bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Posttraumatic hydrocephalus: Recent advances and new therapeutic strategies
Authors: Sanker Vivek , Kundu Mrinmoy , El Kassem Sarah , El Nouiri Ahmad , Emara Mohamed , Maaz Zeina Al , Nazir Abubakar , Bekele Bezawit Kassahun , Uwishema Olivier
Published: November 2023

Background

Hydrocephalus or ventriculomegaly is a condition brought on by an overabundance of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the ventricular system. The major contributor to posttraumatic hydrocephalus (PTH) is traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), especially in individuals with occupations set in industrial settings. A variety of criteria have been employed for the diagnosis of PTH, including the combination of neurological symptoms like nerve deficits and headache, as well as an initial improvement followed by a worsened relapse of altered consciousness and neurological deterioration, which is detected by computed tomography‐brain imaging that reveals gradual ventriculomegaly.

Aim

In this article, we discuss and summarize briefly the current understandings and advancements in the management of PTH.

Methods

The available literature for this review was searched on various bibliographic databases using an individually verified, prespecified approach. The level of evidence of the included studies was considered as per the Centre for Evidence‐Based Medicine recommendations.

Results

The commonly practiced current treatment modality involves shunting CSF but is often associated with complications and recurrence. The lack of a definitive management strategy for PTH warrants the utilization of novel and innovative modalities such as stem cell transplantations and antioxidative stress therapies.

Conclusion

One of the worst complications of a TBI is PTH, which has a high morbidity and mortality rate. Even though there hasn't been a successful method in stopping PTH from happening, hemorrhage‐derived blood, and its metabolic by‐products, like iron, hemoglobin, free radicals, thrombin, and red blood cells, may be potential targets for PTH hindrance and management. Also, using stem cell transplantations in animal models and antioxidative stress therapies in future studies can lower PTH occurrence and improve its outcome. Moreover, the integration of clinical trials and theoretical knowledge should be encouraged in future research projects to establish effective and updated management guidelines for PTH.
Defining the relationship of salivary gland malignancies to novel cell subpopulations in human salivary glands using single nucleus RNA‐sequencing
Authors: Nakagawa Takuya , Santos Jessica , Nasamran Chanond A. , Sen Prakriti , Sadat Sayed , Monther Abdula , Bendik Joseph , Ebisumoto Koji , Hu Jingjing , Preissl Sebastian , Guo Theresa , Vavinskaya Vera , Fisch Kathleen M. , Califano Joseph A.
Published: November 2023

Salivary glands have essential roles in maintaining oral health, mastication, taste and speech, by secreting saliva. Salivary glands are composed of several types of cells, and each cell type is predicted to be involved in the carcinogenesis of different types of cancers including adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC), acinic cell carcinoma (AciCC), salivary duct carcinoma (SDC), myoepithelial carcinoma (MECA) and other histology. In our study, we performed single nucleus RNA‐seq on three human salivary gland samples to clarify the gene expression profile of each complex cellular component of the salivary glands and related these expression patterns to expression found in salivary gland cancers (SGC) to infer cell of origin. By single nucleus RNA‐seq, salivary gland cells were stratified into four clusters: acinar cells, ductal cells 1, ductal cells 2 and myoepithelial cells/stromal cells. The localization of each cell group was verified by IHC of each cluster marker gene, and one group of ductal cells was found to represent intercalated ductal cells labeled with HES1. Furthermore, in comparison with SGC RNA‐seq data, acinar cell markers were upregulated in AciCC, but downregulated in ACC and ductal cell markers were upregulated in SDC but downregulated in MECA, suggesting that markers of origin are highly expressed in some SGC. Cell type expressions in specific SGC histology are similar to those found in normal salivary gland populations, indicating a potential etiologic relationship.
Does parents' perceived style of setting limits to gaming matter? The interplay between profiles of parental mediation and BIS/BAS sensitivity in problematic gaming and online gambling
Authors: Bradt Lowie , Grosemans Eva , De Cock Rozane , Dupont Bruno , Vansteenkiste Maarten , Soenens Bart
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Parents try to prevent possible negative outcomes associated with gaming by setting rules on their adolescent's gaming behavior (i.e., restrictive mediation). Parents can use either more autonomy‐supportive or more controlling styles to communicate those rules. Using a person‐centered approach, this study aims to, first, identify profiles of parents' perceived degree of restrictive mediation in gaming and styles of communicating these rules (i.e., autonomy‐supportive and controlling); second, to examine how adolescents in different profiles differ in terms of maladaptive gaming outcomes (i.e., problematic gaming, simulated, and online gambling); third, to investigate the moderating role of gaming frequency and adolescents' personality (i.e., behavioral inhibition system [BIS] sensitivity and behavioral activation system [BAS] sensitivity) in the associations between the parental profiles and the outcomes.

Methods

The study used quantitative, cross‐sectional survey data from Belgian adolescents (N = 1651, mean age = 14.00 years, 51.2% boys), collected between November 2021 and February 2022 in schools.

Results

Cluster analysis yielded four profiles of perceived restrictive mediation: an exclusively controlling one, an autonomy‐supportive one, one where parents used a perceived mix of both communication styles, and one where there was an overall perceived lack of restrictive mediation. Adolescents in the controlling profile displayed the most maladaptive outcomes. Some of the associations between the parental profiles and the outcomes were stronger for more frequent gamers and for adolescents scoring higher on both BIS and BAS sensitivity.

Conclusion

Associations between the parental profiles and gaming outcomes were theoretically meaningful, yet small in terms of effect size.
Increased Osteoblast GαS Promotes Ossification by Suppressing Cartilage and Enhancing Callus Mineralization During Fracture Repair in Mice
Authors: Lee Kathy K , Changoor Adele , Grynpas Marc D , Mitchell Jane
Published: November 2023

GαS, the stimulatory G protein α‐subunit that raises intracellular cAMP levels by activating adenylyl cyclase, plays a vital role in bone development, maintenance, and remodeling. Previously, using transgenic mice overexpressing GαS in osteoblasts (GS‐Tg), we demonstrated the influence of osteoblast GαS level on osteogenesis, bone turnover, and skeletal responses to hyperparathyroidism. To further investigate whether alterations in GαS levels affect endochondral bone repair, a postnatal bone regenerative process that recapitulates embryonic bone development, we performed stabilized tibial osteotomy in male GS‐Tg mice at 8 weeks of age and examined the progression of fracture healing by micro‐CT, histomorphometry, and gene expression analysis over a 4‐week period. Bone fractures from GS‐Tg mice exhibited diminished cartilage formation at the time of peak soft callus formation at 1 week post‐fracture followed by significantly enhanced callus mineralization and new bone formation at 2 weeks post‐fracture. The opposing effects on chondrogenesis and osteogenesis were validated by downregulation of chondrogenic markers and upregulation of osteogenic markers. Histomorphometric analysis at times of increased bone formation (2 and 3 weeks post‐fracture) revealed excess fibroblast‐like cells on newly formed woven bone surfaces and elevated osteocyte density in GS‐Tg fractures. Coincident with enhanced callus mineralization and bone formation, GS‐Tg mice showed elevated active β‐catenin and Wntless proteins in osteoblasts at 2 weeks post‐fracture, further substantiated by increased mRNA encoding various canonical Wnts and Wnt target genes, suggesting elevated osteoblastic Wnt secretion and Wnt/β‐catenin signaling. The GS‐Tg bony callus at 4 weeks post‐fracture exhibited greater mineral density and decreased polar moment of inertia, resulting in improved material stiffness. These findings highlight that elevated GαS levels increase Wnt signaling, conferring an increased osteogenic differentiation potential at the expense of chondrogenic differentiation, resulting in improved mechanical integrity. © 2023 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Monochromatic spanning trees and matchings in ordered complete graphs
Authors: Barát János , Gyárfás András , Tóth Géza
Published: November 2023

We study two well‐known Ramsey‐type problems for (vertex‐)ordered complete graphs. Two independent edges in ordered graphs can be nested, crossing, or separated. Apart from two trivial cases, these relations define six types of subgraphs, depending on which one (or two) of these relations are forbidden. Our first target is to refine a remark by Erdős and Rado that every 2‐coloring of the edges of a complete graph contains a monochromatic spanning tree. We show that forbidding one relation we always have a monochromatic (nonnested, noncrossing, and nonseparated) spanning tree in a 2‐edge‐colored ordered complete graph. On the other hand, if two relations are forbidden, then it is possible that we have monochromatic (nested, separated, and crossing) subtrees of size only in a 2‐colored ordered complete graph on vertices. Some of these results relate to drawings of complete graphs. For instance, the existence of a monochromatic nonnested spanning tree in 2‐colorings of ordered complete graphs verifies a more general conjecture for twisted drawings. Our second subject is to refine the Ramsey number of matchings, that is, pairwise independent edges for ordered complete graphs. Cockayne and Lorimer proved that for given positive integers , is the smallest integer with the following property: every ‐coloring of the edges of a complete graph contains a monochromatic matching with edges. We conjecture that this result can be strengthened: ‐colored ordered complete graphs on vertices contain monochromatic nonnested and also nonseparated matchings with edges. We prove this conjecture for some special cases including the following.

(i) Every ‐colored ordered complete graph on vertices contains a monochromatic nonnested matching of size two ( case). We prove it by showing that the chromatic number of the subgraph of the Kneser graph induced by the nonnested 2‐matchings in an ordered complete graph on vertices is ‐chromatic.

(ii) Every 2‐colored ordered complete graph on vertices contains a monochromatic nonseparated matching of size ( case). This is the hypergraph analog of a result of Kaiser and Stehlík who proved that the Kneser graph induced by the nonseparated 2‐matchings in an ordered complete graph on vertices is ‐chromatic.

For nested, separated, and crossing matchings the situation is different. The smallest ensuring a monochromatic matching of size in every ‐coloring is in the first two cases and one less in the third case.
Understanding the riddle of amine oxidase flavoenzyme reactivity on the stereoisomers of N‐methyl‐dopa and N‐methyl‐tyrosine
Authors: Gracia Carmona Oriol , Lahham Majd , Poliak Peter , Goj Dominic , Frießer Eva , Wallner Silvia , Macheroux Peter , Oostenbrink Chris
Published: November 2023

Enzymes are usually stereospecific against chiral substrates, which is commonly accepted for the amine oxidase family of enzymes as well. However, the FsqB (fumisoquin biosynthesis gene B) enzyme that belongs to the family of sarcosine oxidase and oxidizes L‐N‐methyl‐amino acids, shows surprising activity for both enantiomers of N‐methyl‐dopa. The aim of this study is to understand the mechanism behind this behavior. Primary docking experiments showed that tyrosine and aspartate residues (121 and 315 respectively) are located on the ceiling of the active site of FsqB and may play a role in fixing the N‐methyl‐dopa via its catechol moiety and allowing both stereoisomers of this substrate to be in close proximity of the N5 atom of the isoalloxazine ring of the cofactor. Three experimental approaches were used to prove this hypothesis which are: (1) studying the oxidative ability of the variants Y121F and D315A on N‐methyl‐dopa substrates in comparison with N‐methyl‐tyrosine substrates; (2) studying the FsqB WT and variants catalyzed biotransformation via high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC); (3) molecular dynamics simulations to characterize the underlying mechanisms of the molecular recognition. First, we found that the chemical characteristics of the catechol moiety of N‐methyl‐dopa are important to explain the differences between N‐methyl‐dopa and N‐methyl‐tyrosine. Furthermore, we found that Y121 and D315 are specific in FsqB and not found in the model enzyme sarcosine oxidase. The on‐bench and theoretical mutagenesis studies show that Y121 residue has a major role in fixing the N‐methyl‐dopa substrates close to the N5 atom of the isoalloxazine ring of the cofactor. Simultaneously, D315 has a supportive role in this mechanism. Jointly, the experimental and theoretical approaches help to solve the riddle of FsqB amine oxidase substrate specificity.
Altered interhemispheric functional connectivity in patients with obsessive‐compulsive disorder and its potential in therapeutic response prediction
Authors: Yan Haohao , Zhang Yingying , Shan Xiaoxiao , Li Huabing , Liu Feng , Xie Guojun , Li Ping , Guo Wenbin
Published: November 2023

The trajectory of voxel‐mirrored homotopic connectivity (VMHC) after medical treatment in obsessive‐compulsive disorder (OCD) and its value in prediction of treatment response remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the pathophysiological mechanism of OCD, as well as biomarkers for prediction of pharmacological efficacy. Medication‐free patients with OCD and healthy controls (HCs) underwent magnetic resonance imaging. The patients were scanned again after a 4‐week treatment with paroxetine. The acquired data were subjected to VMHC, support vector regression (SVR), and correlation analyses. Compared with HCs (36 subjects), patients with OCD (34 subjects after excluding two subjects with excessive head movement) exhibited significantly lower VMHC in the bilateral superior parietal lobule (SPL), postcentral gyrus, and calcarine cortex, and VMHC in the postcentral gyrus was positively correlated with cognitive function. After treatment, the patients showed increased VMHC in the bilateral posterior cingulate cortex/precuneus (PCC/PCu) with the improvement of symptoms. SVR results showed that VMHC in the postcentral gyrus at baseline could aid to predict a change in the scores of OCD scales. This study revealed that SPL, postcentral gyrus, and calcarine cortex participate in the pathophysiological mechanism of OCD while PCC/PCu participate in the pharmacological mechanism. VMHC in the postcentral gyrus is a potential predictive biomarker of the treatment effects in OCD.
What Makes an Idea Risky? The Relations between Perceptions of Idea Novelty, Usefulness, and Risk
Authors: Keith Melissa G. , Freier Lindsey M. , Childers Marie , Ponce‐Pore Isabelle , Brooks Seth
Published: November 2023

Individuals and organizations frequently tout creative ideas as a desirable goal, and yet, creative ideas are frequently rejected. Creativity researchers have often suggested that creative ideas are rejected because they are perceived as riskier due to their inherent novelty or originality. Although this assumption is prevalent, we are unaware of any empirical research directly examining the relations between perceptions of novelty and risk. We provide an empirical test of this assumption in two studies in which participants rate the novelty, usefulness, and riskiness of ideas. Across both studies, we find consistent support for the idea that usefulness, rather than novelty, has the strongest relation with risk perceptions. We also find some evidence that novelty and usefulness interact to predict perceptions of risk. Additionally, in Study 2, we find that usefulness has the strongest relation with willingness to invest and buy a product. The findings of this study suggest that the bias against creativity may be driven by the perceived usefulness of an idea, rather than its novelty, such that ideas with lower usefulness are perceived to be riskier.
Developing leaders through rotational programs: What is the cost to followers?
Authors: Young Stephen P. , Baker Vicki L. , Lyndon Amy , Tolstikov‐Mast Yulia
Published: November 2023

The complex nature of today's global organization has led to the adoption of rotational leadership programs to ensure leaders have the necessary skills to succeed in a global landscape. However, this strategy fails to account for what happens to organizational followers when leaders are rotated to new positions. This research aimed to explore followers' experiences when exposed to rotating leadership. A sequential explanatory research mixed‐methods design was used to identify the types of followers in the global organization and their perceptions of this leadership phenomenon. Phase 1 collected data from 302 members of a global organization and identified participants by follower type. Phase 2 included semi‐structured interviews with 29 participants identified in Phase 1 and explored the followers' lived experiences when subjected to frequent changes in leadership. This study advances previous research that explores employee behavior and organizational change and presents new findings about follower perceptions of frequent leadership changes. First, this study found that followers exposed to fewer leaders were more likely to identify themselves as exemplary followers. Second, the perceptions and experiences of rotating leadership varied by follower type. Third, this study found varying perceptions among followers when compared by job function but found frustration the most common among all follower types and job functions. Finally, regardless of type or job function, all followers shared negative experiences and effects of the leadership rotation phenomenon. Based on these results, we discuss theoretical and practical implications for the global organization and offer recommendations for practice and continued exploration.
Wheat gluten deamidation: structure, allergenicity and its application in hypoallergenic noodles
Authors: Liu Mingxi , Dai Shuhan , Yin Lijun , Huang Zhijie , Jia Xin
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND

Wheat gluten (WG) containing gliadin and glutenin are considered the main allergens in wheat allergy as a result of their glutamine‐rich peptides. Deamidation is a viable and efficient approach for protein modifications converting glutamine into glutamic acid, which may have the potential for allergenicity reduction of WG.

RESULTS

Deamidation by citric acid was performed to investigate the effects on structure, allergenicity and noodle textural properties of wheat gluten (WG). WG was heated at 100 °C in 1 m citric acid to yield deamidated WG with degrees of deamidation (DD) ranging from DWG‐25 (25% DD) to DWG‐70 (70% DD). Fourier‐transform infrared and intrinsic fluorescence spectroscopy results suggested the unfolding of WG structure during deamidation, and sodium dodecyl sulphate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed molecular weight shifts at the 35–63 kDa region, suggesting that the deamidation mainly occurred on low molecular weight glutenin subunits and γ‐ gliadin of the WG. An enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay of deamidated WG revealed a decrease in absorbance and immunoblotting indicated that the intensities of protein bands at 35–63 kDa decreased, which suggested that deamidation of WG might have caused a greater loss of epitopes than the generation of new epitopes caused by unfolding of WG, and thereby reduction of the immunodominant immunoglobulin E binding capacity, ultimately leading to the decrease in allergenicity. DWG‐25 was used in the preparation of recombinant hypoallergenic noodles, and the hardness, elasticity, chewiness and gumminess were improved significantly by the addition of azodicarbonamide.

CONCLUSION

The present shows the potential for deamidation of the WG products used in novel hypoallergenic food development. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Microextraction with smartphone detection of thiocyanate in saliva of tobacco smokers using paper‐based analytical method
Authors: Hassan Rebwar Omar
Published: November 2023

This study presents a novel, cost‐effective approach involving spectrophotometric and smartphone paper‐based (SPB) methods and a distinctive salting‐out air‐assisted dispersive microextraction procedure to quantify thiocyanate in saliva samples. The method relies on the inhibitory effect of thiocyanate on quinoneimine dye formation during the Emerson reaction with sodium hypochlorite. Spectrophotometry quantifies the extracted dye by monitoring quinoneimine color intensity reduction at 525 nm. In the SPB method, extracted dye is applied to a paper strip, a smartphone captures the colored paper, and an application analyzes red, green, and blue components. All analyte determination and extraction variables were explored. Both methods exhibit good linearity (10–100 μg/L) with a coefficient of determination of 0.9991 and a limit of detection of 7.5 μg/L for the spectrophotometric method, and a coefficient of determination of 0.9988 and a limit of detection of 8.8 μg/L for the SPB method. The calculated values for the enrichment factor and extraction recovery of the developed extraction methodology were 46% and 93%, respectively. The methods detect thiocyanate in saliva samples, producing results comparable to a validated method.
The Effect of Social Vulnerability on Perioperative Tonsillectomy Outcomes in Children
Authors: Goff Salina H. , Pickett‐Nairne Kaci , Nguyen Thanh , Rove Kyle O. , Friedman Norman R.
Published: November 2023

Objective

To determine if children with greater social vulnerability are more likely to experience a prolonged oxygen requirement (POR) following adenotonsillectomy to inform the need for overnight monitoring prior to discharge.

Methods

A previously published prospective study assessing children observed overnight following adenotonsillectomy for obstructive sleep‐disordered breathing was reanalyzed including social vulnerability index (SVI). The outcome was POR beyond 3 h following extubation. Logistic regression was used to assess the association of SVI components with POR. SVI components were assessed as quartiles of cohort values. Final adjusted models included race, asthma, Down syndrome, and pre‐operative SpO2.

Results

A total of 462 children had SVI data available and were included. 354 (76.6%) were > = 3 years of age. Overall, 351 (76%) did not have a POR. The median overall SVI percentile was 26.5 (Q1 10.4, Q3 60.1). When categorized by SVI quartiles, there was a statistically significant difference with POR for overall SVI percentile (p = 0.007), SVI household composition percentile (p = 0.033), and median SVI housing/transportation percentile (p = 0.005). Individuals with an overall SVI in the 4th quartile (greatest vulnerability) were 2.63 times more likely to experience a POR than those in the 1st quartile (lowest social vulnerability) in adjusted logistic regression (95% OR CI 1.23–5.62; p = 0.01).

Conclusions

There is a significant association between greater neighborhood‐level social vulnerability and a POR following adenotonsillectomy. We propose that a child's SVI be considered when planning for the perioperative course following adenotonsillectomy.

Level of Evidence

3 Laryngoscope, 134:2449–2454, 2024
Interactions among ecosystem service key factors in vulnerable areas and their response to landscape patterns under the National Grain to Green Program
Authors: Zuo Yafan , Gao Jiawen , He Kangning
Published: November 2023

A deeper understanding of the interactions between ecosystem services (ESs) and the drivers of the landscape patterns behind them is critical to how ecological restoration projects in ecologically sensitive and fragile areas are planned and managed. However, few studies have explored the response patterns of ESs to changes in landscape patterns from a geospatial perspective. This study aimed to reveal the relationship between key ESs and landscape pattern responses at spatial scales and to propose the optimization of ecological restoration measures in response to ES trade‐offs problem. The InVEST and CASA models were used to assess the spatial and temporal characteristics of five key ESs in the Beichuan River Basin since the completion of the National Grain to Green Program (2000–2020), selected five key factors are as below: habitat quality (HQ); net primary productivity (NPP); water supply (WS); soil conservation (SC); and water conservation (WC). Geographically weighted regression (GWR) models were used to reveal the trade‐offs and synergies between ESs and the driving mechanisms of landscape patterns from a geospatial perspective. The results showed that landscape connectivity in the study area improved and landscape fragmentation decreased during 2000–2020, accompanied by the increase in HQ, SC, and WC, while NPP and WS decreased. The trade‐offs between ESs appeared mainly between NPP and other ESs, with the NPP–WS pair trade‐off being the strongest. Spearman correlation analysis, geographic detectors, and GWR revealed that the dominant landscape pattern indices affecting ESs showed good agreement. The interaction of the two landscape pattern indices had stronger explanatory power for the variation in ESs than any single landscape pattern index. The patch density index, as the most important landscape pattern index affecting NPP and WS, should be the primary consideration in future landscape planning to reconcile the contradiction between WS and NPP. Because of the inherent spatial heterogeneity of ESs and landscape patterns, analyzing their response relationships from a geospatial perspective can provide scientific guidance to decision‐makers.
Effects of chicken manure‐modified biochar on the adsorption capacity of tetracycline and abundance of antibiotic resistance genes in soil
Authors: Hu Fangyu , Gao Chengcheng , Wang Baoyu , Ding Ziming , Zhang Lijie , Wei Shuhe , An Jing
Published: November 2023

Large quantities of livestock manure not only occupy farmland but also serve as the primary source of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in agricultural soil. To enhance the resource utilization of animal manure and mitigate ecological risks associated with antibiotics in agroecosystems, chicken manure was used as a raw material for biochar production. The manure derived biochar (MB) was modified with an alkali–acid two‐step modification process. The results showed that the total pore volume and surface area of alkali–acid modified MB (AMMB) was significantly increased about three and five times, respectively after modification. The SEM images showed that the surface of AMMB had a more regular and clearer structure with fewer impurities. The improvement of surface properties of AMMB significantly increased its adsorbing capacity of tetracycline in the soil. The adsorption kinetics of tetracycline by AMMB were better fitted by the pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model, suggesting that the adsorption of tetracycline on biochar followed the process of chemisorption. The adsorption mechanisms mainly involved the pore filling, hydrophobic effect, and π–π EDA interaction. Moreover, after a 60 days amendment of AMMB, the total relative abundances (RAs) of tested tetracycline resistance genes (TRGs) in soil decreased significantly, which suggested that AMMB can be a potential material to reduce risks of antibiotics and its resistance genes.
Salinization, warming, and loss of water clarity inhibit vertical mixing of small urban ponds
Authors: Loewen Charlie J.G. , Jackson Donald A.
Published: November 2023

Urbanization drives multiple environmental changes that influence critical ecosystem processes. Factors such as salinization by deicing road salts, reduced water clarity (and greater light attenuation) from eutrophication and sediment loading, and warming constrain not only the biodiversity of ponds, but also their physical mixing (with consequences for oxygen availability and the provision of ecosystem services). Leveraging an extensive urban gradient in the Greater Toronto Area, we collected summertime depth profiles from 50 stormwater retention ponds to investigate their vertical stratification. We found that water columns were generally stratified but contrary to expectations, we found relatively minor roles of basin area and depth. Instead, we discovered an overwhelming effect of salinity along with significant impacts of temperature and water clarity on water density gradients. Findings extend our fundamental understanding of mixing regimes in small, shallow waterbodies and indicate increasing risks to pond functioning in a warmer and saltier future.
Colloidal Nanoplatelets‐Based Soft Matter Technology for Photonic Interconnected Networks: Low‐Threshold Lasing and Polygonal Self‐Coupling Microlasers
Authors: Duan Rui , Thung Yi Tian , Zhang Zitong , Durmusoglu Emek Goksu , He Yichen , Xiao Lian , Lee Calvin Xiu Xian , Lew Wen Siang , Zhang Lin , Li Hanyang , Yang Jun , Demir Hilmi Volkan , Sun Handong
Published: November 2023

Soft matter‐based microlasers are widely regarded as excellent building blocks for realizing photonic interconnected networks in optoelectronic chips, owing to their flexibility and functional network topology. However, the potential of these devices is hindered by challenges such as poor lasing stability, high lasing threshold, and gaps in knowledge regarding cavity interconnection characteristics. In this study, the first demonstration of a high‐quality, low‐threshold nanoplatelets (NPLs)‐based polymer microfiber laser fabricated using capillary immersion techniques and its photonic interconnected networks are presented. CdSe/CdS@Cd1‐xZnxS core/buffer shell@graded‐shell NPLs with high optical gain characteristics are adopted as the gain medium. The study achieves a lasing threshold below 14.8 µJ cm−2, a single‐mode quality (Q)‐factor of ≈5500, and robust lasing stability in the fabricated NPLs‐based microfibers. Furthermore, the study pioneers the exploration of polygonal self‐coupling microlasers and the optical characteristics of their interconnected fiber network. Based on the signal generation mechanism observed in the photonic networks, an interconnected NPLs‐based fiber network structure achieving single‐mode lasing emission and laser mode modulation is successfully designed. The work contributes a novel method for realizing microlasers fabricated via soft‐matter technologies and provides a key foundation and new insights for unit design and programming for future photonic network systems.
Urban Sanitation in Small Towns in Uttar Pradesh: A Study of Perception Analysis of Municipal Officials
Authors: Gupta A. K. , Joshi Mahendra
Published: November 2023

Providing safe, environmentally friendly sanitation is difficult. To achieve this economically friendly and sanitize environment, the Indian government has increased investment in urban sanitation, implemented new policies and regulations, and launched public awareness campaigns. Large cities in India have centralized sewerage systems with underground pipelines, pumping stations, and treatment plants. On‐site pit latrines, septic tanks, and other systems make up a large portion of urban toilets. While Swach Bharat Mission (SBM) will largely contain human waste, treating it will be difficult. Many Indian cities lack safe and sustainable sanitation, causing health problems and polluting water and soil. In contrast to on‐site sanitation systems, proper construction, maintenance management, and safe disposal of fecal sludge and septage from septic tanks and pit latrines have received little attention. Present paper purports to examine the views of municipal officials of selected urban local bodies (ULBs) of Uttar Pradesh pertaining to the urban sanitation, septage, and fecal sludge management.
Poverty and the wellbeing of children with sickle cell disease: The mediating role of parenting stress
Authors: Moody Kendall L. , Cain Gloria , Worthy Jalissa
Published: November 2023

Background

Living in poverty in the midst of caring for a child with sickle cell disease (SCD) presents with challenges that may be overwhelming for caregivers. Prior research has shown a relationship between poverty and poor outcomes in children; however, no study has investigated the mediating role of parenting stress on health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) for such children.

Procedure

A total of 150 patients, ages 8–17 years and their parents, were enrolled and completed measures of parenting stress (caregivers) and HRQOL (patients). Caregivers also completed a demographic information questionnaire, which was used to determine poverty status. The Sobel test was used to analyze the association between poverty and HRQOL by way of parenting stress.

Results

The series of linear regression results show poverty was a significant predictor for decreased HRQOL (B = −7.01, p = .05) among pediatric patients with SCD. Moreover, the regression coefficient measuring the indirect effect of the model measuring the mediating role of parenting stress was statistically significant (B = −1.05, p = .05).

Conclusion

The current study found an association between poverty status and HRQOL scores by way of parenting stress. Findings highlight the need for appropriate resource allocation to caregivers in addition to pediatric patients living with SCD.
Biocompatible organic coating fabrication via polymer/clay nanocomposites: Evaluation of mechanical improvements
Authors: Kandemir Ayse Cagil , Donmez Fatma , Can Hatice Kaplan
Published: November 2023

This study focuses on achieving mechanical enhancements in biocompatible organic coatings. A solvent‐based method is employed to produce biocompatible nanocomposites using polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and bentonite nanoclays (BNT) as constituents to achieve this objective. Subsequently, the nanocomposites are spin‐coated onto a glass substrate, resulting in smooth and defect‐free films with a thickness of 5 μm. Through instrumented‐indentation testing, it is observed that BNT reinforcement leads to significant improvements in mechanical properties. Specifically, the addition of 0.5, 1, and 5 wt% of BNT in PVP results in enhancements of 105%, 77%, and 430% in elastic modulus, respectively, while hardness is improved by 166%, 211%, and 448%, respectively. The considerable improvements in the composite modulus cannot be adequately explained by assuming perfect adhesion between the constituents of the composite (as suggested by the Halpin–Tsai model) or by considering the contributions from the interface/network of silicate layers (as proposed by the Modified Halpin–Tsai model). Instead, the significant enhancements in hardness and modulus values are primarily attributed to a notable increase in the BNT volume fraction, ranging from 4 to 9 times, occurring under the Berkovich tip due to the aggregated silicate layers. The findings highlight the role of aggregated silicate layers in enhancing both hardness and modulus and contribute to the development of advanced biocompatible coatings with improved mechanical properties.

Highlights

Enhanced mechanical properties in biocompatible coatings.

Biocompatible nanocomposites of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and bentonite nanoclays (BNT).

Spin‐coated nanocomposite films on glass: smooth, defect‐free, 5 μm thick.

BNT reinforcement boosts elastic modulus and hardness of PVP.

Aggregated silicate layers under compression drive substantial mechanical improvements.
Incorporation of garlic (Allium sativum) essential oil into cellulose acetate films: effect on the preservation of sliced cooked ham
Authors: Bittencourt Márcia Teixeira , Marques Clara Suprani , Arruda Tarsila Rodrigues , Fontes Edimar Aparecida Filomeno , Fontes Paulo Rogério , Dias Marali Vilela , de Oliveira Taíla Veloso , Soares Nilda de Fátima Ferreira
Published: November 2023

Garlic essential oil (GEO) has been recognized as a natural antimicrobial agent with a broad spectrum of action that can be associated with polymeric sustainable matrices to provide active packaging capable of improving the preservation of ready‐to‐eat meat products. In this sense, the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of cellulose acetate (CA) films incorporated with GEO on the growth of spoilage microbial groups (psychrotrophic (PSY) and lactic acid bacteria (LAB)) and physicochemical characteristics (pH, acidity index, color and index of thiobarbituric acid) of vacuum‐packed cooked sliced ham. Four treatments were evaluated (no film, CA‐film without GEO, CA‐film with 1.5% of GEO and CA‐film with 3% of GEO, applied as interfold packaging) over time (12 days). There was a significant reduction (ca 2.0 log cycle) in PSY and LAB growth when the active films were applied between the ham slices. Also, the lag phase of PSY was extended from around 2 to 6 days, which might positively impact the product's shelf life. However, the active films showed no significant effect on the food physicochemical characteristics. Therefore, the active CA‐films incorporated with small amounts of GEO could be an interesting alternative to reduce the impact of microbial spoilage on sliced cooked ham. © 2023 Society of Industrial Chemistry.
Biodegradation of oil palm empty fruit bunch during cultivation of Volvariella volvacea
Authors: Mariadass Marian , Md Shaarani Shalyda , Ab Rahman Roshanida , Veeramalai Sangeetha , Wan Azelee Nur Izyan
Published: November 2023

Biodegradation of cellulose, lignin, and hemicellulose from oil palm empty fruit bunches (OPEFB) by straw mushroom (Volvariella volvacea) was investigated. The present research mainly focused on the effects of effective microorganism (EM) treatment (M) and composting duration of OPEFB (C) on straw mushroom production. Two main stages were involved in this research. The first stage was emphasized on the V. volvacea culture process while the second stage was to evaluate the chemical properties of the OPEFB. Zero percent EM solution increased the OPEFB decomposition rate significantly for cellulose and slightly for hemicellulose. The EM solution of 20% increased the OPEFB decomposition rate significantly for hemicellulose after 5 days of composting. In contrast, 10% EM solution increased the OPEFB decomposition rate significantly for cellulose and lignin that were composted for 5 days and for hemicellulose that were composted for 10 and 15 days. The introduction of different EM solutions and varied composting days significantly affected the final compositions of the lignocellulose degraded by the V. volvacea. Most of the lignocellulose composition had positive correlation which depend on the nature of lignocellulose substrates. The final composition of cellulose, lignin, and hemicellulose in the spent OPEFB on average were 44.17 ± 0.04%, 22.66 ± 0.03%, and 11.39 ± 0.04%. Conversely, the raw OPEFB composition were 53.62% + 0.06%, 32.68% + 0.03%, and 15.23% + 0.19%. Based on the reduced percentage of the lignocelluloses, V. volvacea cultivation on OPEFB proved to be a good alternative in degrading biowastes.
Improvement of the flame retardance of epoxy resin composites reinforced with cyclodextrin phosphate melamine salt
Authors: Zhi Maoyong , Zhao Yinlong , Yang Xiong , Gao Shansong , Su Bingjian , Liu Quanyi
Published: November 2023

Epoxy resin is widely applied in civil aircraft, automobile and electronics products because of its good processing, adhesion, and mechanical properties, but its application is limited due to its easy combustion. Therefore, it is worthwhile to carry out flame‐retardant treatment for epoxy resin. In this study, a new bio‐based three‐source integrated intumescent flame‐retardant cyclodextrin phosphate melamine salt (CDPM) was synthesized from β‐cyclodextrin, phosphoric acid, and melamine, and it was employed as an additive flame retardant to fabricate CDPM/epoxy resin (CDPM/EP) composites. Thermogravimetric analysis results manifested that CDPM slightly improved the thermal stability of CDPM/EP composites. The CDPM/EP composite containing 10 wt.% CDPM acquired a limiting oxygen index of 32.9% and passed UL94 V‐0 rating. Moreover, the peak heat release rate, total heat release, and total smoke production, were respectively decreased by 46.4%, 55.5%, and 61.8% in contrast with neat epoxy resin. These results demonstrated that CDPM/EP could exert excellent flame retardance and smoke suppression performance. Scanning electron microscope and Raman results confirmed that CDPM facilitated the formation of residual char. Moreover, thermogravimetric/infrared results showed that CDPM/EP produced plenty of phosphorus‐containing free radicals and nonflammable NH3 during pyrolysis process, which played a good flame retardance effect in gas phase. This study provides a new approach for the design and development of low‐cost intumescent bio‐based flame retardant for epoxy resin.

Highlights

Novel three‐source intumescent bio‐based flame‐retardant CDPM was successfully synthesized.

CDPM was incorporated into epoxy resin as an additive flame retardant.

Only 10 wt.% CDPM provided 55.5% and 61.8% reductions of total heat release and total smoke production, respectively.

CDPM/EP composites exhibited an excellent flame retardancy and smoke suppression properties.

The outstanding promoting carbonization effect of CDPM in condensed phase contributes to reduce the release of heat and smoke.
Tax Policy to Stimulate Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Authors: Braunerhjelm Pontus , Henrekson Magnus
Published: November 2023

Taxation, undeniably one of the most influential tools at a policymaker’s disposal, plays a pivotal role in stimulating innovation and entrepreneurship. As such, we dedicate here a separate chapter to tax policy and the effects it can have. The tax structure influences not only the overall volume of innovative entrepreneurship, but also the channels through which it wields its impact. Tax rules and tax rates determine the extent to which net return differs from gross return for potential entrepreneurs and other actors in the collaborative innovation ecosystem.
Changing Cycling Practices and Covid Cycle Lanes in Five French Cities
Authors: Ortar Nathalie , Chapelon Laurent , Depeau Sandrine , Feildel Benoît , Lammoglia Adrien , Poisson Adrien , Sayagh David , Barbé Léa , Hentgen-Izaguirre Andoni
Published: November 2023

To encourage a modal shift toward cycling during and after the 2020 lockdown the French national government introduced a €120 million budget set of financial incentives, the “coup de pouce vélo.” Meanwhile, inspired by tactical urbanism, city authorities created cycle lanes and tracks, called “coronapistes” (Covid cycle lanes), on a permanent or pop-up basis. This response to the pandemic was driven by a unique set of spatial, social, and political configurations. In this chapter, we analyze the way in which both experienced and novice cyclists made use of the temporary facilities that were introduced in the early months of the Covid-19 pandemic in four cities—Grenoble, Lyon, Montpellier, and Rennes—and contrast this with the case of Saint-Étienne, where the Covid cycle lanes were removed at the end of the spring 2020 lockdown. The chapter aims to observe the effects of public policies on cycling practices and the social representations associated with them, in particular on changes in use in contexts characterized by different relationships to cycling. To capture the ways in which the Covid cycle lanes have been received and used, we employed ride-along interviews, an in situ and qualitative mobile method.
‘School Streets’ and the Adaptation of London’s State-Led Tactical Urbanism During Covid-19
Authors: Thomas Asa
Published: November 2023

During the Covid-19 pandemic, London rapidly expanded its scheme of temporary School Streets closures. This represented an acceleration of pre-existing tendencies in the city towards using the methods of ‘Tactical Urbanism.’ Through a document review and a series of interviews with practitioners, this case study explores the varied ways in which different levels of government acted ‘tactically’ in the implementation London’s Covid-19 School Streets. It also considers the way this example of a state-led scheme intersects with debates around the concept of Tactical Urbanism and its increasing adoption by local and municipal governments.
Habitual carbohydrate intake is not correlated with circulating β-hydroxybutyrate levels in pregnant women with overweight and obesity at 28 weeks' gestation
Authors: Tanner Helen L. , Ng Hui Ting , Murphy Grace , Barrett Helen L. , Callaway Leonie K. , McIntyre H. David , Nitert Marloes Dekker
Published: November 2023

Aims/hypothesis

Pregnant women are advised to consume a minimum of 175 g per day of carbohydrate to meet maternal and fetal brain glucose requirements. This recommendation comes from a theoretical calculation of carbohydrate requirements in pregnancy, rather than from clinical data. This study aimed to determine whether fasting maternal ketone levels are associated with habitual carbohydrate intake in a subset of participants of the Study of PRobiotics IN Gestational diabetes (SPRING) randomised controlled trial.

Methods

Food frequency questionnaires on dietary intake during pregnancy were completed by pregnant women with overweight or obesity at 28 weeks’ gestation (considering their intake from the beginning of pregnancy). Dietary intake from early pregnancy through to 28 weeks was analysed for macronutrient intake. At the same time, overnight fasting serum samples were obtained and analysed for metabolic parameters including serum β-hydroxybutyrate, OGTTs, insulin and C-peptide.

Results

Fasting serum β-hydroxybutyrate levels amongst 108 women (mean BMI 34.7 ± 6.3 kg/m2) ranged from 22.2 to 296.5 μmol/l. Median fasting β-hydroxybutyrate levels were not different between women with high (median [IQR] 68.4 [49.1–109.2 μmol/l]) and low (65.4 [43.6–138.0 μmol/l]) carbohydrate intake in pregnancy. Fasting β-hydroxybutyrate levels were not correlated with habitual carbohydrate intake (median 155 [126–189] g/day). The only metabolic parameter with which fasting β-hydroxybutyrate levels were correlated was 1 h venous plasma glucose (ρ=0.23, p=0.03) during a 75 g OGTT.

Conclusions/interpretation

Fasting serum β-hydroxybutyrate levels are not associated with habitual carbohydrate intake at 28 weeks’ gestation in pregnant women with overweight and obesity.

Graphical Abstract