bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The bidirectional associations between self‐esteem and problematic eating behaviors in adolescents
Authors: Beckers Desi , Burk William J. , Larsen Junilla K. , Cillessen Antonius H. N.
Published: October 2023

Objective

Theories propose that low self‐esteem and problematic eating behaviors (PEBs) negatively impact each other. While previous studies suggested bidirectional associations between self‐esteem and PEBs, they did not separate within‐person from between‐person associations. Therefore, this prospective study investigated the within‐person bidirectional associations between self‐esteem and four PEBs in adolescence, while accounting for between‐person differences.

Method

We used two independent longitudinal samples of Dutch adolescents, each including three annually collected waves of data. Sample 1 consisted of 1856 adolescents (Baseline: 50.4% males; Mage = 13.79 years, SDage = 0.72), with measures of self‐esteem, emotional eating, restrained eating, and loss of control (LOC) while overeating. Sample 2 consisted of 555 adolescents (Baseline: 49.7% males; Mage = 13.13 years, SDage = 0.68), with measures of self‐esteem and LOC eating. The data were analyzed using random intercept cross‐lagged panel models (CLPMs).

Results

Within persons, lower self‐esteem was associated with higher emotional and restrained eating (both Sample 1) one year later, and vice versa. Self‐esteem did not predict, nor was predicted by, LOC while overeating (Sample 1) or LOC eating (Sample 2). Between persons, self‐esteem was negatively correlated with all PEBs (Samples 1 and 2).

Discussion

We found within‐person bidirectional associations between low self‐esteem and emotional and restrained eating (but not LOC while overeating/LOC eating), and between‐person correlations between low self‐esteem and all PEBs. These results have theoretical and practical implications. Within‐person processes clarify underlying mechanisms that explain the occurrence of PEBs; between‐person associations are important to identify adolescents at risk of PEBs.

Public Significance

While theories indicate that low self‐esteem and PEBs are inversely associated within individuals, empirical studies have not disentangled within‐person processes from between‐person differences. This study addressed this disparity, finding that lower self‐esteem was bidirectionally associated with higher emotional and restrained eating (but not LOC eating) within persons. These findings suggest that enhancing self‐esteem is a viable option for prevention and intervention.
Elevated temperatures shift flower head height distributions and seed dispersal patterns in two invasive thistle species
Authors: Drees Trevor H. , Shea Katriona
Published: October 2023

Climate change may significantly alter how organisms disperse, with implications for population spread and species management. Wind‐dispersed plants have emerged as a useful study system for investigating how climate change affects dispersal, although studies modeling wind dispersal often assume propagules are released from a single point on an individual. This simplifying assumption, while useful, may misestimate dispersal. Here, we investigate the effects of climate change on dispersal distances and spread rates, examining how these quantities shift when accounting for all points of seed release on an individual. Using the wind‐dispersed invasive thistles Carduus nutans and Carduus acanthoides, we quantify temperature‐driven shifts in the distribution of flower head heights using a passive warming field experiment, and estimate how these shifts affect dispersal using the Wald analytical long‐distance (WALD) model; for C. nutans, we use existing demographic data to simulate how these shifts affect population spread rates. We also compare dispersal distances for both warmed and ambient temperature plants, considering the entire distribution of flower head heights versus the common assumption of point‐source seed release at the maximum height. For experimentally grown individuals, an ~0.6°C higher growing temperature increased mean and maximum flower head height by 14.1 cm (15.0%) and 14.0 cm (13.2%), respectively, in C. nutans and by 21.2 cm (26.6%) and 31.8 cm (36.7%), respectively, in C. acanthoides. Seeds from warmed individuals were more likely to exceed a given dispersal distance than those from their unwarmed counterparts; warmed C. nutans and C. acanthoides seeds were on average 1.36 and 1.71 times as likely, respectively, to travel 10 m or more in dispersal simulations, with this disparity increasing at longer dispersal distances. For C. nutans, increased growing temperatures boosted simulated rates of population spread by 42.2%, while assuming dispersal from a maximum height point source rather than the true distribution of flower head heights increased simulated spread by up to 28.5%. Our results not only demonstrate faster population spread under increased temperatures, but also have substantial implications for modeling such spread, as the common simplifying assumption of dispersal from a single maximum height source may substantially overestimate spread rates.
The Influence of Electrolyte Volume on Calendaric Aging of Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Klick Sebastian , Stahl Gereon , Sauer Dirk Uwe
Published: October 2023

Lithium‐ion cells with graphite anodes and nickel–manganese–cobalt oxide (NMC622) cathodes are filled with three different amounts of electrolyte. During formation, incremental capacity analysis indicates small differences in the formation processes between cells with insufficient electrolytes to fill all pores and those with an electrolyte volume above the total pore volume of the cell. Complimentary analysis of the gases developed during formation shows that the composition of these cells differs from the cells with a sufficient electrolyte. The aging of cells under high temperature (60 °C) and high constant voltage of 4.2 V is studied. During aging, cells with higher amounts of electrolyte degrade substantially slower. Based on data available from electrical tests, a theory explaining the volume‐dependent rise of resistance and capacity decay is proposed.
Investigation of the anisotropic mechanical response of layered shales
Authors: Gao Min , Gong Bin , Liang Zhengzhao , Jia Shanpo , Zou Jiuqun
Published: October 2023

Layered shales exist widely and are often encountered during shale gas development. However, the mechanical response of layered shales is significantly affected by the existence of beddings, resulting in the obvious anisotropy characteristics regarding deformation, strength and failure mode. To clarify the underlying mechanisms of shale anisotropy that control the safety of engineering projects, the numerical simulation and theoretical analysis were conducted. The results show that with the growth of confining pressure, the compressive resistance of shales gradually increases, the shear fractures govern the instability and the anisotropy index decreases. Furthermore, several strength criteria for layered rock masses were summarized, and the modified Jaeger strength criterion was proposed by introducing the anisotropic parameter . It can effectively reflect the failure modes and strength features of layered shales under triaxial conditions with a higher accuracy. Besides, the variation of cohesion and internal friction angle of layered shale samples was comprehensively analysed under the triaxial conditions. Clearly, as the inclination angle of bedding planes increases, the cohesion of layered shales first decreases, but then increases under triaxial compression, showing the ‘U’‐shaped changing trend. Additionally, the internal friction angle of layered shales gradually increases with the increase in the inclination of bedding planes.
Encrypted images in a V‐BLAST assisted SC‐FDMA wireless communication system
Authors: Hasan Mohammad Kamrul , Hosain Md. Sarwar , Ahmed Md. Kawsar , Islam Shayla , Aledaily Arwa N. , Yasmeen Safia , Zainul Ariffin Khairul Akram
Published: October 2023

The internet of things (IoT) relies on fifth generation (5G) networks as the foundation for interconnecting devices. Wireless networks are an essential component of 5G‐IoT technology, as they provide the means to interconnect devices and transmit data wirelessly. The performance of the wireless network, including its capacity, integrity, bandwidth, and latency, is critical in ensuring the reliable and secure transmission of data in 5G‐IoT. 5G is being developed with the goal of delivering exceptionally high capacity, solid integrity, high bandwidth, and low latency. With the development and innovation of new approaches for 5G‐IoT, new significant security and privacy concerns are certain to arise. As a result, secure data transmission mechanisms will be required as the foundation for 5G‐IoT technologies in order to solve these emerging difficulties. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) cryptograms encrypt data by utilizing it as a carrier and biological technology. On an 8 by 8 multiantenna single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC‐FDMA) wireless system, we evaluate and compare the performance of DNA sine map‐based encrypted images using three different modulation algorithms: 16‐QAM, 16‐PSK, and 16‐DPSK. We also determine the bit error rate (BER) value for different signal to noise ratio (SNR) by analyzing the decrypted image's modulation performance. The methods minimum mean square error (MMSE), minimum mean error square successive interference cancelation (MMSE‐SIC), and zero‐forcing (ZF) are utilized for signal detection. Simulations in MATLAB reveal that the system is very effective and reliable when tested with MMSE‐SIC signal detection, 16‐QAM modulation, and low‐density parity check (LDPC) channel coding.
Clinical characteristics and risk factors of Helicobacter pylori infection‐associated Sjogren's syndrome
Authors: He Ye , Hu Lingzhen , Qiu Wei , Zhu Lixia , Zhu Xiaochun , Hong Mingzhi
Published: October 2023

Objective

Although infectious pathogens are predominant factors for inducing and maintaining immune system disorders, there exist few reports establishing the significant correlation between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and Sjogren's syndrome. This study aims to demonstrate the correlation between Sjogren's syndrome and H. pylori infection in patients, highlighting various clinical characteristics and risk factors.

Methods

A single‐center retrospective observational study was conducted in patients (n = 224) admitted from January 1, 2012, to February 10, 2021, in the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University (Wenzhou, China). All the recruited subjects with Sjogren's syndrome and H. pylori infection were only included by validating the available medical records online.

Results

In this study, a total of 224 patients from January 1, 2012, to February 10, 2021, were diagnosed with Sjogren's syndrome. Among them, 94 patients (41.96%) with Sjogren's syndrome were infected with H. pylori. Accordingly, the clinical manifestations, serological and immunological characteristics, as well as gastroscopic biopsy outcomes of the recruited patients with primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS) were reported. The multivariable analysis of the dry syndrome patients infected with H. pylori displayed hypergammaglobulinemia (odds ratio [OR], 0.354; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.189‐0.663), total cholesterol (OR, 1.158; 95% CI, 0.856‐1.550), hypertension (OR, 0.227; 95% CI, 0.114‐0.455), Female sex (OR, 5.778; 95% CI, 1.458‐22.9), anti‐SSA/Ro60 positive (OR, 2.384; 95% CI, 1.233‐4.645), γ‐GT (OR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.99‐1.00) and alkaline phosphatase (OR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.99–1.00) levels.

Conclusion

Together, our findings demonstrated that hypergammaglobulinemia could be the independent risk factors of H. pylori infection in patients with Sjogren's syndrome, requiring the physician's advice in the future.
Influence of titanium nanoscale surface roughness on fibrinogen and albumin protein adsorption kinetics and platelet responses
Authors: Boehm Ryan D. , Skoog Shelby A. , Diaz‐Diestra Daysi M. , Goering Peter L. , Dair Benita J.
Published: October 2023

Biomaterials with nanoscale topography have been increasingly investigated for medical device applications to improve tissue–material interactions. This study assessed the impact of nanoengineered titanium surface domain sizes on early biological responses that can significantly affect tissue interactions. Nanostructured titanium coatings with distinct nanoscale surface roughness were deposited on quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM‐D) sensors by physical vapor deposition. Physico‐chemical characterization was conducted to assess nanoscale surface roughness, nano‐topographical morphology, wettability, and atomic composition. The results demonstrated increased projected surface area and hydrophilicity with increasing nanoscale surface roughness. The adsorption properties of albumin and fibrinogen, two major plasma proteins that readily encounter implanted surfaces, on the nanostructured surfaces were measured using QCM‐D. Significant differences in the amounts and viscoelastic properties of adsorbed proteins were observed, dependent on the surface roughness, protein type, protein concentration, and protein binding affinity. The impact of protein adsorption on subsequent biological responses was also examined using qualitative and quantitative in vitro evaluation of human platelet adhesion, aggregation, and activation. Qualitative platelet morphology assessment indicated increased platelet activation/aggregation on titanium surfaces with increased roughness. These data suggest that nanoscale differences in titanium surface roughness influence biological responses that may affect implant integration.
Exogenous H2S promotes ubiquitin‐mediated degradation of SREBP1 to alleviate diabetic cardiomyopathy via SYVN1 S‐sulfhydration
Authors: Zhang Shiwu , Wang Mengyi , Li Hongxia , Li Qianzhu , Liu Ning , Dong Shiyun , Zhao Yajun , Pang Kemiao , Huang Jiayi , Ren Cheng , Wang Yan , Tian Zhen , Lu Fanghao , Zhang Weihua
Published: October 2023

Background

Diabetic cardiomyopathy, a distinctive complication of diabetes mellitus, has been correlated with the presence of intracellular lipid deposits. However, the intricate molecular mechanisms governing the aberrant accumulation of lipid droplets within cardiomyocytes remain to be comprehensively elucidated.

Methods

Both obese diabetic (db/db) mice and HL‐1 cells treated with 200 μmol/L palmitate and 200 μmol/L oleate were used to simulate type 2 diabetes conditions. Transmission electron microscopy is employed to assess the size and quantity of lipid droplets in the mouse hearts. Transcriptomics analysis was utilized to interrogate mRNA levels. Lipidomics and ubiquitinomics were employed to explore the lipid composition alterations and proteins participating in ubiquitin‐mediated degradation in mice. Clinical data were collected from patients with diabetes‐associated cardiomyopathy and healthy controls. Western blot analysis was conducted to assess the levels of proteins linked to lipid metabolism, and the biotin‐switch assay was employed to quantify protein cysteine S‐sulfhydration levels.

Results

The administration of H2S donor, NaHS, effectively restored hydrogen sulfide levels in both the cardiac tissue and plasma of db/db mice (+7%, P < 0.001; +5%, P < 0.001). Both db/db mice (+210%, P < 0.001) and diabetic patients (+83%, P = 0.22, n = 5) exhibit elevated plasma triglyceride levels. Treatment with GYY4137 effectively lowers triglyceride levels in db/db mice (−43%, P = 0.007). The expression of cystathionine gamma‐lyase and HMG‐CoA reductase degradation protein 1 (SYVN1) was decreased in db/db mice compared with the wild‐type mice (cystathionine gamma‐lyase: −31%, P = 0.0240; SYVN1: −35%, P = 0.01), and NaHS‐treated mice (SYVN1: −31%, P = 0.03). Conversely, the expression of sterol regulatory element‐binding protein 1 (SREBP1) was elevated (+91%, P = 0.007; +51%, P = 0.03 compared with control and NaHS‐treated mice, respectively), along with diacylglycerol O‐acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1) (+95%, P = 0.001; +35%, P = 0.02) and 1‐acylglycerol‐3‐phosphate O‐acyltransferase 3 (AGPAT3) (+88%, P = 0.01; +22%, P = 0.32). Exogenous H2S led to a reduction in lipid droplet formation (−48%, P < 0.001), restoration of SYVN1 expression, modification of SYVN1's S‐sulfhydration status and enhancement of SREBP1 ubiquitination. Overexpression of SYVN1 mutated at Cys115 decreased SREBP1 ubiquitination and increased the number of lipid droplets.

Conclusions

Exogenous H2S enhances ubiquitin‐proteasome degradation of SREBP1 and reduces its nuclear translocation by modulating SYVN1's cysteine S‐sulfhydration. This pathway limits lipid droplet buildup in cardiac myocytes, ameliorating diabetic cardiomyopathy.
Prognostic value of systemic inflammation and for patients with colorectal cancer cachexia
Authors: Ruan Guo‐Tian , Xie Hai‐Lun , Yuan Kai‐Tao , Lin Shi‐Qi , Zhang He‐Yang , Liu Chen‐An , Shi Jin‐Yu , Ge Yi‐Zhong , Song Meng‐Meng , Hu Chun‐Lei , Zhang Xiao‐Wei , Liu Xiao‐Yue , Yang Ming , Wang Kun‐Hua , Zheng Xin , Chen Yue , Hu Wen , Cong Ming‐Hua , Zhu Li‐Chen , Deng Li , Shi Han‐Ping
Published: October 2023

Background

The development and progression of cancer cachexia are connected to systemic inflammation and physical performance. However, few relevant studies have reported the survival outcomes prediction of systemic inflammation and physical performance in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) cachexia. This study investigated the prognostic prediction value of systemic inflammation and performance status in patients with CRC cachexia.

Methods

This multicentre cohort study prospectively collected 905 patients with CRC (58.3% males, 59.3 ± 11.5 years old). Cancer cachexia was diagnosed according to the 2011 Fearon Cachexia Diagnostic Consensus. The prognostic value of systematic inflammatory indicators was determined using the area under the curve, concordance index, and multivariate survival analysis. Performance status was evaluated with Eastern Coopertive Oncology Group performance score (ECOG‐PS). Survival data were analysed using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses.

Results

The area under the curve, concordance index and survival analysis showed that C‐reactive protein (CRP), lymphocyte to CRP ratio (LCR) and CRP to albumin ratio (CAR) were more stable and consistent with the survival of patients with CRC, both in non‐cachexia and cachexia populations. Among patients with CRC cachexia, high inflammation [low LCR, hazard ratio (HR) 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 3.33 (2.08–5.32); high CAR, HR (95% CI) = 2.92 (1.88–4.55); high CRP, HR (95% CI) = 3.12 (2.08–4.67)] indicated a worse prognosis, compared with non‐cachexia patients [low LCR, HR (95% CI) = 2.28 (1.65–3.16); high CAR, HR (95% CI) = 2.36 (1.71–3.25); high CRP, HR (95% CI) = 2.58 (1.85–3.60)]. Similarly, among patients with CRC cachexia, high PS [ECOG‐PS 2, HR (95% CI) = 1.61 (1.04–2.50); ECOG‐PS 3/4, HR (95% CI) = 2.91 (1.69–5.00]) indicated a worse prognosis, compared with patients with CRC without cachexia [ECOG‐PS 2, HR (95% CI) = 1.28 (0.90–1.81); ECOG‐PS 3/4, HR (95% CI) = 2.41 (1.32–4.39]). Patients with CRC cachexia with an ECOG‐PS score of 2 or 3–4 and a high inflammation had a shorter median survival time, compared with patients with an ECOG‐PS score of 0/1 and a low inflammation.

Conclusions

The systemic inflammatory markers LCR, CAR and CRP have stable prognostic values in patients with CRC. The ECOG‐PS may be an independent risk factor for CRC. Combined evaluation of systemic inflammation and ECOG‐PS in patients with CRC cachexia could provide a simple survival prediction.
Functional analyses of the polycomb‐group genes in sea lamprey embryos undergoing programmed DNA loss
Authors: Saraceno Cody , Timoshevskiy Vladimir A. , Smith Jeramiah J.
Published: October 2023

During early development, sea lamprey embryos undergo programmatic elimination of DNA from somatic progenitor cells in a process termed programmed genome rearrangement (PGR). Eliminated DNA eventually becomes condensed into micronuclei, which are then physically degraded and permanently lost from the cell. Previous studies indicated that many of the genes eliminated during PGR have mammalian homologs that are bound by polycomb repressive complex (PRC) in embryonic stem cells. To test whether PRC components play a role in the faithful elimination of germline‐specific sequences, we used a combination of CRISPR/Cas9 and lightsheet microscopy to investigate the impact of gene knockouts on early development and the progression through stages of DNA elimination. Analysis of knockout embryos for the core PRC2 subunits EZH, SUZ12, and EED show that disruption of all three genes results in an increase in micronucleus number, altered distribution of micronuclei within embryos, and an increase in micronucleus volume in mutant embryos. While the upstream events of DNA elimination are not strongly impacted by loss of PRC2 components, this study suggests that PRC2 plays a role in the later stages of elimination related to micronucleus condensation and degradation. These findings also suggest that other genes/epigenetic pathways may work in parallel during DNA elimination to mediate chromatin structure, accessibility, and the ultimate loss of germline‐specific DNA.
Detection of paralytic shellfish toxins by near‐infrared spectroscopy based on a near‐Bayesian SVM classifier with unequal misclassification costs
Authors: Liu Yao , Xiong Jianfang , Qiao Fu , Xu Lele , Xu Zhen
Published: October 2023

BACKGROUND

Paralytic shellfish poisoning caused by human consumption of shellfish fed on toxic algae is a public health hazard. It is essential to implement shellfish monitoring programs to minimize the possibility of shellfish contaminated by paralytic shellfish toxins (PST) reaching the marketplace.

RESULTS

This paper proposes a rapid detection method for PST in mussels using near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) technology. Spectral data in the wavelength range of 950–1700 nm for PST‐contaminated and non‐contaminated mussel samples were used to build the detection model. Near‐Bayesian support vector machines (NBSVM) with unequal misclassification costs (u‐NBSVM) were applied to solve a classification problem arising from the fact that the quantity of non‐contaminated mussels was far less than that of PST‐contaminated mussels in practice. The u‐NBSVM model performed adequately on imbalanced datasets by combining unequal misclassification costs and decision boundary shifts. The detection performance of the u‐NBSVM did not decline as the number of PST samples decreased due to adjustments to the misclassification costs. When the number of PST samples was 20, the G‐mean and accuracy reached 0.9898 and 0.9944, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Compared with the traditional support vector machines (SVMs) and the NBSVM, the u‐NBSVM model achieved better detection performance. The results of this study indicate that NIRS technology combined with the u‐NBSVM model can be used for rapid and non‐destructive PST detection in mussels. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Frequency‐Modulated Combs via Field‐Enhancing Tapered Waveguides
Authors: Senica Urban , Dikopoltsev Alexander , Forrer Andres , Cibella Sara , Torrioli Guido , Beck Mattias , Faist Jérôme , Scalari Giacomo
Published: October 2023

Frequency‐modulated (FM) combs feature flat intensity spectra with a linear frequency chirp, useful for metrology and sensing applications. Generating FM combs in semiconductor lasers generally requires a fast saturable gain, usually limited by the intrinsic gain medium properties. Here, it is shown how a spatial modulation of the laser gain medium can enhance the gain saturation dynamics and nonlinearities to generate self‐starting FM combs. This is demonstrated with tapered planarized terahertz (THz) quantum cascade lasers (QCLs). While simple ridge THz QCLs typically generate combs presenting a mixture of amplitude and frequency modulation, the on‐chip field enhancement resulting from extreme spatial confinement leads to an ultrafast saturable gain regime, generating a pure FM comb with a flatter intensity spectrum and a clear linear frequency chirp. The observed linear frequency chirp is reproduced using a spatially inhomogeneous mean‐field theory model, which confirms the crucial role of field enhancement. In addition, the modified spatial temperature distribution within the waveguide results in an improved high‐temperature comb operation, up to a heat sink temperature of 115 K, with comb bandwidths of 600 GHz at 90 K. The spatial inhomogeneity leads as well to very intense radio frequency (RF) beatnotes up to ‐30 dBm and facilitates dynamic switching between various harmonic states in the same device.
Microstructural Insights into Ethylene Glycol‐Mediated Polyether Polyols Using Double Metal Cyanide Catalyst
Authors: Verma Akash , Sharma Bhawna , Gupta Piyush , Ray Anjan , Behera Babita , Kumar Umesh , Viswanadham Nagabhatla
Published: October 2023

Polyether polyols are well established category of polymers, which are synthesized via ring opening polymerization (ROP) industrially using Double Metal Cyanide (DMC) catalyst with glycols as initiators. Establishing the role of glycol in initiation and its involvement in the polymer chain during the ROP of propylene oxide (PO) via DMC catalysis is of utmost importance. In this work, the experimental method is established to understand the role of ethylene glycol (EG) and its participation during initiation and chain propagation. Furthermore, the microstructure analysis of synthesized polyether polyols reveals that ethylene glycol initiates from both sides and participated in random copolymerization besides its role as an initiator in the polymeric backbone during the ROP of PO. Also, in‐depth studies of the polymeric microstructural distribution are carried out using 1H‐1H COSY, 1H‐13C HMQC, and 1H‐13C HMBC with the aid of multi‐pulse 2D correlation techniques along with carbon‐13 NMR chemical shifts. In‐depth understanding of the microstructure of the polyether polyols is established with the aid of the obtained polymeric regio‐irregular structures. The reactivity ratios of PO are found to be 0.89 and 0.57 by modified Kelen–Tudos and Fineman–Ross method, respectively, indicating higher reactivity of PO monomer in comparison to EG.
The powerful class of groups
Authors: Moravec Primož
Published: October 2023

Pro‐ groups of finite powerful class are studied. We prove that these are ‐adic analytic, and further describe their structure when their powerful class is small. It is also shown that there are only finitely many finite ‐groups of fixed coclass and powerful class.
Nostalgia and negotiation: The electronic word‐of‐mouth and social well‐being of older consumers
Authors: Wilson‐Nash Carolyn , Pavlopoulou Ismini
Published: October 2023

As older people turn to the internet for consumption and social connection, it is imperative to understand how online consumption behaviors, such as generating and absorbing electronic word‐of‐mouth (eWOM), influence feelings of belonging. This study therefore explores how organic conversations around brands, products, and services influence older consumers' social well‐being. A 6‐month netnography was conducted in a social media platform geared toward older consumers where eWOM activity was created relating to books, household items, technology, furniture, financial services, clothing, and leisure activities. The findings reveal four types of eWOM—nostalgic, seeking reassurance/advice, providing reassurance/advice, and negotiation, which create experiences of social well‐being. This research contributes to the marketing literature by (1) exploring the implications of eWOM on consumer well‐being (2) investigating how the social value of eWOM interacts with social well‐being, and (3) developing pioneering knowledge of older consumers generating and absorbing eWOM.
Long‐Term Nicotinamide Riboside Use Improves Coordination and Eye Movements in Ataxia Telangiectasia
Authors: Presterud Rebecca , Deng Wei Hai , Wennerström Anna Berit , Burgers Trudy , Gajera Bharat , Mattsson Kirsten , Solberg Agnes , Fang Evandro F. , Nieminen Anni I. , Stray‐Pedersen Asbjørg , Nilsen Hilde
Published: October 2023

Background

Supplementation of nicotinamide riboside (NR) ameliorates neuropathology in animal models of ataxia telangiectasia (A‐T). In humans, short‐term NR supplementation showed benefits in neurological outcome.

Objectives

The study aimed to investigate the safety and benefits of long‐term NR supplementation in individuals with A‐T.

Methods

A single‐arm, open‐label clinical trial was performed in individuals with A‐T, receiving NR over a period of 2 years. Biomarkers and clinical examinations were used to assess safety parameters. Standardized and validated neuromotor tests were used to monitor changes in neurological symptoms. Using generalized mixed models, test results were compared to expected disease progression based on historical data.

Results

NAD+ concentrations increased rapidly in peripheral blood and stabilized at a higher level than baseline. NR supplementation was well tolerated for most participants. The total scores in the neuromotor test panels, as evaluated at the 18‐month time point, improved for all but one participant, primarily driven by improvements in coordination subscores and eye movements. A comparison with historical data revealed that the progression of certain neuromotor symptoms was slower than anticipated.

Conclusions

Long‐term use of NR appears to be safe and well tolerated, and it improves motor coordination and eye movements in patients with A‐T of all ages. © 2023 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
QbTest in the clinical assessment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: A review of the evidence
Authors: Gustafsson Urban , Hansen Mikkel
Published: October 2023

The technology described in this review is QbTest. This evaluation focuses on QbTest in the clinical assessment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), with emphasis on studies designed to evaluate the performance of QbTest as a decision support tool, that is, the intended use, and studies designed to evaluate discriminatory ability as a diagnostic test. A literature search of publications was made until May 2023. For the first part, studies investigating QbTest as a decision support tool were included. For the second part, studies designed to evaluate QbTest as a stand‐alone test were included if sufficient information for a weighted average calculation of discriminatory power was included in the publication. Eleven studies on participants with ADHD were included for which QbTest was used in the diagnostic procedures of the disorder. One prospective randomized controlled study designed to evaluate QbTest when used for its intended purpose demonstrated a reduced time to diagnosis and increased diagnostic confidence. Ten studies designed to evaluate QbTest as a diagnostic test were identified. QbTest performed well with a weighted average sensitivity of 0.89 and specificity of 0.87 across studies with normative controls. In the challenging group of population with differential diagnosis (participants referred to a secondary or tertiary clinical care level), QbTest performed with a weighted average of 0.79 and 0.71 for both sensitivity and specificity. When including only studies of robust sample size (each study arm ≥50), the weighted averages were 0.83 and 0.86 for specificity and sensitivity, respectively. The addition of a QbTest reduced the time to a diagnostic decision without compromising diagnostic accuracy in a randomized control trial. When QbTest was evaluated for discriminative ability, an overall satisfactory weighted average sensitivity and specificity was found. The intended use of QbTest is to be used as a support tool rather than a standalone test in the clinical assessment of ADHD.
Comparing the incidence of spontaneous autopolyploidy in wild and hatchery Lake Sturgeon
Authors: Weisgerber Kaitlynn A. , Anderson W. Gary
Published: October 2023

Objective

Living species of Acipenseriformes, sturgeons and paddlefishes, are characteristically polyploid, having more than two complete sets of chromosomes (>2n). They undergo spontaneous autopolyploidy, an unintentional one and a half times increase in genome size, more frequently than any other order of fish. For Lake Sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens, which are evolutionary octoploids (8n), spontaneous autopolyploidy results in fertile dodecaploid (12n) progeny. When 12n individuals reproduce with octoploids, it is possible that resulting decaploid (10n) offspring will have poor physiological performance and survivorship. Spontaneous autopolyploidy in the wild is very low; however, incidence in fish hatcheries is greater, as seen in other 8n sturgeon species. We investigated this disparity in Lake Sturgeon, predicting to find more dodecaploid individuals in hatchery populations than in the wild.

Methods

Ploidy was determined using red blood cells from individuals in three hatchery and two wild populations of Lake Sturgeon in Manitoba, Canada (n = 1004). Red blood cell volume was evaluated with a Z2 Coulter counter and used to determine ploidy, based on the average of triplicate measures of the erythrocyte modal nuclei volume (fL). A subsample from each environment type was further examined using blood smear analysis (n = 130) and flow cytometry (n = 27).

Result

One 12n hatchery individual was found, along with significant differences in erythrocyte morphometry between the five populations. Fluctuations in modal nuclei volume were also observed over 169 days of repeated measurement within a single hatchery population.

Conclusion

The well-developed relationship between erythrocyte size and fishes external and physiological environment may explain the variance both between and within populations. These results demonstrate the need for ploidy monitoring in artificial hatcheries, as releasing even a single 12n fish could produce thousands of 10n offspring that, if recruited, would have a detrimental effect on the population fitness.
Separation of Iron and Rare Earths from Low‐Intensity Magnetic Separation (LIMS) Tailings through Magnetization Roasting‐Magnetic Separation
Authors: Hou Shaochun , Wang Weiwei , Zhang Bo , Li Wenjun , Guo Chunlei , Li Qiang , Li Erdou
Published: October 2023

Low‐intensity magnetic separation tailings (LIMS tailings) are a common by‐product obtained after magnetite magnetic separation. In this article, various techniques such as chemical analysis, X‐ray diffraction, ICP‐MS, and Mineral Liberation Analysis (MLA) were employed to investigate the LIMS tailings. The primary iron‐bearing mineral identified was hematite and rare earth minerals were monazite and bastnaesite. The main gangue species was fluorite with small amounts of dolomite and amphibole. Due to the weak magnetism of hematite and rare earth minerals, magnetic separation has low efficiency. However, magnetization roasting‐magnetic separation is an effective method to recover hematite. The present study focuses on the separation of iron and rare earth from LIMS tailings through magnetization roasting‐magnetic separation. The results demonstrate that with a roasting temperature of 650 °C, a roasting time of 60 min, a slurry concentration solid‐liquid ratio of 25 : 1, a rough magnetic field intensity of 0.16 T, and a selected magnetic field intensity of 0.10 T, the iron grade in the magnetic concentrate increases to 65.49 % and an iron recovery rate of 65.16 % can be achieved. The XRD patterns of magnetic separation concentrate show that the main mineral phases in concentrate are magnetite (Fe3O4) and fluorite (CaF2), which can be removed by grinding and reverse flotation fluorite to obtain a high‐grade iron concentrate. The REO grade of magnetic separation tailings is 11.98 %, and its recovery rate is 97.96 %. Consequently, rare earth can be effectively extracted and separated after the subsequent flotation‐leaching process.
PECVD and PEALD on polymer substrates (part I): Fundamentals and analysis of plasma activation and thin film growth
Authors: de los Arcos Teresa , Awakowicz Peter , Benedikt Jan , Biskup Beatrix , Böke Marc , Boysen Nils , Buschhaus Rahel , Dahlmann Rainer , Devi Anjana , Gergs Tobias , Jenderny Jonathan , von Keudell Achim , Kühne Thomas D. , Kusmierz Simon , Müller Hendrik , Mussenbrock Thomas , Trieschmann Jan , Zanders David , Zysk Frederik , Grundmeier Guido
Published: October 2023

This feature article presents recent results on the analysis of plasma/polymer interactions and the nucleation of ultra‐thin plasma films on polymeric substrates. Because of their high importance for the understanding of such processes, in situ analytical approaches of the plasma volume as well as the plasma/substrate interfaces are introduced before the findings on plasma surface chemistry. The plasma activation of polymeric substrates is divided into the understanding of fundamental processes on model substrates and the relevance of polymer surface complexity. Concerning thin film nucleation and growth, both plasma‐enhanced chemical vapor deposition and plasma‐enhanced atomic layer deposition processes as well as the combination of both processes are considered both for model substrates and technical polymers. Based on the comprehensive presentation of recent results, selective perspectives of this research field are discussed.
Treatment modalities and survival outcomes in prostate cancer parenchymal brain metastasis
Authors: Mahmoud Ahmed M. , Childs Daniel S. , Ahmed Mohamed E. , Tuba Kendi A. , Johnson Geoffrey B. , Orme Jacob J. , Stish Bradley J. , Phillips Ryan M. , Park Sean S. , Davis Brian J. , Andrews Jack R. , Kwon Eugene D.
Published: October 2023

Background

Prostate cancer (PCa) parenchymal brain metastases are uncommon and troubling observations in the course of the disease. Our study aims to evaluate the prevalence of brain metastases among PCa patients while reporting various therapeutic modalities, clinical features, and oncological outcomes.

Methods

We retrospectively identified 34 patients with parenchymal brain metastasis out of 4575 patients using a prospectively maintained database that contains clinicopathologic characteristics of PCa patients between January 2012 and December 2021. Based on the three treatment modalities used, the patients were divided into three groups: stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT), and systemic therapy alone. The Kaplan–Meier curve was used to calculate overall survival [OS] probability and the Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to compare between groups.

Results

At the time of brain metastasis diagnosis, the median age was 66 years, the median (interquartile range [IQR]) prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) was 2.2 (0.1–26.6) ng/ml and the median (IQR) months from initial PCa diagnosis to brain metastasis development was 70.8 (27.6–100.9). The median (IQR) primary Gleason score was 8 (7–9) and over a median (IQR) follow‐up time of 2.2 (1.2–16.5) months, 76.5% (n = 26) of the patients died. Thirteen (38.2%) patients had solitary lesion, whereas 21 (61.8%) had ≥2 lesions. The lesions were supratentorial in 19 (55.9%) patients, infratentorial in six (17.6%), and both sides in nine (26.5%). Among all 34 patients, 10 (29.4%) were treated with SRS, seven (20.6%) with WBRT, and 17 (50%) with systemic therapy alone. OS varied greatly between the three treatment modalities (log‐rank test, p = 0.049). Those who were treated with SRS and WBRT had better OS compared with patients who were treated with systemic therapy alone (hazard ratio: 0.37, 95% confidence interval: 0.16–0.86, p = 0.022).

Conclusions

In our single‐institutional study, we confirmed that PCa brain metastasis is associated with poor survival outcomes and more advanced metastatic disease. Furthermore, we found that SRS and WBRT for brain metastasis in patients with recurrent PCa appear to be associated with improved OS as compared with systemic therapy alone and are likely secondary to selection bias.
Histomolecular characterisation of hepatitis B virus induced liver cancer
Authors: Adugna Adane
Published: October 2023

Hepatitis B virus (HBV)‐associated liver cancer is the third most prevalent cancer‐related cause of death worldwide. Different studies have been done on the histomolecular analysis of HBV induced‐liver cancer including epigenetics which are dynamic molecular mechanisms to control gene expression without altering the host deoxyribonucleic acid, genomics characterise the integration of the viral genome with host genome, proteomics characterise how gene modifies and results overexpression of proteins, glycoproteomics discover different glyco‐biomarker candidates and show glycosylation in malignant hepatocytes, metabolomics characterise how HBV impairs a variety of metabolic functions during hepatocyte immortalisation, exosomes characterise immortalised liver cells in terms of their differentiation and proliferation, and autophagy plays a role in the development of hepatocarcinogenesis linked to HBV infection.
Comparative investigation on organosilicon film growth by cyclonic plasma using hexamethyldisilazane and hexamethyldisilazane/nitrogen gas mixture
Authors: Wu Li‐Yu , Wang Shu‐Mei , Ji Ya‐Shin , Huang Chun
Published: October 2023

This study aimed to discover the surface characteristics of cyclonic plasma‐deposited films and the effect of nitrogen gas addition. The influence of nitrogen gas addition on the surface characteristics of organosilicon films in hexamethyldisilazane (HMDSN) and HMDSN/nitrogen (HMDSN/N2) cyclonic plasmas at atmospheric pressure was evaluated. It was found that the addition of nitrogen gas is a crucial factor affecting organosilicon film growth in the plasma cyclone in one atmosphere. SEM, AFM, and ATR‐FTIR results indicated that on adding nitrogen gas, the surface morphology became rougher, the peak corresponding to the Si–O–Si group was detected at approximately 1050 cm−1, the degree of porosity was relatively low, and the proportion of the SiCHx group decreased. In general, the surface energies of the films deposited in the HMDSN discharge and the HMDSN/N2 gas mixture discharge exhibited similar features. SEM and AFM evaluations showed high roughness values of 44.5 nm for the film formation in the HMDSN/N2 gas mixture discharge, while the films grown in the HMDSN discharge exhibited a relatively flat surface with a roughness of 24.5 nm. Based on ATR‐FTIR detection, cyclonic plasma‐deposited films deposited in the HMDSN discharge obtained organic moieties, while the films generated in the HMDSN/N2 gas mixture discharge exhibited strong Si–O–Si absorption signals. A possible nano‐organosilicon film growth that prevails in atmospheric pressure plasma deposition is proposed based on atmospheric‐pressure plasma chemistry, nitrogen gas addition, and experimental observations.
Assessing the mechanisms and adjunctive therapy for arsenic‐induced liver injury in rats
Authors: Xu Yuyan , Zeng Qibing , Zhang Aihua
Published: October 2023

Environmental arsenic exposure is a significant global public health concern. Previous studies have demonstrated the association between arsenic‐induced liver injury and oxidative stress as well as ferroptosis. However, the knowledge of the interactions among these mechanisms remains limited. Moreover, there is a lack of research on potential therapeutic interventions for liver injury resulting from arsenic exposure. To address these limitations, we established a rat model with liver injury caused by arsenic exposure and investigated the impact of the nuclear factor E2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2)/glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPx4) signaling pathway and ferroptosis on arsenic‐induced liver injury. Our findings revealed that arsenic increased Nrf2 expression and decreased GPx4 expression in the rat liver. This was accompanied by a substantial generation of reactive oxygen species and disruption of the antioxidant defense system, ultimately promoting liver injury through ferroptosis. Subsequently, we conducted intervention experiments using Rosa roxburghii Tratt (RRT) in rats exposed to arsenic. The results showed that the detrimental effects mentioned earlier were partially alleviated following RRT intervention. This study offers preliminary evidence that persistent activation of Nrf2 by arsenic triggers an adaptive antioxidant response, leading to liver injury through the promotion of ferroptosis. Additionally, we discovered that RRT inhibits Nrf2‐mediated adaptive antioxidant responses by reducing hepatic ferroptosis, thereby mitigating liver injury caused by arsenic exposure in rats. Our study contributes to a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying liver injury resulting from arsenic exposure. Furthermore, our findings may facilitate the identification of a potential edible and medicinal plant extracts that could be utilized to develop a more effective adjunctive treatment approach.
Why does sudden cardiac death occur in elite athletes?
Authors: Ahluwalia Viren , Chahal Navtej
Published: October 2023

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) can occur despite screening in otherwise healthy elite athletes. Whilst the reasons for SCD are multifactorial and complex, what is clear is that prompt high‐quality early resuscitation and intervention saves lives.
First‐trimester cavum veli interpositi: prevalence and natural history
Authors: Smith E. , Pierre K. , Acevedo A. , Egerman R. , Rajderkar D. , Abu‐Rustum R. S.
Published: October 2023

Objective

To confirm the identity and assess the prevalence and evolution of the fluid‐filled interhemispheric midline structure, thought to be the cavum veli interpositi (CVI), in fetuses at 11–14 weeks' gestation.

Methods

This was a retrospective study of first‐trimester ultrasound scans performed at a single center over 3 months. Inclusion criteria were singleton pregnancies at 11–14 weeks' gestation with known neonatal outcome. Five experts reviewed the images. Mixed‐effects logistic regression and generalized estimating equations (GEE) were conducted to analyze the associations between the presence of the structure and variables including ultrasound approach (transabdominal vs transvaginal), maternal body mass index (BMI), gestational age, fetal crown–rump length (CRL) and biparietal diameter (BPD). Second‐trimester ultrasound scans of the fetal central nervous system at 18–24 weeks' gestation were evaluated for the persistence of the CVI in fetuses in which the structure was observed in the first trimester.

Results

Of the 223 cases reviewed, 104 were included, among which the CVI was observed in 25 (24%) cases. There was no statistically significant difference in CVI visualization between transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasound examinations. GEE showed significant associations between the presence of the fetal structure and CRL (odds ratio (OR) per 10‐unit increase, 1.32; P < 0.0001) and BPD (OR per 10‐unit increase, 1.88; P = 0.0011). Maternal BMI and gestational age showed no significant effect on the presence of the CVI. At second‐trimester follow‐up of the 25 fetuses in which the CVI was observed initially, 44% still showed a CVI, 32% exhibited a cavum vergae, 4% had both structures and 20% had neither.

Conclusions

Based on its anatomical location and, in some fetuses, its visualization as a distinct entity from the third ventricle, the identity of the interhemispheric midline structure in the suprathalamic region of the fetal brain between 11–14 weeks' gestation was confirmed as the CVI. The CVI and/or cavum vergae persisted into the second trimester in 80% of fetuses identified initially as having a CVI. Its presence is not linked to pathology, offering reassurance to practitioners and parents. © 2023 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.