bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interfacial Regulation of Electron‐enhanced Co2P−CuP2 Sheet‐like Heterostructure as a Robust Bifunctional Electrocatalyst for Overall Water Splitting and Zn−H2O Cell
Authors: Wang Lixia , Zhao Yunru , Huang Zhiyang , Rao Xianfa , Guo Man , Isimjan Tayirjan Taylor , Yang Xiulin
Published: February 2022

Constructing the precious metal‐free bifunctional electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is highly desirable for overall water splitting and energy conversion devices in an alkaline medium. Here, the interface regulation strategy aims to synthesize a sheet‐like Co2P−CuP2 heterostructure supported on nickel foam (NF) through hydrothermal reaction, electrodeposition and phosphating treatment. The Co2P−CuP2/NF exhibits extraordinary electrocatalytic performance with overpotentials of 220 mV and 93 mV for OER and HER at a current density of 10 mA cm−2, respectively. Remarkably, an electrolyzer cell originated from Co2P−CuP2/NF electrodes required an ultralow cell voltage of 1.77 V@500 mA cm−2 and 2.38 V@1000 mA cm−2 for overall water splitting with prominent stability of at least 160 h. In addition, the Zn−H2O cell is assembled with Co2P−CuP2/NF as the cathode, achieving a high power density of 19.8 mW cm−2 and long‐term stability of 120 h. The electron transfer between Co and Cu species in the Co2P−CuP2/NF heterojunction can effectively improve the interaction between the active sites and the intermediates, thereby enhancing the electrocatalytic activity. This work opens up new insights into the preparation of highly active and durable bimetallic phosphide catalysts for water splitting and Zn−H2O cells.
Melt Emulsions: Influence of the Cooling Procedure on Crystallization and Recrystallization of Emulsion Droplets and their Influence on Dispersion Viscosity upon Storage
Authors: Reiner Jasmin , Ly Tran T. , Liu Lingyue , Karbstein Heike P.
Published: February 2022

Emulsions with crystalline dispersed phase are widely used formulations in life sciences. Unfortunately, these products often are unstable resulting in changes of their rheological behavior. These changes could be linked to shape transformations of crystallized droplets, depending on the cooling rate in their production and temperature of storage. In a thermo‐optical method, shape changes were investigated in a broad range of constant cooling rates or cooling rate ramps close to industrial processes. Cooling at slow to moderate cooling rates (0.1–50 K min−1), as found in typical stirred vessel tanks, induced self‐shaping of droplets during crystallization, which resulted in platelet‐like particles and fibers, deviating greatly from the formerly spherical shape. In contrast, fast cooling as found in heat exchangers resulted in mostly spherical shapes less prone to recrystallization‐induced instabilities.
Equilibrium and thermodynamic study of trichloroethylene adsorption on activated carbon in a fluidized bed and its thermal regeneration
Authors: Nikam Shradha , Mandal Debapriya
Published: February 2022

Volatile organic compounds (VOC), used as solvents in industries, are major sources of air pollution. Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a chlorinated VOC widely used in industries. TCE vapours are toxic in nature and adversely affect human health and the surrounding environment when exposed over the threshold limit value for a long duration. Adsorption of TCE vapours using activated carbon as an adsorbent in a fluidized bed and its thermal regeneration is a viable, effective, and economic technology for its separation from air. However, before designing such a system, the equilibrium and thermodynamic study of the adsorption of TCE vapour on activated carbon is important. In this study, the dynamic adsorption of TCE vapour was carried out in a fluidized bed using nitrogen as the carrier gas. The effect of operating conditions, including particle size of activated carbon (212–710 μm), flowrate of nitrogen (carrier gas), adsorption temperature (303–353 K), and the concentration of TCE vapour in nitrogen at the inlet (25–85 mg/L) on the adsorption capacity of TCE on the fluidized bed of activated carbon, was examined. The experimental results obtained were analyzed using the Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms. The thermodynamic study showed that the adsorption of TCE was spontaneous, exothermic, and physical in nature. The effect of regeneration temperature and purge gas flowrate on the renewal of used activated carbon was also studied.
Biochemical Screening of Potent Zika Virus Protease Inhibitors
Authors: Coelho Camila , Gallo Gloria , Hardy Leon , Bottazzi Maria Elena , Campos Claudia , Würtele Martin
Published: February 2022

As the Zika virus protease is an essential and well‐established target for the development of antiviral agents, we biochemically screened for inhibitors using a purified recombinantly expressed form of this enzyme. As a result, we were able to identify 10 new Zika virus protease inhibitors. These compounds are natural products and showed strong inhibition in the biochemical assays. Inhibitory constants values for the compounds ranged from 5 nM to 8 μM. Among the most potent inhibitors are flavonoids like irigenol hexa‐acetate (Ki=0.28 μM), katacine (Ki=0.26 μM), theaflavin gallate (Ki=0.40 μM) and hematein (Ki=0.33 μM). Inhibitors from other groups of natural products include sennoside A (Ki=0.19 μM) and gossypol (Ki=0.70 μM). Several of the obtained compounds are known for their beneficial health effects and have acceptable pharmacokinetic characteristics. Thus, they could be of interest as lead compounds for the development of important and essential Zika antiviral drugs.
Is the presence of tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes predictive of outcomes in patients with melanoma?
Authors: Morrison Steven L. , Han Gang , Elenwa Faith , Vetto John T. , Fowler Graham , Leong Stanley P. , Kashani‐Sabet Mohammed , Pockaj Barbara A. , Kosiorek Heidi E. , Zager Jonathan S. , Sondak Vernon K. , Messina Jane L. , Mozzillo Nicola , Schneebaum Schlomo , Han Dale ,   for the Sentinel Lymph Node Working Group
Published: February 2022

Background

The significance of tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in melanoma is debated. This article presents a multicenter, retrospective study assessing the predictive and prognostic value of TILs.

Methods

The Sentinel Lymph Node Working Group database was queried from 1993 to 2018 for cases with known TIL data. TILs were categorized as absent or present, which included nonbrisk (NB), brisk (B), and present but unspecified TIL levels. Clinicopathologic factors were correlated with TILs, sentinel lymph node (SLN) status, and melanoma‐specific survival (MSS).

Results

Overall, 3203 patients were included. The median thickness was 1.5 mm, and 469 cases had SLN metastases. TILs were present in 2458 cases (76.7%), with NB, B, and unspecified TILs seen in 1691 (68.8%), 691 (28.1%), and 76 (3.1%), respectively. Multivariable analysis showed that the presence of TILs significantly predicted a negative SLN biopsy (P < .05). The median follow‐up was 25.2 months. MSS was significantly better for cases with TILs than cases without TILs (P < .001). According to multivariable analysis, age, gender, thickness, mitotic rate, ulceration, lymphovascular invasion, and SLN status were significantly prognostic of MSS (all P values < .05). Although TILs were not prognostic of MSS, when multiple imputation was used and the SLN status was excluded, the presence of TILs was significantly prognostic of improved MSS (hazard ratio, 0.78; 95% confidence interval, 0.64‐0.95; P = .0154).

Conclusions

TILs are a favorable marker because their presence significantly predicts a negative SLN, and the absence of TILs may be a prognostic marker of worse survival in patients with a positive SLN but not a negative SLN. TILs may also serve as a prognostic marker of survival when the SLN status is not considered.
Association between the amount of artificial hydration and quality of dying among terminally ill patients with cancer: The East Asian Collaborative Cross‐Cultural Study to Elucidate the Dying Process
Authors: Wu Chien‐Yi , Chen Ping‐Jen , Cheng Shao‐Yi , Suh Sang‐Yeon , Huang Hsien‐Liang , Lin Wen‐Yuan , Hiratsuka Yusuke , Kim Sun‐Hyun , Yamaguchi Takashi , Morita Tatsuya , Tsuneto Satoru , Mori Masanori ,   EASED Investigators
Published: February 2022

Background

Artificial hydration (AH) is a challenging issue in terminally ill patients with cancer, because it influences patients' symptoms control, quality of life, and quality of dying (QOD). To date, it is not clear how much AH supply is proper for imminently dying patients. This study aimed to investigate the association between the amount of AH and QOD.

Methods

This study is part of the East Asian Collaborative Cross‐Cultural Study to Elucidate the Dying Process (EASED) conducted in Japan, Korea, and Taiwan from January 2017 to September 2018. Patients' demographics, symptoms, and managements on admission to palliative care units (PCUs) and before death were recorded. The AH amount was classified into different groups by 250‐mL intervals to compare their difference. The Good Death Scale (GDS) was used to measure QOD, with patients classified into higher or lower QOD groups using GDS = 12 as the cutoff point. We used logistic regression analysis to assess the association between AH amount and QOD.

Results

In total, 1530 patients were included in the analysis. Country, religion, spiritual well‐being, fatigue, delirium, dyspnea, AH, and antibiotics use before death were significantly associated with QOD. After conducting regression analysis, patients administered with 250 to 499 mL AH had significantly better QOD (odds ratio, 2.251; 95% confidence interval, 1.072‐4.730; P = .032) than those without AH.

Conclusions

AH use impacts the QOD of terminally ill patients with cancer admitted to PCUs. Communication with patients and their families on appropriate AH use has a positive effect on QOD.

Lay Summary

Our prospective cross‐cultural multicenter study aims to investigate the relationship between artificial hydration (AH) amount and quality of dying among terminally ill patients with cancer.

The findings reveal that country, religion, spiritual well‐being, fatigue, delirium, dyspnea, AH, and antibiotics use before death were significantly associated with quality of death (QOD).

After multivariable logistic regression, patients administered with AH amount 250 to 499 mL had significantly better QOD (odds ratio, 2.251; 95% confidence interval, 1.072‐4.730; P = .032) than those without AH.

Communication with patients and their families regarding AH is recommended as it may help them be better prepared for the end‐of‐life stage and achieve a good death.
Validation of p16 immunocytochemical staining on alcohol‐fixed aspirate smears: A single‐institutional study with review of the literature
Authors: Doonan Katie , Ambaye Abiy , Buskey Alexa , Mitchell Jeannette , Ciolino Allison L.
Published: February 2022

Background

Determining human papillomavirus (HPV) status in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma can have a significant impact on treatment and clinical outcomes. Because fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) is typically an initial diagnostic modality in a patient workup for primary or suspected metastatic disease, immunostaining for p16 on FNA material is a promising option to determine HPV tumor status, possibly avoiding biopsies or excisions. In this study, the authors investigated the possibility of using alcohol‐fixed smears as a reliable alternative for reporting p16 status.

Methods

Twenty HPV‐associated tumors and 20 non‐HPV–associated tumors were identified using the gold‐standard histologic cutoff for positivity of ≥70% strong nuclear and cytoplasmic staining. Matched FNA specimens were identified for comparison staining, and a positive p16 result was rendered on a single aspirate smear using the same cutoff of ≥70%.

Results

On alcohol‐fixed cytology smears, 16 of 20 (80%) HPV‐associated tumors showed positive p16 staining in ≥70% tumor cells. Four cases showed lower level (30%‐60%) nuclear and cytoplasmic staining. Nineteen of 20 (95%) non‐HPV–associated tumors showed no or minimal p16 staining (0%‐10%), and 1 case had a p16‐equivocal cytology result.

Conclusions

The authors performed immunocytochemical validation for p16 using alcohol‐fixed smears and observed promising results, offering this technique as a potential alternative to formalin‐fixed tissue in the appropriate clinical context. By using a positive staining cutoff of ≥70%, this technique offers 80% sensitivity and 95% specificity for detecting HPV‐associated tumors. Although it was not performed in the current study, HPV‐specific testing on available formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded tissue should be considered in cases with equivocal or negative p16 staining.
Gene Therapy for Rare Neurological Disorders
Authors: Flotte Terence R. , Gessler Dominic J.
Published: February 2022

There are over 7,000 diseases that are individually rare, but collectively affect millions of people worldwide. They are very commonly neurologic single‐gene disorders. Recent advances in recombinant adeno‐associated virus vectors have enabled breakthroughs, including US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)–approved gene therapies for inherited retinal dystrophy due to RPE65 mutation and spinal muscular atrophy. A range of other gene therapies for rare neurologic diseases are at various stages of development. Future development of gene editing technologies promises further to broaden the potential for more patients with these disorders to benefit from innovative therapies.
Mechanoenzymatic Reactions Involving Polymeric Substrates or Products
Authors: Arciszewski Jane , Auclair Karine
Published: February 2022

Mechanoenzymology is an emerging field in which mechanical mixing is used to sustain enzymatic reactions in low‐solvent or solvent‐free mixtures. Many enzymes have been reported that thrive under such conditions. Considering the central role of biopolymers and synthetic polymers in our society, this minireview highlights the use of mechanoenzymology for the synthesis or depolymerization of oligomeric or polymeric materials. In contrast to traditional in‐solution reactions, solvent‐free mechanoenzymology has the advantages of avoiding solubility issues, proceeding in a minimal volume, and reducing solvent waste while potentially improving the reaction efficiency and accessing new reactivity. It is expected that this strategy will continue to gain popularity and find more applications.
Impact of Pore Structure on Two‐Electron Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon Materials: Rotating Ring‐Disk Electrode vs. Flow Cell
Authors: Xu Hui , Lv Xue‐Hui , Wang Hao‐Yu , Ye Jin‐Yu , Yuan Jiayin , Wang Yu‐Cheng , Zhou Zhi‐You , Sun Shi‐Gang
Published: February 2022

The impact of pore structure on the two‐electron oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in nitrogen‐doped carbon materials is currently under debate, and previous studies are mainly limited to the rotating ring‐disk electrode (RRDE) rather than the practical flow cell (FC) system. In this study, assisted by a group of reliable pore models, the impact of two pore structure parameters, that is, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area (SBET) and micropore surface fraction (fmicro), on ORR activity and selectivity are investigated in both RRDE and FC. The ORR mass activity correlates positively to the SBET in the RRDE and FC because a higher SBET can host more active sites. The H2O2 selectivity is independent of fmicro in the RRDE but correlates negatively to fmicro in the FC. The inconsistency results from different states of the electrode in the RRDE and the FC. These insights will guide the design of carbon materials for H2O2 synthesis.
Selective Photocatalytic Reduction of CO2 to Syngas Over Tunable Metal‐Perovskite Interface
Authors: Zhang Li , Yang Yanling , Tian Jinshu , Li Jianhui , Chen Gui , Zhou Liujiang , Sun Yifei , Qiu Yongfu
Published: February 2022

The extensive emission of CO2 results in critical environmental issues, such as global warming. Photocatalytic CO2 conversion is a meaningful route to convert CO2 into useful chemicals. However, the highly selective reduction of CO2 with the avoidance of hydrogen evolution is still challenging. Herein, the photocatalytic reduction CO2 to synthesis gas (syngas) was achieved on a metal Ag socketed perovskite LaFeO3 (LFO) catalytic interface prepared by an in‐situ exsolution method. The conduction band of Ag‐exsolved LFO is more negative than LFO, benefiting efficient CO2 reduction. By tuning the dopant Ag cation in the lattice to nanoparticles pinned on the surface, the CO formation rate was improved around five‐fold from 0.51 to 2.41 μmol g−1 h−1. Meanwhile, the H2/CO molar ratio also showed strong dependence on the modality of Ag at the metal‐perovskite interface. The design offers a promising pathway for transforming CO2 to valuable chemicals based on efficient photocatalysts design.
Variable direction‐based self‐interference full‐duplex channel model for underwater acoustic communication systems
Authors: A. Naman Hala , E. Abdelkareem Ammar
Published: February 2022

In‐band full‐duplex (IBFD) underwater acoustic (UWA) communication can approximately double the capacity of UWA communication networks, which is particularly attractive in UWA systems due to the severely band‐limited nature of the channels encountered. In this paper, a geometry‐based channel model for self‐interference (SI) cancelation in an IBFD modem was proposed. Due to the movement of things, the variable full‐duplex (FD) modem direction with deviation reaches 5° is designed to meet the potential change in the underwater environment. In addition, the settings of direct and multipath reflections between a transmitter (T) and a receiver (R) are considered to present the propagation characteristics of the UWA channels. The numerical simulation results match the conventional transmission loss and propagation delay results, showing that the proposed model can characterize the UWA environment. According to preliminary findings, the propagation delay of local multipath can reach up to 1.4 s before it attains the noise floor level, with transmission loss reaching 80 dB at different angles.
Estradiol reduces ACE2 and TMPRSS2 mRNA levels in A549 human lung epithelial cells
Authors: Baristaite Gabriele , Gurwitz David
Published: February 2022

Epidemiologic studies suggest slightly higher risk of severe Covid‐19 symptoms and fatalities following SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in men compared with women from similar age groups. This bias was suggested to reflect differences in the male and female immune system regulation, driven by different sex hormone levels in men and women, in particular, higher plasma estradiol in women. SARS‐CoV‐2 infects respiratory tract epithelial cells by binding to their cell membrane ACE2, followed by priming for cell entry by the host cell membrane serine protease TMPRSS2. The cell protease FURIN facilitates cell exit of mature SARS‐CoV‐2 virions. Our study examined the effects of in vitro treatment of A549 human lung epithelial cells with 17‐β‐estradiol on mRNA expression of genes coding for these proteins. Treatment of A549 human lung epithelial cells with 17‐β‐estradiol reduced the cellular mRNA levels of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 mRNA, while not affecting FURIN expression. Our findings suggest that 17‐β‐estradiol may reduce SARS‐CoV‐2 infection of lung epithelial cells, which may in part explain the reduced incidence of severe Covid‐19 and fatalities among women compared with men of similar age. Studies into the molecular pathways by which 17‐β‐estradiol reduces ACE2 and TMPRSS2 mRNA expression in lung epithelial cells are needed for assessing its potential protective value against severe Covid‐19.
Periostin renders cardiomyocytes vulnerable to acute myocardial infarction via pro‐apoptosis
Authors: Hu Yanlei , Wang Xiaohang , Ding Fuyan , Liu Chao , Wang Shupeng , Feng Tao , Meng Shuping
Published: February 2022

Aims

As a severe cardiovascular disease, acute myocardial infarction (AMI) could trigger congestive heart failure. Periostin (Postn) has been elucidated to be dramatically up‐regulated in myocardial infarction. Abundant expression of Postn was also observed in the infarct border of human and mouse hearts with AMI. This work is dedicated to explore the mechanism through which Postn exerts its functions on AMI.

Methods and results

The expression of Postn in AMI mice and hypoxia‐treated neonatal mouse cardiomyocytes (NMCMs) was quantified by qRT‐PCR. The biological functions of Postn in AMI were explored by trypan blue, TUNEL, flow cytometry analysis, and JC‐1 assays. Luciferase activity or MS2‐RIP or RNA pull‐down assay was performed to study the interaction between genes. Postn exhibited up‐regulated expression in AMI mice and hypoxia‐treated NMCMs. Functional assays indicated that cell apoptosis in NMCMs was promoted via the treatment of hypoxia. And Postn shortage could alleviate cell apoptosis in hypoxia‐induced NMCMs. Postn was verified to bind to mmu‐miR‐203‐3p and be down‐regulated by miR‐203‐3p overexpression. Postn and miR‐203‐3p were spotted to coexist with small nucleolar RNA host gene 8 (Snhg8) in RNA‐induced silencing complex. The affinity between Snhg8 and miR‐203‐3p was confirmed. Afterwards, Snhg8 was validated to promote cell apoptosis in hypoxia‐induced NMCMs partially dependent on Postn. Furthermore, vascular endothelial growth factor A (Vegfa) was revealed to bind to miR‐203‐3p and be implicated in the Snhg8‐mediated AML cell apoptosis and angiogenesis.

Conclusions

miR‐203‐3p availability is antagonized by Snhg8 for Postn and Vegfa‐induced AMI progression.
Relationship between body roundness index and the risk of heart failure in Chinese adults: the Kailuan cohort study
Authors: Wang Jianing , Wu Mingyang , Wu Shouling , Tian Yaohua
Published: February 2022

Aims

Body roundness index (BRI) is an obesity‐related anthropometric index that combines waist circumference and height to better reflect body fat. This study aims to prospectively explore the relationship between BRI and the risk of heart failure (HF) based on a community‐based cohort.

Methods and results

A total of 140 362 individuals without tumour and HF at baseline were included from the Kailuan cohort study. Their demographic information, anthropometric parameters, and biochemical indexes were collected or measured. The participants were followed up until 31 December 2016 or death or diagnosed with HF, whichever came first. Cox proportional hazards model was used to calculate the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for incident HF. Restricted cubic spline analysis was applied to further evaluate the possible non‐linear dose–response relationship between BRI and the risk of HF. After a median follow‐up period of 9.84 years, we identified 1990 HF events. The participants were grouped into four groups according to the quartiles of BRI (Q1: ≤2.93, Q2: 2.93–3.59, Q3: 3.59–4.38, and Q4: ≥4.38). After adjustment for potential confounders, compared with the group of participants in the lowest quartile of BRI, the adjusted HRs (95%CI) were 1.03 (95%CI: 0.87–1.22), 1.27 (95%CI: 1.07–1.49), and 1.50 (95%CI: 1.26–1.78) for subjects in the Q2, Q3, and Q4 groups, respectively. With each standard deviation (here is 1.10) of BRI increasing, the risk of HF increased by 18% (HR: 1.18, 95%CI: 1.12–1.24). Subgroup analysis indicated that the association between BRI and HF was more prominent in younger people (HR: 2.94, 95%CI: 1.80–4.80) than older (HR: 1.89, 95%CI: 1.57–2.27) (P for interaction < 0.001). A significant linear dose–response relationship between BRI and HF was also observed (P for non‐linearity = 0.730).

Conclusions

Our study suggests that higher BRI is associated with an increased risk of HF. If these findings can be replicated in other populations, future studies need to examine whether lowering the BRI may lower the risk of incident HF.
Association of preoperative functional disability with chronic postsurgical pain: A prospective observational study
Authors: Uyama Kayo , Ida Mitsuru , Wang Xiaoying , Naito Yusuke , Kawaguchi Masahiko
Published: February 2022

Background

Chronic postsurgical pain negatively affects postoperative recovery. We aimed to assess the association between preoperative functional disability and chronic postsurgical pain.

Methods

This secondary analysis of a prospective observational study included 920 inpatients aged ≥55 years undergoing elective abdominal surgery. We assessed functional disability using the 12‐item World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 before surgery and measured postoperative pain using a numerical rating scale at a postanaesthetic clinic 3 months and 1 year after surgery. We performed multiple logistic regression analysis to determine associations with chronic postsurgical pain 1 year after surgery. We analysed the sequential pain score using a mixed‐effects model in patients with and without preoperative functional disability. The primary outcome in this study was chronic postsurgical pain and its associated factors with a focus on preoperative functional disability. The secondary outcome was pain trajectories in patients with and without preoperative functional disability.

Results

Of the 899 patients included in the analysis, 11.9% had chronic postsurgical pain 1 year later. The multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that preoperative functional disability was associated with this outcome (OR 2.80, 95% CI 1.70–4.59) as well as use of preoperative pain medication (OR 2.74, 95% CI 1.24–6.03) and pain numerical rating scale at the postanaesthetic clinic (OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.10–1.29). The pain trajectories were different in the presence or absence of functional disability (p < 0.001) and the time of measurement (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Preoperative functional disability was associated with chronic postsurgical pain and pain trajectories.

Significance

Our study showed that in patients who undergo elective abdominal surgery, 12% with preoperative functional disability experience chronic postsurgical pain after 1 year. Preoperative functional disability is associated with chronic postsurgical pain, use of preoperative pain medications and acute postoperative pain. Patients with preoperative functional disability have higher pain numerical rating scale scores at any postoperative measurement point.
Oligodendrogenesis is a key process for cognitive performance improvement induced by voluntary physical activity
Authors: Eugenin von Bernhardi Jaime , Dimou Leda
Published: February 2022

Physical activity (PA) promotes the proliferation of neural stem cells and enhances neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus resulting in hippocampal circuit remodeling and cognitive enhancement. Nonetheless, knowledge of other neural progenitors affected by PA and the mechanisms through which they could contribute to circuit plasticity and cognitive enhancement are still poorly understood. In this work we demonstrated that NG2‐glia, also known as oligodendrocyte progenitor cells, show enhanced proliferation and differentiation in response to voluntary PA in a brain region‐dependent manner in adult mice. Surprisingly, preventing NG2‐glia differentiation during enhanced PA abolishes the exercise‐associated cognitive improvement without affecting neurogenesis or baseline learning capacity. Thus, here we provided new evidence highlighting the requirement of oligodendrogenesis for exercise induced‐cognition enhancement.
Effect of acute shade on the canopy morphology and evapotranspiration rates of three turfgrasses
Authors: Duan Huanyun , Fontanier Charles
Published: February 2022

Understanding the comparative evapotranspiration (ET) rates of commonly used turfgrass species in a shaded environment would improve irrigation scheduling recommendations and contribute towards urban water conservation. The objectives of this study were (a) to compare the ET rates of selected turfgrasses under two irradiance levels and (b) to determine if shade‐induced changes in ET rates were related to changes in leaf morphology. An 8‐wk greenhouse experiment was conducted in fall 2017 with ‘Latitude 36 Turf Bermudagrass’ hybrid bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. × Cynodon Transvaalensis Burtt Davy], ‘Falcon IV’ tall fescue [Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.)] ‘Dumort., nom. cons.’, and ‘Meyer’ Japanese lawngrass (Zoysia japonica Steud.) grown in lysimeters 15 cm in diameter. Plants were subjected to shaded conditions (55% nominal shade fabric) or a control (ambient greenhouse conditions plus supplemental lights). Plants were evaluated for specific leaf area, clipping yield, and ET rate over the study period. Turfgrass ET rates for tall fescue, Japanese lawngrass, and hybrid bermudagrass declined under shade by 12.8, 23.1, and 28.9%, suggesting that the ET rate for tall fescue is less sensitive to changes in light intensity. These results suggest irrigation scheduling methods for shaded landscapes may be influenced by species response to changes in light intensity.
Computer‐aided Veress needle guidance using endoscopic optical coherence tomography and convolutional neural networks
Authors: Wang Chen , Reynolds Justin C. , Calle Paul , Ladymon Avery D. , Yan Feng , Yan Yuyang , Ton Sam , Fung Kar‐ming , Patel Sanjay G. , Yu Zhongxin , Pan Chongle , Tang Qinggong
Published: February 2022

During laparoscopic surgery, the Veress needle is commonly used in pneumoperitoneum establishment. Precise placement of the Veress needle is still a challenge for the surgeon. In this study, a computer‐aided endoscopic optical coherence tomography (OCT) system was developed to effectively and safely guide Veress needle insertion. This endoscopic system was tested by imaging subcutaneous fat, muscle, abdominal space, and the small intestine from swine samples to simulate the surgical process, including the situation with small intestine injury. Each tissue layer was visualized in OCT images with unique features and subsequently used to develop a system for automatic localization of the Veress needle tip by identifying tissue layers (or spaces) and estimating the needle‐to‐tissue distance. We used convolutional neural networks (CNNs) in automatic tissue classification and distance estimation. The average testing accuracy in tissue classification was 98.53 ± 0.39%, and the average testing relative error in distance estimation reached 4.42 ± 0.56% (36.09 ± 4.92 μm).
Applying culturalist methodologies to discern COVID‐19's impact on communities of color
Authors: Grills Cheryl , Carlos Chavez Fiorella L. , Saw Anne , Walters Karina L. , Burlew Kathleen , Randolph Cunningham Suzanne M. , Rosario Cristalis Capielo , Samoa Raynald , Jackson‐Lowman Huberta
Published: February 2022

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic has disproportionately impacted communities of color (CoC) amid increasing incidents of racial injustices and racism. In this article, we describe our culturalist methodologies for designing and implementing a multi‐ethnic, interdisciplinary national needs assessment developed in partnership with CoC. Instead of a typical western‐centric social science approach that typically ignores and perpetuates structural racism and settler colonialism, the research team implemented culturalist and community‐partnered approaches that were further contextualized to the context of structural racism and settler colonialism. The culturalist approach yielded two sets of themes both related to the impact of the pandemic on CoC. The first set involved syndemic factors that contribute to the adverse impact of COVID‐19. These include historical trauma; racism, racial stress, and discrimination; and cultural mistrust. The second set consisted of factors that potentially mitigate the impact of the COVID‐19. These include cultural protective factors; community engagement; communal ethos, and data disaggregation. Our methodologies and the resulting findings encourage research praxis that uplifts the shared effects of the social determinants of health while honoring unique cultural and contextual experiences—a lesson that social science researchers largely have yet to learn.
Possible impacts of spring subtropical Indian Ocean Dipole on the summer tropical cyclone genesis frequency over the western North Pacific
Authors: Zhou Qun , Zhang Runyu
Published: February 2022

The linkage between the spring subtropical Indian Ocean Dipole (SIOD) events and tropical cyclone genesis frequency over the western North Pacific (WNP) in the following summer is investigated in this study. It is found that their correlation is positive and statistically significant with a greater number of TCs genesis over the WNP in summer of a positive SIOD year. After removing the ENSO effects, diagnostic analysis reveals that under positive SIOD conditions the summertime WNP monsoon trough becomes intensified. Correspondingly, there are enhanced lower‐level vorticity, reduced vertical zonal wind shear, increased middle‐level relative humidity and vertical velocity over the WNP, conductive to generation of more TCs. Further examination indicates that the Mascarene high and Australian high are strengthened successively from spring to subsequent summer in a positive SIOD year, contributing to the maintenance of SIOD‐related SST dipole anomalies in southern Indian Ocean due to SST–wind–evaporation feedback mechanism. The resulting cyclonic anomaly is formed at lower troposphere over the WNP induced by the prominently enhanced cross‐equator airflows and the related Ekman upwelling. At upper troposphere, there tend to be remarkably WNP divergence anomalies of the interhemispheric vertical circulation forced by the summertime SST patterns closely associated with positive SIOD cases. By contrast, the monsoon trough is weakened and the dynamic and thermodynamic conditions are unfavourable for the WNP TC genesis in summer of a negative SIOD year, in agreement with a lower‐level anticyclonic anomaly and suppressed deep convection over the WNP forced by the SIOD‐related SST anomalies.
A comparison of global surface temperature variability, extremes and warming trend using reanalysis datasets and CMST‐Interim
Authors: Yang Yang , Li Qingxiang , Song Zhaoyang , Sun Wenbin , Dong Wenjie
Published: February 2022

Reanalysis data are widely used to investigate long‐term surface temperature changes due to insufficient spatial coverage of observational data. However, because of the limitations of data assimilation and model performance in the reanalysis datasets, it is essential to evaluate the quality of the reanalysis datasets. Based on the newly released version of China global Merged Surface Temperature dataset, Interim version (CMST‐Interim), the performance of five reanalysis datasets (ERA5, NCEP/NCAR R1, JRA‐55, CERA‐20C, and 20CRv3), covering more than 50 years, is compared in terms of long‐term variation bias, warming trend, and the consistency of the extreme temperature years from the period 1958–2010. The results reflect that the above reanalysis datasets have reasonable representativeness of global temperature change. ERA5 and 20CRv3 perform better than the other reanalysis datasets, with relatively small deviation, their warming trends are closer to the observation results, the appearance of extreme temperature years are also more consistent with the observed, and CERA‐20C is the next. JRA‐55 is slightly better in detecting the extremely cold years, while NCEP/NCAR R1 is slightly worse in biases but performs well in high‐temperature years reproduction.
A qualitative analysis of Turkish stakeholders perspective for improving medical tourism
Authors: Collins Ayşe , Medhekar Anita , Şanal Zeynep Göknil
Published: February 2022

This qualitative study explores from Turkish medical tourism stakeholders' perspective the supply‐side driving factors for improving medical tourism services in Turkey and provides positive healthcare experience to medical travelers. Five groups of stakeholders (27 participants) were interviewed: hospitals/medical centers, medical travel‐agencies, medical‐legal regulators, government, and non‐government organizations. Findings show that Turkey has a dual‐sector public and private model of medical tourism service providers. Four interrelated themes with policy implications were generated: medical tourism promotion, logistics and development initiatives, medical cost, hospital quality accreditation, and other issues related to medical‐legal, government incentives for Turkish diaspora, and promoting Turkish medical tourism overseas.
Trends in Positive Surgical Margins in cT1‐T2 Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Robinson Emily M. , Lam Austin S. , Solomon Isaac , Brady Jacob S. , Pang John , Faraji Farhoud , Houlton Jeffrey J. , Futran Neal D. , Barber Brittany R.
Published: February 2022

Objectives/Hypothesis

To evaluate trends in contemporary positive surgical margin incidence in cT1‐T2 oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma and to evaluate factors associated with surgical margin status.

Study Design

Retrospective analysis of large dataset.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of the National Cancer Database.

Results

Between 2004 and 2016, 39,818 patients with cT1 or cT2 oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma received primary curative‐intent surgery. Positive surgical margins were present in 7.95% of patients, and univariable adjusted probability of positive surgical margins over the study period declined by 1% per year (odds ratio [OR], 0.99; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.98–1.0; P = .049). Multivariable regression revealed the annual rate of positive surgical margins declined significantly (OR, 0.95 per year; 95% CI, 0.92–0.97; P < .001). Factors associated with increased odds of positive surgical margins included cT2 disease, subsite, understaged disease, lymphovascular invasion, tumor grade, and positive lymph nodes. Race and socioeconomic status were not associated with surgical margin status. Treatment at an academic center was associated with increased time to definitive surgery (median 35 days IQR 22–50 vs. median 27 days IQR 14–42; P < .001) and a 20% reduction in positive surgical margin rate (OR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.71–0.90; P < .001). Treatment at high‐volume centers was less likely to be associated with positive surgical margins (OR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.74–0.98; P = .02).

Conclusion

Surgical subsite, clinical T and N category, presence of lymphovascular invasion, and histologic grade were independent predictors of positive surgical margins. Patients are increasingly being treated at high‐volume and academic centers. Overall, the rate of positive surgical margins in cT1‐T2 oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma is decreasing.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 132:1962–1970, 2022
Dynamics of soil aggregate‐related C‐N‐P stoichiometric characteristics with stand age and soil depth in Chinese fir plantations
Authors: Tang Lili , Wang Shengqiang
Published: February 2022

Soil C‐N‐P stoichiometry offers an effective way to explore the balance, limitation, cycling, and distribution of chemical elements in Chinese fir plantations. This research aimed to explore how soil organic C (Corg), total N (Ntot), and total P (Ptot) contents and stocks, together with their stoichiometric ratios vary with stand age (3, 9, 17, and 26 years) as well as soil layer (0–10, 10–20, 20–30, and 30–40 cm) at aggregate scales in Chinese fir plantations from Guangxi, China. For Chinese fir plantations of diverse ages, soil aggregate stability, Corg, Ntot, and Ptot contents and stocks, together with C/N, C/P, and N/P ratios, remarkably declined when soil depth increased. Stand age could influence C‐N‐P stoichiometric characteristics in soil, but such effect was more obvious in soil depth of 0–30 cm in comparison to that of 30–40 cm. In 0–30 cm soil layer, Corg and Ntot contents and stocks, together with C/P and N/P ratios, first rose and then reduced during Chinese fir planting; meanwhile, the highest levels could be observed in the 17‐year‐old Chinese fir plantations. However, Ptot content and stock, together with C/N ratio, were not related to the stand age. Overall, the present research helped to understand soil C, N, and P dynamics within a chronosequence of Chinese fir plantations. Also, it provided supplementary information for soil ecological stoichiometry in global terrestrial ecosystems.
Integrating a mixed‐cell cellular automata model and Bayesian belief network for ecosystem services optimization to guide ecological restoration and conservation
Authors: Zhou Shuang , Peng Li
Published: February 2022

An ecosystem is a complex system with a large number of dynamic variables, which poses challenges to the optimization of ecosystem services. However, traditional ecosystem services optimization methods do not take into account the complexity and uncertainty of variables. To address this complexity and uncertainty, we propose an innovative approach using a mixed‐cell cellular automata (MCCA) model and a Bayesian belief network (BBN) model for ecosystem service optimization. This approach was applied to the southern region of Sichuan Province, China, using an existing dataset to simulate land use patterns and predict ecosystem services in 2035 under different development scenarios. To achieve ecological restoration and conservation, we also determined the key factor combinations and key ecological regions at various ecosystem service levels. Results showed that ecological protection scenario design has important significance as a reference for maintaining and ameliorating regional ecosystem services and functions. We also identified that the highest level of ecosystem services was mainly located in the areas with the highest net primary productivity (NPP), the highest slope, the highest forestland area, and low ET. According to these findings, some suggestions for ecological restoration and conservation in key regions were put forward. This approach fully considers the uncertainty of factors; therefore, it can be used as an effective tool for designing ecosystem management strategies.
11‐GHz‐Bandwidth Photonic Radar using MHz Electronics
Authors: Liu Yang , Zhang Ziqian , Burla Maurizio , Eggleton Benjamin J.
Published: February 2022

The ever‐increasing demand for high resolution and real‐time recognition in radar applications has fuelled the development of electronic radars with increased bandwidth, high operation frequency, and fast processing capability. However, the generation and processing of wideband radar signals increase the hardware burden on complex and high‐speed electronics, limiting its capability for applications that demand high spatial resolutions. Progress is being made, photonics‐assisted radars offer higher frequencies but still heavily rely on costly and sophisticated high‐frequency electronic devices such as benchtop digital microwave waveform generators that fundamentally constrain the bandwidth and the practical utility. Here, for the first time, a photonics‐based radar with >11 GHz bandwidth (exceeding 20 GHz without RF antenna bandwidth limitation) driven and processed by simple MHz‐level‐electronics‐based acoustic‐optic modulation is demonstrated, which radically eliminates the requirement for ultra‐fast GHz‐speed electronics for wideband radar signal generation and processing. This wideband radar achieves centimeter‐level spatial resolution and a real‐time imaging rate of 200 frames s−1, allowing for high‐resolution detection of rapidly moving blades of an unmanned aerial vehicle. This radar provides an important technological basis for next‐generation broadband radars with greatly reduced system complexity essential to ubiquitous sensing applications such as autonomous driving, environmental surveillance, and vital sign detection.
A dose–volume constraint (DVC) projection‐based algorithm for IMPT inverse planning optimization
Authors: Gadoue Sherif M. , Toomeh Dolla , Schultze Blake E. , Schulte Reinhard W.
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Provide a projection‐based algorithm to solve the class of optimization problems encountered in intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT). The algorithm can handle percentage dose–volume constraints (DVCs) that are usually found in such problems.

Methods

To seek a feasible solution, the automatic relaxation method was used to project the spot weight vector onto the interval defined by lower and upper bound target dose constraints. The obtained solution was optimized separately based on the objective of each organ at risk (OAR) in addition to maximizing the minimum target dose using the bisection search method using a stopping criterion of 10 cGy. The combined weight was used in the CQ algorithm to solve the split feasibility problem but with a special projection technique due to the nonconvexity of DVCs. The algorithm was applied to four clinical IMPT cases (meningioma, prostate, tongue, and oropharynx) and compared to the corresponding treatment plans optimized in Eclipse.

Results

The treatment plans obtained, for the four cases, using the BCQ‐ARM algorithm have dosimetric endpoints that are similar to their counterparts generated from Eclipse. The algorithm worked equally well with all cases, including the complex head and neck ones. The stopping criterion of 10 cGy results in making the generated plans slightly less optimal (–optimal) rather than optimal, but with the advantage of the possibility of generating a database of plans.

Conclusions

The application of the BCQ‐ARM algorithm to different cases of IMPT plans with DVCs was demonstrated. The algorithm is successful in generating plans that are dosimetrically equivalent to their corresponding Eclipse plans. Thus, it is suitable to generate optimized treatment plans in a clinically reasonable time frame.
Wasser: 1 Molekül, 2 Flüssigkeiten, 23 Festkörper
Authors: Tonauer Christina Maria , Fidler Lilli‐Ruth , Loerting Thomas
Published: February 2022

Ein Festkörper, der in 500 km Tiefe im Erdmantel vorkommt und bei 1500 Grad Celsius immer noch nicht schmilzt – wer denkt da an Eis? Tatsächlich hat Eis VII diese Eigenschaften – und das ist nur eines von vielen Gesichtern des Eises.
Scientists must resist cancel culture
Authors: Krylov Anna I. , Tanzman Jay S. , Frenking Gernot , Gill Peter M. W.
Published: February 2022

Science should reject all forms of censorship and defend the core principle of science – the free exchange of ideas.
Sustainability: flame‐retardant cellulose that is comfortable
Authors: Lehner Sandro , Gaan Sabyasachi
Published: February 2022

Durable and formaldehyde‐free flame‐retardant cellulose has been a challenge over many decades for researchers worldwide. It is now possible to overcome these challenges by forming a phosphorus‐based physical network inside the cellulose matrix.
Das Chemiestudium digitalisieren
Authors: Zbikowski Frauke
Published: February 2022

Mit etwas über 300 000 Euro insgesamt förderte der Fonds der chemischen Industrie im letzten Jahr Projekte für neue Lehr‐Lern‐Methoden an Hochschulen. Diese schaffen vor allem Soft‐ und Hardware an – für Automatisierung im Praktikum, virtuelle Laboratorien oder elektronische Laborbücher.
GDCh‐VAA‐Einkommensumfrage
Authors: Pereira Jaé Angela
Published: February 2022

Hat die Corona‐Pandemie Einfluss auf die Gehaltsentwicklung? Und falls ja, wie hoch fällt dieser aus? Nehmen Sie an der Einkommensumfrage teil und finden Sie es heraus.
An update to collaborating for improving diabetes care in Ealing, London: investment, integration and innovation, years 2011–2020
Authors: Chandok Raj , Baynes Kevin , Birnbaum Maurice
Published: February 2022

More than a decade of investment, integration and innovation in primary and community diabetes care in Ealing, UK, is now showing tangible and sustainable improvements in metrics of good diabetes care. From a low baseline, data from the National Diabetes Audit show improvements in both the care processes delivered and, crucially, the biomedical outcomes achieved in the Three Treatment Targets – for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. This was accomplished while the prevalence of diabetes increased from 6.4% to 9%. Analysis of hospital admissions data suggests that a number of diabetes‐related admissions reduced with possible associated cost savings of greater than £400,000. Factors contributing to these improvements are discussed. Ealing is therefore an exemplar case study for improving diabetes care services within the future Integrated Care Systems. Copyright © 2022 John Wiley & Sons.