukin‐10, there is growing evidence that B cells producing transforming growth factor β (TGF‐β) can also regulate T‐cell immunity in inflammatory diseases and promote the emergence of regulatory T cells that contribute to the induction and maintenance of natural and induced immune tolerance. Most research on TGF‐β+ regulatory B cells has been conducted in models of allergy, cancer and autoimmune diseases, but there has, as yet, been limited scrutiny of their role in the transplant setting. Herein, we review recent investigations seeking to understand how TGF‐β‐producing B cells direct the immune response in various inflammatory diseases and whether these regulatory cells may have a role in fostering tolerance in transplantation.
Real‐time monitoring of single circulating tumor cells with a fluorescently labeled deoxy‐glucose by in vivo flow cytometry
Authors: Weng Xiaofu , Wei Dan , Zhu Xi , Tao Lechan , Guo Jun , Pang Kai , Yang Zhangru , Wei Xunbin
Published: April 2021

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) play an essential role in metastasis and serve as an important prognostic biomarker. The technology of CTC labeling and detection in vivo can greatly improve the research of cancer metastasis and therapy. However, there is no in vivo technology to detect CTCs in clinic. In this study, we demonstrate that 2‐[N‐(7‐nitrobenz‐2‐oxa‐1,3‐diazol‐4‐yl) amino]‐2‐deoxy‐d‐glucose (2‐NBDG), a 2‐deoxy‐glucose analog, can work in vivo to indicate CTCs and metastases fluorescently by direct intravenous injection. During the development of an implanted tumor in mice, the spontaneous CTCs released from the primary tumor into blood vessels can be labeled by 2‐NBDG due to the abnormal metabolism of CTCs. The green fluorescence of 2‐NBDG from CTCs is then noninvasively detected by an in vivo flow cytometry system. Due to the high uptake of glucose by tumor cells, the CTCs in mice can maintain a high 2‐NBDG level and thus be distinguished by 2‐NBDG fluorescence in vivo efficiently, enabling tumor detection in vivo like positron emission tomography (PET) but at the single‐cell resolution. Our results suggest 2‐NBDG, a glucose analog with high biosafety, holds promising potential in clinical applications, similar to the widely‐used contrast medium 2‐F18‐fluorodeoxyglucose in PET.
Distinct toll‐like receptor signaling in the salamander response to tissue damage
Authors: Debuque Ryan J. , Nowoshilow Sergej , Chan Katya E. , Rosenthal Nadia A. , Godwin James W.
Published: April 2021

Background

Efficient wound healing or pathogen clearance both rely on balanced inflammatory responses. Inflammation is essential for effective innate immune‐cell recruitment; however, excessive inflammation will result in local tissue destruction, pathogen egress, and ineffective pathogen clearance. Sterile and nonsterile inflammation operate with competing functional priorities but share common receptors and overlapping signal transduction pathways. In regenerative organisms such as the salamander, whole limbs can be replaced after amputation while exposed to a nonsterile environment. In mammals, exposure to sterile‐injury Damage Associated Molecular Patterns (DAMPS) alters innate immune‐cell responsiveness to secondary Pathogen Associated Molecular Pattern (PAMP) exposure.

Results

Using new phospho‐flow cytometry techniques to measure signaling in individual cell subsets we compared mouse to salamander inflammation. These studies demonstrated evolutionarily conserved responses to PAMP ligands through toll‐like receptors (TLRs) but identified key differences in response to DAMP ligands. Co‐exposure of macrophages to DAMPs/PAMPs suppressed MAPK signaling in mammals, but not salamanders, which activate sustained MAPK stimulation in the presence of endogenous DAMPS.

Conclusions

These results reveal an alternative signal transduction network compatible with regeneration that may ultimately lead to the promotion of enhanced tissue repair in mammals.
Counting Cats: The integration of expert and citizen science data for unbiased inference of population abundance
Authors: McDonald Jenni L. , Hodgson Dave
Published: April 2021

Free‐roaming animal populations are hard to count, and professional experts are a limited resource. There is vast untapped potential in the data collected by nonprofessional scientists who volunteer their time to population monitoring, but citizen science (CS) raises concerns around data quality and biases. A particular concern in abundance modeling is the presence of false positives that can occur due to misidentification of nontarget species. Here, we introduce Integrated Abundance Models (IAMs) that integrate citizen and expert data to allow robust inference of population abundance meanwhile accounting for biases caused by misidentification. We used simulation experiments to confirm that IAMs successfully remove the inflation of abundance estimates caused by false‐positive detections and can provide accurate estimates of both bias and abundance. We illustrate the approach with a case study on unowned domestic cats, which are commonly confused with owned, and infer their abundance by analyzing a combination of CS data and expert data. Our case study finds that relying on CS data alone, either through simple summation or via traditional modeling approaches, can vastly inflate abundance estimates. IAMs provide an adaptable framework, increasing the opportunity for further development of the approach, tailoring to specific systems and robust use of CS data.
Few changes in native Australian alpine plant morphology, despite substantial local climate change
Authors: Sritharan Meena S. , Hemmings Frank A. , Moles Angela T.
Published: April 2021

Rapid evolution is likely to be an important mechanism allowing native species to adapt to changed environmental conditions. Many Northern Hemisphere species have undergone substantial recent changes in phenology and morphology. However, we have little information about how native species in the Southern Hemisphere are responding to climate change. We used herbarium specimens from 21 native alpine plant species in Kosciuszko National Park, Australia, to make over 1,500 measurements of plant size, leaf thickness, leaf mass per area, leaf shape, and leaf size across the last 126 years. Only two out of 21 species (9%) showed significant changes in any of the measured traits. The number of changes we observed was not significantly different to what we would expect by chance alone, based on the number of analyses performed. This lack of change is not attributable to methodology—an earlier study using the same methods found significant changes in 70% of species introduced to southeast Australia. Australia's native alpine plants do not appear to be adapting to changed conditions, and because of the low elevation of Australia's mountains, they do not have much scope for uphill migration. Thus, our findings suggest that Australia's native alpine plants are at even greater risk in the face of future climate change than was previously understood.
Multi‐tissue and multi‐isotope (δ13C, δ15N, δ18O and 87/86Sr) data for early medieval human and animal palaeoecology
Authors: Leggett Sam , Rose Alice , Praet Estelle , Le Roux Petrus
Published: April 2021

Human isotopic ecology at its core aims to study humans as a part of their environments, as animals within an ecosystem. We are complex animals with complicated foodways and mobility patterns that are hard to address without large multifaceted data sets. As biomolecular data from archaeological remains proliferates scientists are now at the stage where we are able to collate large bodies of data and undertake complex meta‐analyses and address the complexities of human ecology and past socioenvironmental dynamics. Here we present a data set of 862 entries of new primary isotopic data (37 faunal bone, 235 human enamel carbonate with a subset of 18 for 87/86Sr, 347 human bone, 243 human bulk dentine) within a larger data set compiled from available legacy data. It contains a total of 8,910 isotopic entries from ancient humans and animals relating to diet and mobility from the late Roman period into the Middle Ages (c. 400–1200 AD). It includes carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and strontium isotope ratios from human bone, human dentine, faunal bone, and human bioapatite from thousands of individuals, and hundreds of sites found across 26 modern countries in western Europe. Studies have previously focused on only one of these aspects, compiling data sets for one tissue, or common isotopic pairing, or focusing on a particular site or region at a smaller scale for multi‐isotope multitissue studies. This is the largest and first multitissue, multi‐isotope, multiproxy data set of its kind from premodern populations. In publishing this data set, we hope to inspire more synthetic and meta‐analytical work on human isotopic ecology. Insights from these data should lead to greater understanding of diet, agriculture, climate change, human–animal interactions, mobility/migration, and much more in the past. It is hoped that these insights into past socioenvironmental dynamics will help inform current discourse on human–environmental interactions. There are no copyright or proprietary restrictions on the data; these data papers should be cited when these data are used in publications. Additionally, we would like to hear from other researchers who use these data sets in teaching or for their own research.
Compared to commercially insured patients, Medicare advantage patients adopt newer diabetes drugs more slowly and adhere to them less
Authors: Flory James H , Li Jing , Dawwas Ghadeer K. , Leonard Charles E.
Published: April 2021

Aims

To compare rates of use and adherence for newer versus older second‐line diabetes drug classes in commercially insured, Medicare Advantage and dual‐eligible (covered by both Medicare and Medicaid) patients.

Materials and Methods

Longitudinal cohort study using insurance claims data from 1/1/2012 to 12/31/2016 to identify patients with a first prescription, after metformin, of a second‐line diabetes drug (eg sulphonylurea, DPP‐4 inhibitor, thiazolidinedione, SGLT‐2 inhibitor or GLP‐1 receptor agonist) and to estimate their adherence to that drug class. Univariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression were used to examine the association between insurance type and use of each drug class, and between insurance type and adherence to each drug class.

Results

The study population included 96,663 patients. Trends in drug use differed by insurance type. For example, sulphonylurea use declined among the commercially insured (from 46% to 39%, p < .001) but not among Medicare Advantage or dual‐eligible patients. Patterns of adherence also differed between insurance groups. For example, compared to commercial insurance, Medicare Advantage was associated with higher adherence to sulphonylurea (odds ratio [OR] 1.32, 95% CI 1.21–1.43)) but lower adherence to SGLT‐2 inhibitors (OR 0.43 (95% CI 0.33–0.56)).

Conclusions

This study finds differences in utilization and adherence for diabetes drugs across insurance types. Older medications such as sulphonylureas appear to be more used and better adhered to among Medicare Advantage recipients, while the opposite is true for newer medication classes. These findings suggest a need to personalize selection of diabetes drugs according to insurance status, particularly when adherence needs optimization.
Pain regulation during mindfulness meditation: Phenomenological fingerprints in novices and experts practitioners
Authors: Poletti Stefano , Abdoun Oussama , Zorn Jelle , Lutz Antoine
Published: April 2021

Background

The way people respond to pain is based on psychological mechanisms, beliefs and expectations. Mindfulness meditation (MM) has been shown to regulate pain and mental suffering through different mechanisms such as positive reappraisal, attentional and emotional regulation. Yet, subjective experience and meaning of pain in connection with MM are still largely unexplored.

Methods

The present mixed‐methods study combined an interpretative‐phenomenological qualitative approach with an experimental thermal pain paradigm to explore and compare the meaning of experiencing pain in 32 novices who received short meditation training and 30 experts in meditation practice (more than 10, 000 hr in life). We collected the qualitative data during in‐depth semi‐structured interviews where we probed participants’ response strategies. During the pain task, we collected self‐reports of intensity and unpleasantness, while after the task we collected self‐reports of avoidance, openness, vividness and blissfulness.

Results

Five phenomenological clusters (PhC) emerged from the interviews, including three which described pain as an unpleasant sensation calling for: (1) experiential avoidance‐suppression, (2) volitional agency‐distanciation, or (3) a positive cognitive reappraisal and flexibility. Two additional clusters (4–5), containing mostly expert meditators, thematized pain sensation as an opportunity to gain metacognitive insights about mental processes, and to deconstruct one's suffering through these insights. PhC5 further integrates these insights with the recognition that suffering is part of the shared human experience and with the aspiration to relieve others from suffering. Each PhC was correlated to a unique profile of self‐reports during the pain paradigm.

Conclusion

These findings need to be replicated in patients and practicing MM. They also warrant the integration of this mixed‐method approach with brain imaging data to refine the experiential neuroscience of pain.

Significance

We compared the meaning of experiencing and regulating pain in novices and expert meditators using qualitative interviews. We identified five phenomenological clusters describing relevant features implicated in pain response strategies and meditation. These clusters were organized along a pseudo‐gradient, which captured meditation expertise and predicted self‐reports related to a pain paradigm and psychometric scales associated with pain and its regulation. These findings advance our understanding of the metacognitive mechanisms and beliefs underlying mindfulness meditation and can inform pain treatment strategies.
Engineering application of desulfurization and denitrification comprehensive purification technology for activated coke
Authors: Wu Zihua , Li Dandan , Chen Hao , Zhang Shule , Zhong Qin
Published: April 2021

This article discusses the desulfurization and denitrification integrated purification technology for activated coke. This technology has been widely used in globally due to its ability to simultaneously remove NOx, SO2, dioxin, and dust from the flue gas. The approach discussed adopts a cross‐flow method in which the activated coke flows from the top to the bottom in the adsorption tower, and the flue gas passes through the activated coke bed horizontally from the side. To create a more economically appealing solution, the waste heat recovery system is optimized and a regeneration gas processing system is added to recycle the gas with a high concentration of SO2. In this process, first desulfurization and then denitrification. The denitrification process is performed by selective catalytic reduction of NOx with NH3 reaction (NH3‐SCR). The results show that under the flue gas condition (NOx = 300 mg/Nm3 and SO2 = 200 mg/Nm3), SO2 is almost completely removed and the NOx removal efficiency is greater than 80%. After SO2 adsorption, the activated coke can be regenerated in a regeneration furnace at 400–450°C and the highly concentrated SO2 produced during the regeneration process can be further used for the production of ammonium sulfate. The purpose of the regeneration reaction of activated coke is to reactivate and recover the activated coke. Finally, the cost analysis results of the system show that the desulfurization and denitrification integrated purification technology for activated coke has excellent economic benefits.
Cogeneration system driven by solar dish concentrators
Authors: Pavlovic Sasa , Bellos Evangelos , Said Zafar
Published: April 2021

The objective of this study is the investigation of a cogeneration system for heating and electricity production, which is driven by solar dish concentrators. There is an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) driven by the solar field and produces electricity with its turbine and heating from its condenser. The solar field includes 100 m2 of solar dish concentrators with spiral absorber and an insulated storage tank of 4 m3 storage volume. The system is examined parametrically for different pressure levels in the turbine inlet and superheating degree. The system exergy efficiency is maximized for a superheating of 30 K and a maximum pressure equal to 70% of the toluene critical pressure. In this case, the system produces 12.41 kW electricity, 28.55 kW heating, while the energy efficiency is 51.20%, and the exergy efficiency is 20.69%. Moreover, the system is examined for a typical sunny day, and it is found that the electricity production is 125.6 kWh, the heating production 288.86 kWh, the energy efficiency 48.96%, and the exergy efficiency 19.77%. In the end, the simple payback period of the examined system is found at 6.28 years, which is a good value.
Diurnal burden of spontaneous seizures in early epileptogenesis in the post‐kainic acid rat model of epilepsy
Authors: Mizuno Stephanie , Koneval Zachery , Zierath Dannielle K. , Knox Kevin M. , White H. Steve , Barker‐Haliski Melissa
Published: April 2021

Patients with epilepsy can experience diurnal seizure patterns. However, few studies in rodent models of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) routinely quantify the diurnal pattern of spontaneous recurrent seizures (SRS), and those that have conducted such assessments used small groups. This study thus aimed to define whether there was a diurnal pattern of SRS in the early phases of epileptogenesis in a large cohort (n = 40) of post‐kainic acid (KA)‐induced status epilepticus (SE) male Sprague Dawley rats. Rats were monitored by continuous 24/7 video‐EEG in two‐week epochs up to 6 weeks post‐KA‐induced SE. The total number of SRS by 6 weeks post‐SE correlated to body weight at the time of SE insult (R2 = .1465, P = .0143). The total number of spontaneous behavioral and electrographic seizures, seizure severity, and seizure burden was recorded during lights ON (light) or lights OFF (dark) phases. All measures significantly increased with time post‐SE; we detected significantly more seizures during the lights OFF phase of the post‐SE monitoring periods. Moreover, a subset of rats demonstrated marked seizure preference in the lights OFF phase. Our study confirms that a diurnal pattern of SRS is variably detectable in early epileptogenesis in this model of TLE.
Multi‐dimensional digital twin of energy storage system for electric vehicles: A brief review
Authors: Vandana  , Garg Akhil , Panigrahi Bijaya Ketan
Published: April 2021

This article proposes a Digital Twin (DT) framework for the whole life cycle of batteries. Specifically, in the stage of R&D, Digital twin can integrate the data of all technical fields into one model to optimize the battery's performance. During the manufacturing and production phase, DT can establish a digital production line and workshop to improve it. In the operation stage, aiming at various fault features in the battery operation process, with the assistance of large data samples, digital twin simulation is used to determine the fault status of the equipment accurately, to realize the self‐perception, judgment, error correction, early warning and other functions of the equipment. The article also proposes a Postoperation phase to recycle the battery to resolve the battery materials shortage problem. The critical research direction is a futuristic plan of battery communication with a charging Station, Battery Swapping System, Smart Grid, and Renewable resources. This sophisticated DT can comprehensively improve the energy system's entire life cycle management. Moreover, it can help perceive customer demand and offer an efficient operation mode to reduce running costs.
Between a rock and a cold place: Neanderthal biocultural cold adaptations
Authors: Ocobock Cara , Lacy Sarah , Niclou Alexandra
Published: April 2021

A large body of work focuses on the unique aspects of Neanderthal anatomy, inferred physiology, and behavior to test the assumption that Neanderthals were hyper‐adapted to living in cold environments. This research has expanded over the years to include previously unexplored and potentially adaptive features such as brown adipose tissue and fire‐usage. Here we review the current state of knowledge of Neanderthal cold adaptations along morphological, physiological, and behavioral lines. While highlighting foundational as well as recent work, we also emphasize key areas for future research. Despite thriving in a variety of climates, it is well‐accepted that Neanderthals appear to be the most cold‐adapted of known fossil hominin groups; however, there are still many unknowns. There is a great deal yet to be uncovered about the nature and manifestation of Neanderthal adaptation and how the synergy of biology and culture helped buffer them against extreme and variable environments.
Emotional profiles elicited from orthonasal and retronasal perceptions of food (fruit) and non‐food (floral) aromas
Authors: Feldmeyer Alex , Johnson Adrianne , Ennis John M.
Published: April 2021

Ten fruit (food) and floral (non‐food) aromas delivered through the nostrils (orthonasal) and the oral cavity (retronasal) were profiled to determine the emotional response that would be elicited. The check‐all‐that‐apply (CATA) variant of the EsSense® Profile was used to collect explicit emotional profiles for 5 fruit aromas and 5 floral aromas delivered orthonasally and retronasally. Regression, Cochran's Q test, and correspondence analysis were used to investigate the effects of delivery route and aroma quality on emotion selections. Participants selected positively valenced emotions for the fruit samples independent of delivery route and were more likely to be neutral and high‐energy emotions. Participants selected more negatively valenced, high‐energy emotions for the retronasal floral samples, while orthonasal floral samples resulted in more positively valenced, low energy emotion selections. Emotional profiles proved to be mediated by a combination of aroma quality and delivery route congruency.
New thermal releaser of menthol: Cellulose acetate film covered amorphous silica
Authors: Zhang Yu Kang , Gao Ling , Chen Jie Ling , Hong Ying , Shen Wei‐Jian , Wang Ying , Zhu Jian Hua
Published: April 2021

A new way of controllable releasing menthol with amorphous silica is reported for the first time. Porous silica adsorbed menthol in 373‐413 K and then was covered with cellulose acetate film to form a carrier‐embedded menthol. The sealed menthol would be released at elevated temperatures once the cover fractured. Here, the influence of temperature and nature of sorbent on the adsorption of menthol along with the covering manner were investigated carefully, and the thermal release of menthol was studied with headspace gas chromatography (HS‐GC) method. Silica adsorbed about 400 mg g−1 of menthol at the optimal adsorption conditions and released most of them at about 473 K. Preliminary application in non‐combustible cigarette proven the feasibility of thermal release of menthol with the covered silica carrier.
Knowledge and practices of dietary iron and anemia among early adolescents in a rural district in Ghana
Authors: Wiafe Michael Akenteng , Apprey Charles , Annan Reginald Adjetey
Published: April 2021

The study assessed knowledge and practices of dietary iron intake and anemia among early adolescents in the Asante‐Akim Municipality of Ghana. A cross‐sectional study was conducted among 137 adolescents, aged 10–14 years. Structured questionnaire was used to collect data on sociodemographic, knowledge of iron, and anemia, and iron intake practices. Hemoglobin levels were determined using Hemocue 301. Data were analyzed using descriptive, chi‐square test, and binary logistics regression. The mean age of participants was 11.5 years. About 40% had knowledge of iron deficiency anemia, 29.4% knew anemia causes, 86% knew symptoms of anemia, and 35% knew anemia consequences. Although 41.2% of participants knew its prevention as eating iron‐rich foods, 31.4% knew the food sources of iron, and 4.4% mentioned animal‐based foods as rich sources, with the bulk (27%) mentioning plant‐based foods instead. Moreover, 18.2% knew iron enhancers, while 0.7% knew iron inhibitors. More chicken consumers (72.2%) than nonconsumers (56.6%) met the Estimated Average Requirement for dietary iron intake (Chi‐square 3.4,p = .073), while more dried fish consumers (88%) than nonconsumers (66.7%) had normal hemoglobin levels (Chi‐square 4.5,p = .050). Knowledge of food sources of iron and iron‐rich foods was positively associated with intake of chicken, fresh fish, and dried fish. Moreover, lower knowledge of iron‐based food sources (β = −1.015,p = .020) and iron‐rich foods (β = −2.188,p = .015) was inversely associated with beef intake. Anemia was negatively associated with chicken (β = −0.310,p = .416) and dried fish (β = −1.299,p = .045) consumption. Majority of the adolescents had low knowledge of iron. Chicken and dried fish intake reduced the risk of anemia development. Our study may be the first to assess knowledge on iron, anemia, and its impact among young Ghanaian adolescents. Our findings provide insights into this topic, calling for to improve knowledge, and practices on anemia in Ghanaian adolescents.
Preparation, amino acid composition, and in Vitro antioxidant activity of okra seed meal protein hydrolysates
Authors: Yao Hongliang , Yang Jiani , Zhan Jiajia , Lu Qu , Su Min , Jiang Yaojiong
Published: April 2021

To improve the utilization of okra seed, acidic and enzymatic hydrolyses of producing protein hydrolysates were respectively optimized by orthogonal experiment and response surface methodology using the degree of hydrolysis (DH) as evaluating index. Amino acid composition and antioxidant capacity in vitro of two kinds of hydrolysates were both analyzed. The degree of acidic hydrolysis was 58.53 ± 1.92% under the following optimized condition: hydrolyzing time 40 hr, temperature 95°C, ratio of acid solution to okra seed meal (OSM) powder was 5:1 (V:W/ml:g), and hydrochloric acid concentration was 18% (W/W). The degree of enzymatic hydrolysis was 16.26 ± 0.56% under the optimized condition: hydrolyzing time 8.20 hr, ratio of buffer to OSM powder was 10:1, and enzyme dosage was 3,100 International Units (IU) g−1. Enzymatic hydrolysates had a fuller range of amino acids and antioxidant capacity than acidic hydrolysates. The results provide technical support for the expansion of okra seed utilization.
Effect of sensorimotor rehabilitation based on an immersive virtual reality model on mental health
Authors: Brito Héctor , Pham Trung , Vicente Benjamín
Published: April 2021

The aim of this study was to determine the immersive virtual reality‐based sensorimotor rehabilitation (IVR‐SRB) effect on mental health (global mental health, depression, anxiety and well‐being) in older adults.

Methods

This study was experimental, with a sample of 111 older adults (control‐experimental), considering an application of IVR‐SRB in four different virtual settings with exteroceptive synchronization, proprioceptive and vestibular stimuli, for 6 weeks. Outcome variables: symptoms associated with depression and anxiety; positive mental health (psychological well‐being). A descriptive and inferential approach was used to analyze the data, and the ANCOVA test was used to compare the post‐intervention groups, controlled by the baseline; In case of baseline moderation, a linear regression model was applied to identify the level of moderation and a region of significance analysis.

Results

An IVR‐SRB positive net effect was found in the reduction of symptoms of global mental health (p < 0.0001) and depression (p < 0.0001), without baseline moderation. The anxiety scores showed moderation at the beginning (p < 0.0001; b = −0.53), identifying that the greater the presence of anxiety symptoms, the greater the effect of IVR‐SRB in reducing these symptoms; its effect is present from scores of 2.9 (Goldberg‐12). There were no changes in well‐being.

Conclusion

IVR‐SRB is recognized as a great intervention tool among elderly population, showing its multidimensional approach capacity, properly responding to the reduction of symptoms associated with mental disorders.
How do insurance firms respond to financial risk sharing regulations? Evidence from the Affordable Care Act
Authors: Sacks Daniel W. , Vu Khoa , Huang Tsan‐Yao , Karaca‐Mandic Pinar
Published: April 2021

Many insurance markets have reinstated premium stabilization programs to ensure financial protection from market volatility. In this paper, we focus on one such regulation—risk corridors (RCs)—in the context of the Health Insurance Marketplaces established under the Affordable Care Act. We develop a model to show how the program provided incentives for some insurers to lower their premiums. The RCs program was defunded unexpectedly for coverage year 2016, before its legislated end in 2016. Consistent with the model, we find that making a RCs claim before the program ended is associated with higher premium growth after the program's demise. The model and empirical evidence are consistent with the view that the end of the RCs program contributed to premium growth in the Marketplaces.
Organizational climate for safe and effective inter‐unit handoffs in Japanese hospitals
Authors: Gu Xiuzhu , Itoh Kenji
Published: April 2021

Objectives

To extract the organizational climate factors that contribute to safe and effective inter‐unit patient handoffs, as well as to capture their crucial characteristics in the context of current Japanese hospitals.

Methods

A questionnaire survey was conducted among nursing staff in 31 general hospitals, collecting a total of 5117 valid responses (69% response rate).

Results

A five‐factor model was established to determine the inter‐unit handoff climate within hospitals. This comprised information and responsibility‐related risk, role understanding, communication, handoff environment, and guidelines and process. Based on nursing staff perceptions, the inter‐unit handoff climate in Japanese hospitals were generally found to be moderate or moderate‐to‐high levels across all five of the factors. Nursing staff's perceptions of all five climate factors differed significantly across hospitals and work units, rather than working conditions (full‐time vs. part‐time) or professions (nurse vs. nurse assistant). All five handoff factors were verified their significant impacts on patient safety awareness and handoff quality. Furthermore, in hospitals where staff perceptions of handoff climate were more positive, information was transferred more effectively.

Conclusions

An inter‐unit handoff climate structure was extracted and verified its impact on handoff quality and safety. Due to moderate climate levels in Japanese hospitals, as well as background factors such as low risk awareness among staff and busy situations, promoting a more positive organizational culture is suggested for creating safer and more effective inter‐unit handoffs. Improving the current handoff guidelines and processes in hospitals and using non‐licensed assistive staff more effectively are also recommended.
Subalpine forest water use behaviour and evapotranspiration during two hydrologically contrasting growing seasons in the Canadian Rockies
Authors: Langs Lindsey E. , Petrone Richard M. , Pomeroy John W.
Published: April 2021

Hydrological processes in mountain headwater basins are changing as climate and vegetation change. Interactions between hydrological processes and subalpine forest ecological function are important to mountain water supplies due to their control on evapotranspiration (ET). Improved understanding of the sensitivity of these interactions to seasonal and interannual changes in snowmelt and summer rainfall is needed as these interactions can impact forest growth, succession, health, and susceptibility to wildfire. To better understand this sensitivity, this research examined ET for a sub‐alpine forest in the Canadian Rockies over two contrasting growing seasons and quantified the contribution of transpiration (T) from the younger tree population to overall stand ET. The younger population was focused on to permit examination of trees that have grown under the effect of recent climate change and will contribute to treeline migration, and subalpine forest densification and succession. Research sites were located at Fortress Mountain Research Basin, Kananaskis, Alberta, where the subalpine forest examined is composed of Abies lasiocarpa (Subalpine fir) and Picea engelmannii (Engelmann spruce). Seasonal changes in water availability from snowmelt, precipitation, soil moisture reserves yielded stark differences in T and ET between 2016 and 2017. ET was higher in the drier year (2017), which had late snowmelt and lower summer rainfall than in the wetter year (2016) that had lower snowmelt and a rainy summer, highlighting the importance of spring snowmelt recharge of soil moisture. However, stand T of the younger trees (73% of forest population) was greater (64 mm) in 2016 (275 mm summer rainfall) than 2017 (39 mm T, 147 mm summer rainfall), and appears to be sensitive to soil moisture decreases in fall, which are largely a function of summer period rainfall. Relationships between subalpine forest water use and different growing season and antecedent (snowmelt period) hydrological conditions clarify the interactions between forest water use and alpine hydrology, which can lead to better anticipation of the hydrological response of subalpine forest‐dominated basins to climate variability and change.
Contrasting physical and chemical conditions of two rock glacier springs
Authors: Brighenti Stefano , Engel Michael , Tolotti Monica , Bruno Maria Cristina , Wharton Geraldene , Comiti Francesco , Tirler Werner , Cerasino Leonardo , Bertoldi Walter
Published: April 2021

Rock glaciers are increasingly influencing the hydrology and water chemistry of Alpine catchments. During three consecutive summers (2017–2019), we monitored by recording probes and fortnightly/monthly field campaigns the physical and chemical conditions of two rock glacier springs (ZRG, SRG) in the Zay and Solda/Sulden catchments (Eastern Italian Alps). The springs have contrasting hydrological conditions with ZRG emerging with evident ponding (pond‐like), and SRG being a typical high‐elevation seep (stream‐like). Water temperature was constantly low (mean 1.2°C, standard deviation 0.1°C) at both springs. Concentrations of major ions (dominated by SO42−, HCO3−, Ca2+ and Mg2+) and trace elements (As, Sr, Ba, U, Rb) increased, and water became more enriched in heavy stable isotopes (δ18O, δ2H) towards autumn. This solute and isotopic enrichment had an asymptotic trend at SRG, and a unimodal pattern at ZRG, where peaks occurred 60–80 days after the snowmelt end. Wavelet analysis of electrical conductivity (EC) and water temperature records revealed daily cycles only at SRG, and significant weekly/biweekly fluctuations at both springs attributable to oscillations of meteorological conditions. Several rainfall events triggered a transient (0.5–2 h) EC drop (of 5–240 μS cm−1) and water temperature rise (of 0.2–1.4°C) at SRG (dilution and warming), whereas only intense rainfall events occasionally increased EC (by 15–85 μS cm−1) at ZRG (solute enrichment and thermal buffering), with a long‐lasting effect (6–48 h). Building on previous research, we suggest that rock glacier springs with differing flow conditions, that is, stream‐like and pond‐like, have contrasting fluctuations of water parameters at different timescales. Thus, for pond‐like springs, peaks of EC/solute concentrations might indicate a seasonal window of major permafrost thaw. Our quantitative description of the hydrochemical seasonality in rock glacier outflows and the physical and chemical response to precipitation events provides relevant information for water management in mountain areas under climate change.