bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rapid Screen for Antiviral T‐Cell Immunity with Nanowire Electrochemical Biosensors
Authors: Nami Mohsen , Han Patrick , Hanlon Douglas , Tatsuno Kazuki , Wei Brian , Sobolev Olga , Pitruzzello Mary , Vassall Aaron , Yosinski Shari , Edelson Richard , Reed Mark
Published: February 2022

The ability to rapidly assess and monitor patient immune responses is critical for clinical diagnostics, vaccine design, and fundamental investigations into the presence or generation of protective immunity against infectious diseases. Recently, findings on the limits of antibody‐based protection provided by B‐cells have highlighted the importance of engaging pathogen‐specific T‐cells for long‐lasting and broad protection against viruses and their emergent variants such as in SARS‐CoV‐2. However, low‐cost and point‐of‐care tools for detecting engagement of T‐cell immunity in patients are conspicuously lacking in ongoing efforts to assess and control population‐wide disease risk. Currently available tools for human T‐cell analysis are time and resource‐intensive. Using multichannel silicon‐nanowire field‐effect transistors compatible with complementary metal−oxide−semiconductor, a device designed for rapid and label‐free detection of human T‐cell immune responses is developed. The generalizability of this approach is demonstrated by measuring T‐cell responses against melanoma antigen MART1, common and seasonal viruses CMV, EBV, flu, as well as emergent pandemic coronavirus, SARS‐CoV‐2. Further, this device provides a modular and translational platform for optimizing vaccine formulations and combinations, offering quick and quantitative readouts for acquisition and persistence of T‐cell immunity against variant‐driven pathogens such as flu and pandemic SARS‐CoV‐2.
Willingness to Engage in Collective Action After the Police Killing of an Unarmed Black Man: Differential Pathways for Black and White Individuals
Authors: Sheehan Brynn E. , Derlega Valerian J. , Maduro Ralitsa S. , Totonchi Delaram A.
Published: February 2022

This cross‐sectional survey study examined the underlying psychosocial constructs of Black (n = 163) and White (n = 246) university students' willingness to endorse racially motivated collective action. Consistent with the defensive motivation system model, we expected the police shooting of an unarmed Black American to activate concerns about personal safety, thereby eliciting negative affect, lack of forgiveness of the perpetrator, and motivation to engage in collective action. This path model was expected for both Black and White participants, with stronger associations among Black participants. In the full model, Black participants identified more with the victim and indicated greater personal threat, which led to (1) more negative affect and greater endorsement of collective action and (2) greater avoidance of the shooter and greater endorsement of collective action. In the Black participants model, collective action was explained by identifying with the victim and feeling personally threatened. In the White participants model, collective action was explained by three pathways stemming from identifying with the victim and personal threat, including negative affect, seeking avoidance, and seeking revenge. The results indicate different mechanisms to explain Black and White individuals' motivation to endorse collective action to prevent police‐involved shootings of unarmed Black Americans.
The effect on handgrip strength of low‐frequency percutaneous electric stimulation applied to the median and cubital nerves: A randomized, double‐blind controlled trial
Authors: Álvarez David Martín‐Caro , Serrano‐Muñoz Diego , Fernández‐Pérez Juan José , Moreno Jaime Salom , Gómez‐Soriano Julio , Avendaño‐Coy Juan
Published: February 2022

Percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (PENS) consists of applying an electric current of <1,000 Hz to different neuromuscular structures through acupuncture needles. Currently, there is controversy surrounding the effect of PENS on muscle strength in the scientific literature. The main objective was to assess the effect of PENS applied to the median and cubital nerves on the maximum handgrip strength (MHS) compared to sham stimulation, as well as to determine the safety of the intervention. A parallel, randomized, double‐blind controlled trial in a sample of 20 healthy subjects. Participants were randomly allocated in the experimental (n = 10) and control (n = 10) groups. A blinded researcher measured MHS. Measurements of MHS of the dominant hand were taken at four time points: preintervention, immediately postintervention, 24 hr after the intervention, and at a 10‐day follow‐up. A 10‐Hz percutaneous electrical current stimulation was employed. The control group also received the same puncture method but with no electric stimulation. Compared to baseline, the MHS decreased 10.4% (SEM = 3.2, p = .02) in the PENS group at 24 hr postintervention, with no differences observed between baseline and at 10 days postintervention. No changes in grip strength were observed at any time point in the sham group. To sum up, PENS decreased MHS at 24 hr postintervention, which does not persist 10 days after the stimulation. PENS can be considered a safe technique. Trials with larger sample sizes are required to corroborate the findings of this study. Clinical Trials Registration: NCT, NCT04662229, filed on March 12th of 2020.
It is essential to connect: Evaluating a Science Communication Boot Camp
Authors: Longtin Krista , Wisner Rebecca , Organ Jason M.
Published: February 2022

Scientific knowledge has expanded dramatically in the 21st century. Yet, even in science where there is large consensus among the studies—evolution by natural selection, for example, or the human basis of accelerated climate change—the public and policymakers are not always in agreement with the science. To bridge this gap, scientists and educators need to connect and engage with diverse audiences with varying levels of science literacy. Communication scholars have identified several effective tactics to communicate effectively with non‐specialist audiences. However, our sometimes‐siloed thinking in science and higher education discourages sharing this knowledge across disciplinary lines. Furthermore, many training programs focus on educating about which communication strategies work, but they fail to provide participants with the opportunity to develop the skills required to listen effectively and respond in an engaging way. To that end, we created the Science Communication Boot Camp (SCBC) with support from an American Association for Anatomy innovations grant. The 3‐day program engaged and immersed participants in training designed to develop audience‐centered communication, distill scientific concepts into meaningful narratives, and connect effectively with the public, collaborators, and policymakers. Based on participant surveys at three timepoints (preworkshop, postworkshop, and 2‐year follow‐up), the SCBC was effective in helping participants to increase their communication skills and willingness to engage with the public and other non‐specialist audiences.
Entwicklung von Prozessen zur automatisierten Planung und Herstellung von Stahlbetonbauteilen
Authors: Zöller Raphael , Ochlast Andreas , Zimmert Florian , Braml Thomas
Published: February 2022

Die Industrie 4.0, Digitalisierung und Automatisierung haben das Potenzial, den Werkstoff Stahlbeton unter anderem in Hinblick auf Ressourcenschonung, Vorfertigung, Dauerhaftigkeit, Qualität der Ausführung sowie viele weitere Aspekte entscheidend weiterzuentwickeln. Bereits jetzt können in Fertigungshallen immer häufiger Roboter und Robomaschinen angetroffen werden. In Anlehnung an diesen Trend werden im vorliegenden Beitrag derzeit durchgeführte Forschungs‐ und Entwicklungsarbeiten der Firmengruppe Max Bögl und der Universität der Bundeswehr München, Institut für Konstruktiven Ingenieurbau, vorgestellt. Die ersten erklärten Entwicklungsziele dieses Verbunds betreffen die Implementierung von Treibern der Digitalisierung und der Industrie 4.0 in die Planung und Herstellung von Stahlbetonfertigteilen. Hierzu wird in der digitalen Planung ein Prozess zur parametrischen 3D‐Modellierung und Bahnplanung für Roboteranwendungen entwickelt. Die entstehenden Datensätze werden anschließend in der technischen Umsetzung unter Verwendung von Industrierobotern einerseits zur individuellen Fertigung von Bewehrungskörben, andererseits zur Herstellung alternativer Bauteilgeometrien mittels eines Beton‐3D‐Druck‐Verfahrens verwendet.
Plant seed extract assisted, eco‐synthesized C‐ZnO nanoparticles: Characterization, chromium(VI) ion adsorption and kinetic studies
Authors: Rao Srilatha , A S Sowmyashree , Jayaprakash Gururaj Kudur , Swamy M. Mahadeva , K Swamynathan , Kumar Deepak
Published: February 2022

This report attempts to elucidate the potential of plant seed extract assisted synthesis of graphite‐based zinc oxide nanoparticles (C‐ZnO NPs) towards removal of chromium(VI) ions from water samples. The graphite‐based zinc oxide (C‐ZnO) composites were characterized using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The C‐ZnO nanocomposites have found to remove chromium from the sample through an adsorption process. The sensitivity of chromium removal through adsorption is found to be in the range of 40 to 240 mg. The adsorption behaviour was found to be fitting with Langmuir isotherm model and the adsorption reaction follows pseudo second‐order kinetics.
Assessment of late cardiotoxic effects in patients treated for cancer in childhood
Authors: Kincl Vladimír , Panovský Roman , Kepák Tomáš , Bajčiová Viera , Bednárová Veronika , Opatřil Lukáš , Máchal Jan
Published: February 2022

Background

The most frequent chemotherapeutic regimens used in children's cancer contain anthracyclines, which may have potentially cardiotoxic effects even at a later point in time. Echocardiography including tissue Doppler imaging is well‐proved noninvasive method to assess cardiac function.

Objectives

To assess the late cardiotoxic effects in young adults treated for various cancer types in childhood.

Methods

Ninety‐eight young adults who were treated for childhood cancer (CCS), median time 12.1 years after finishing the therapy, were comprised into study. All subjects underwent echocardiographic examination including tissue Doppler imaging. The echocardiographic parameters were compared to 57 healthy age‐matched subjects. The CCS group also underwent 24‐h ECG Holter monitoring to reveal any arrhythmias.

Results

The subjects in CCS group had lower E′ velocities from lateral (15.6 vs. 17.6 cm/s) and septal part (12.2 vs. 14.4 cm/s) of mitral annulus (p for both <0.001) and also lower S′ velocity from the tricuspid annulus (12.4. vs. 13.3 cm/s, p = 0.013) and tricuspid annulus peak systolic excursion (TAPSE; 22.2 vs. 23.9 mm, p = 0.017). There were no significant differences in left ventricular systolic velocities or ejection fraction. The occurrence of arrhythmias did not differ among subgroups of CCS with or without anthracycline therapy.

Conclusion

Childhood cancer survivors had subclinical cardiac impairment in comparison with healthy controls, particularly in left ventricular diastolic function.
Clinical characteristics and outcomes in a cohort of oncologic patients with COVID‐19 during the first year of the pandemic in Mexico
Authors: De‐la‐Rosa‐Martinez Daniel , Aranda‐Audelo Mercedes , Martin‐Onraet Alexandra , Islas‐Muñoz Beda , Perez‐Jimenez Carolina , Alatorre‐Fernandez Pamela , Cornejo‐Juarez Patricia , Ruiz‐Garcia Erika , Zinser‐Peniche Paola , Nuñez‐Luna Luis , Meneses‐Garcia Abelardo , Herrera‐Gomez Angel , Vilar‐Compte Diana
Published: February 2022

Background

Literature on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection in cancer patients is scarce in Latin America. This population seems to have a higher risk for adverse outcomes. This study aims to correlate clinical characteristics with outcomes in patients with cancer.

Methods

We included all patients with cancer and confirmed SARS‐CoV‐2 infection from April 19 to December 31, 2020, at the Instituto Nacional de Cancerologia, Mexico. Clinical information was obtained from medical and epidemiological records. For the association between variables and hospitalization, invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), and mortality, univariate and multivariate logistic regression were performed; odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated.

Results

Four hundred thirty‐three patients were included; 268 (62%) were female, the median age was 55 years. One hundred thirty‐five (31%), 131 (30%), and 93 (21%) patients had obesity, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus (DM), respectively. Three hundred forty‐one (79%) had solid cancer. One hundred seventy (39%) had advanced cancer. Two hundred (46%) patients were hospitalized. Age (p < 0.01), male gender (p = 0.03), hematological malignancies (HM) (p = 0.04) and advanced cancer (p = 0.03) increased the risk for hospital admission. Forty‐five (10%) patients required IMV. Age (p = 0.02); DM (p = 0.04); high C‐reactive protein (p < 0.01), and lactate dehydrogenase (p = 0.03) were associated with IMV. Mortality within 30 days after diagnosis was 18% (76 cases). Associated characteristics were age (p = 0.04) and low albumin (p < 0.01).

Conclusions

In this study, patients with cancer showed higher mortality, need for hospitalization, and IMV compared with other non‐cancer cohorts. We did not find an increased risk in mortality for HM. Although our cohort was younger than others previously reported, age was a strong predictor of adverse outcomes. Variables associated with IMV and death were similar to those previously described in cancer patients with COVID‐19.
Collaboration and advance planning across campus create more cybersecure universities
Authors: Bannister Mary
Published: February 2022

“Cybersecurity is a threat that changes all the time, so addressing it involves everybody living and breathing security as second nature.” This was a key theme on Sept. 22, 2021, when the National Student Clearinghouse hosted a webinar titled “CyberSecurED: Building a Cyber‐Ready Campus.” The webinar panelists — experts from EDUCAUSE, the Cyber Readiness Institute, REN‐ISAC, and NSC — discussed the role of university registrars and enrollment managers in preventing and responding to cyberattacks.
Did court dismiss student‐athlete's negligence claim?
Authors: Lyerly Eric
Published: February 2022

A Missouri Baptist University volleyball player attended an off‐campus party and later had sexual intercourse with a football player.
PDGF‐BB/PDGFRβ promotes epithelial–mesenchymal transition by affecting PI3K/AKT/mTOR‐driven aerobic glycolysis in Wilms' tumor G401 cells
Authors: Guo Jia‐qi , Wang Chang‐dong , Tang Hu‐ying , Sang Bo‐tao , Liu Xing , Yi Fa‐ping , Wu Xiang‐mei
Published: February 2022

Wilms' tumor (WT) is the most common pediatric renal malignancy. PDGFRβ belongs to the type III receptor tyrosine kinase family and is known to be involved in tumor metastasis and angiogenesis. Here, we studied the effect and underlying mechanism of PDGFRβ on WT G401 cells. Transwell assay and wound‐healing assay were used to detect the effect of PDGFRβ on G401 cells invasion and migration. Western blot and immunofluorescence were used to detect the expression of EMT‐related genes. The expression of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway proteins was detected by Western blot. The relationship between PDGFRβ and aerobic glycolysis was studied by assessing the expression of glycolysis‐related enzymes detected by qRT‐PCR and Western blot. The activity of HK, PK, and LDH was detected by corresponding enzyme activity kits. The concentration of lactic acid and glucose was detected by Lactic Acid Assay Kit and Glucose Assay Kit‐glucose oxidase method separately. To investigate the mechanism of PDGFRβ in the development of WT, the changes of glucose and lactic acid were analyzed after blocking PI3K pathway, aerobic glycolysis, or PDGFRβ. The key enzyme was screened by Western blot and glucose metabolism experiment after HK2, PKM2, and PDK1 were inhibited. The results showed that PDGFRβ promoted the EMT process by modulating aerobic glycolysis through PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in which PKM2 plays a key role. Therefore, our study of the mechanism of PDGFRβ in G401 cells provides a new target for the treatment of WT.
Quantification of fructans in cereal‐based bioethanol stillage based on a simplified analytical method
Authors: Zimmermann Andreas , Kaltschmitt Martin
Published: February 2022

Background and Objectives

Cereal‐based bioethanol stillage, the main by‐product of industrial bioethanol production, is a potential substrate for fructans. However, the quantification of fructans in such complex sample matrices is still a challenge for the corresponding analytics to be overcome to allow for the identification and utilization of such unused fructan sources. Especially a possible utilization or rather the corresponding process development requires appropriate analytics first. Thus, this paper aims to develop and apply a method for fructan quantification in bioethanol stillage using common a high‐performance liquid chromatography–refractive index detector.

Findings

A new approach for fructan quantification is presented allowing for simple fructan determination in bioethanol stillage for comparably high sample throughput. The developed analytical method performs fructan quantification by means of fructose‐ and glucose‐equivalent determination after targeted acidic hydrolysis adapted to the respective sample matrix. On the basis of this method, up to 2.5% of fructans were found in the dry matter of cereal‐based bioethanol stillage.

Conclusion

Cereal‐based bioethanol stillage is assessed to be a potential source of fructans. The presented analytical method can be the basis for respective process development and, thus, may contribute to a higher‐value utilization of stillage.

Significance and Novelty

According to current knowledge, no determination of fructans in stillage or corresponding analytical methods have been published so far.
Malignant otitis externa presenting cerebral infarction from pseudoaneurysm: A case report and a review of the literature
Authors: Koshiba Yasutoshi , Ikeda Ryoukichi , Suzuki Jun , Honkura Yohei , Funayama Yukino , Ikeda Kensuke , Warita Hitoshi , Aoki Masashi , Kawase Tetsuaki , Katori Yukio
Published: February 2022

Chronic renal failure and diabetes mellitus could also be risk factors of pseudoaneurysm of the internal carotid artery (ICA) due to malignant otitis externa (MOE). Although pseudoaneurysm of the ICA is a rarely encountered disease, it should always be taken into consideration when treating patients of MOE.
Severe stomatitis caused by osimertinib combined with gefitinib: A case report
Authors: Zhu Ya‐ning , Li Li , Zhang Peng , Zuo Yan , Lei Yu , Bai Jun , Cao Lu , Guo Zhen‐Jun
Published: February 2022

The 2017 NCCN Guidelines for NSCLC recommend epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) as the first‐line treatment for patients with gene‐sensitive mutations of pulmonary adenocarcinoma. The TKI combination can effectively inhibit the gene mutations caused by the drug resistance and enhance the antitumor effect. However, more clinical investigations are required of the efficacy and the adverse drug reactions (ADRs) of this combination. A 62‐year‐old female patient diagnosed as lung adenocarcinoma with brain metastasis, meningeal metastasis, multiple bone metastasis, and liver metastasis was treated with the combination of gefitinib and osimertinib. Evident improvement was observed after 10 days of combined treatment with these tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), including in the CT features and symptoms. The level of tumor marker CEA decreased significantly after 40 days. However, severe stomatitis occurred after 49 days. By analyzing the relationship between stomatitis and TKI combined treatment based on the temporal correlation, instructions and literature reports, mechanisms, and reaction, we discovered that the combination of the two TKI drugs can increase the incidence and severity of severe stomatitis. Following targeted treatment and drug withdrawal, the patient fully recovered. TKI combination may increase the incidence and severity of stomatitis, suggesting that closely care and timely withdrawal are necessary measures.
Using the extract of pomegranate peel as a natural indicator for colorimetric detection and simultaneous determination of Fe3+ and Fe2+ by partial least squares–artificial neural network
Authors: Khani Shokoofeh , Mohajer Fatemeh , Mohammadi Ziarani Ghodsi , Badiei Alireza , Ghasemi Jahan B.
Published: February 2022

A simple, novel, biocompatible, and sensitive spectrophotometric method was developed for colorimetric detection and speciation of Fe3+ and Fe2+ ions. The method is based on the complex formation of Fe3+ and Fe2+ with organic constituents containing functional groups in pomegranate peel extract (PG). Developing of the color is specifically established in the presence of Fe3+ and Fe2+. Accordingly, in addition to direct detection of both cations, we carried out a quantitative multivariate model for their accurate determination in real matrix aqueous samples. Due to spectral interference, the simultaneous determination of Fe3+ and Fe2+ mixtures using spectrophotometry is a problematic issue. A combined multivariate as partial least squares (PLS)–artificial neural network (ANN) was used to create and adjust a model and predict said cations in test and real sample sets. In this context, the calibration model is based on absorption spectra in the 400–900 nm range for 98 different mixtures of Fe3+ and Fe2+. Calibration matrices contained 1–12 and 1–10 μg ml−1 of Fe3+ and Fe2+, respectively. The detection limits for Fe3+ and Fe2+ were 0.53 and 0.14 μg ml−1, respectively. The root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) for Fe3+ and Fe2+ with PLS‐ANN was 0.78, 1.65 and 1.062, 0.894 in Kalugan waterfall and Tehran tap water. This strategy can simultaneously determine Fe3+ and Fe2+ in real matrix samples, and the reliability of the determination is acceptable.
New bifunctional 1,3‐diamine organocatalysts derived from (+)‐camphoric acid for asymmetric Michael addition of 1,3‐dicarbonyl compounds to nitroolefins
Authors: Rénio Márcia , Murtinho Dina , Ventura M. Rita
Published: February 2022

Novel 1,3‐diamine‐derived bifunctional thiourea and squaramide organocatalysts were synthesized from (+)‐camphoric acid. These catalysts were easily obtained in up to two to five synthetic steps, in a flexible approach that facilitates their structure variation. Their catalytic activity was examined in the asymmetric Michael addition of 1,3‐dicarbonyl compounds to several trans‐β‐nitrostyrenes. Yields up to 98% and enantiomeric excesses up to 74% and high diastereoselectivities when applicable (dr up to 93:7) were obtained in these reactions showing that 1,3‐diamine‐derived bifunctional thioureas are efficient organocatalysts.
Metalloxidische Materialien
Authors: Seiß Maximilian , Schmitz Sebastian , Moors Marco , Monakhov Kirill
Published: February 2022

Dieser Artikel schildert die Bedeutung metalloxidischer Materialien für viele aktuelle Anwendungsgebiete wie Halbleitertechnik, Sensorik und erneuerbare Energien. Durch die Verwendung neuartiger Materialsysteme und den besonderen Eigenschaften von molekularen Metalloxiden sind dabei auch zukünftig große Fortschritte im Bereich der Energieeffizienz und Leistungsfähigkeit zu erwarten. Allerdings birgt der damit verbundene Bedarf an entsprechenden Rohstoffen und deren Gewinnung auch einiges globales ökologisches und soziales Konfliktpotenzial, wodurch Aspekte wie Recycling und Umweltverträglichkeit weiter an Bedeutung gewinnen werden.
Anorganische Hohlkugeln
Authors: Schubert Ulrich
Published: February 2022

Anorganische Hohlkugeln, mit Durchmessern im Nanometer‐ bis mittleren Mikrometer‐Bereich, haben eine Reihe interessanter Anwendungsmöglichkeiten. Die wichtigsten Herstellungsmethoden verwenden Template, die nach Abscheidung des Schalenmaterials auf ihrer Oberfläche wieder entfernt werden. Das können „harte“ Template sein wie SiO2‐, Kohlenstoff‐ oder Polymer‐Kügelchen, oder aber „weiche“ Template wie Flüssigkeitströpfchen (Emulsionen, Aerosole) oder Gasblasen. Daneben gibt es auch Methoden, bei denen Diffusion von Materie vom Inneren eines Feststoff‐Partikels nach außen ausgenutzt wird.
Understanding the role of land‐use emissions in achieving the Brazilian Nationally Determined Contribution to mitigate climate change
Authors: Wiltshire Andrew J. , von Randow Celso , Rosan Thais M. , Tejada Graciela , Castro Aline A.
Published: February 2022

Brazil has experienced huge areas of forest loss over recent decades with an estimated removal of 80 MHa of natural forest since 1990. Deforestation creates substantial greenhouse emissions that have historically dominated all other sectors. Effective governance has reduced deforestation and net land‐use emissions have fallen by 74% since the mid‐2000s. Anthropogenic carbon removal from secondary forest regrowth and protected areas has increased by 62%, which has helped drive the reduction in net emissions, offsetting gross emissions which have fallen by 44%. Major Brazilian biomes, such as the Atlantic Forest are net‐sinks and the Amazon was near net‐zero in 2010. Deforestation has increased over the last 10‐years and now stands at a decadal high in the Amazon region. These increases in deforestation put Brazil at risk of missing its original National Determined Contribution; however, the recent revision has substantially increased the 2005 baseline and therefore the overall target. Carbon removals in the forest sector play an increasingly important role in reducing emissions and achieving the NDC. The Brazilian target of achieving 12 MHa of reforestation and restoration has the potential to further offset emissions through enhanced regrowth. However, the natural carbon sinks of Brazil are weakening. The Amazon forest is the single largest Brazilian biome for natural carbon uptake but when combined with land‐use emissions has seen a net loss over the last 30 years. The natural sink remains large, but ecosystem resilience is declining driven by global and local climate change linked to rising international emissions and changing circulation patterns associated with local deforestation and degradation. These combine to make realizing the huge potential for carbon removal more challenging. It remains evident that forest protection and avoided degradation and disturbance is the best way to mitigate emissions and reduce climate impacts.
Comparison of Derivative‐Free Algorithms for their Applicability in Self‐Optimization of Chemical Processes
Authors: Soritz Sebastian , Moser Daniel , Gruber‐Wölfler Heidrun
Published: February 2022

In this work, several implementations of different derivative‐free optimization algorithms are compared for the usage in chemical process optimization. As such, a benchmarking process is carried out, using optimization problems of different types to compare reliability, accuracy, and performance. Finally, using an automated reaction setup and a bespoke Python‐based script featuring a graphical user interface, all algorithms are tested in an optimization of a Suzuki‐Miyaura cross‐coupling reaction in continuous flow. To increase the scope of comparison, a model function based on the reaction is also used, to allow for a more in‐depth comparison without the use of physical resources.
Similar Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Biosimilar SAR342434 Insulin Lispro and Japan‐Approved Humalog Insulin Lispro in Healthy Japanese Subjects
Authors: Shiramoto Masanari , Yoshihara Tatsuya , Schmider Wolfgang , Takahashi Yoshinori , Nowotny Irene , Kajiwara Miyuki , Muto Hideya
Published: February 2022

This phase 1 study compared the pharmacokinetic (PK) and glucose pharmacodynamic (PD) characteristics of biosimilar SAR342434 insulin lispro and Japan‐reference Humalog insulin lispro. This was a randomized, double‐blind, 2‐period, crossover study. Thirty‐six healthy Japanese male subjects underwent a 10‐hour euglycemic clamp following a single subcutaneous 0.3‐U/kg dose of SAR342434 or Humalog. Insulin lispro concentration and blood glucose were measured, and the glucose infusion rate (GIR) was adjusted to maintain the target blood glucose level. Primary PK end points were maximum plasma insulin lispro concentration and area under the plasma insulin concentration–time curve (AUC) from time 0 to the last quantifiable concentration. Primary PD end points were area under the GIR–time curve from time 0 to 10 hours and maximum GIR. PK exposure (maximum plasma concentration and AUC from time 0 to the last quantifiable concentration) and PD activity (GIR‐AUC from time 0 to 10 hours and maximum GIR) were similar between treatments. Geometric mean ratios were close to 1, and the corresponding 90% and 95%CIs (PK and PD activity, respectively) were within the 0.80 to 1.25 equivalence range. SAR342434 and Humalog were well tolerated. In healthy Japanese males, SAR342434 and Humalog showed similar PK exposure profiles and PD potency, in support of SAR342434 use as a biosimilar product.
Combined deep centralized coordinate learning and hybrid loss for human activity recognition
Authors: Bourjandi Masoumeh , Yadollahzadeh‐Tabari Meisam , Golsorkhtabaramiri Mehdi
Published: February 2022

Human activity recognition has been a popular research topic in recent years. The rapid development of deep learning techniques has greatly helped researchers to achieve success in this field. During the training process with deep learning techniques, features and time dependencies between them are well learned. However, researchers generally ignore the distribution of extracted features in the coordinate space despite their significant effect on classification and network convergence status. The present article utilizes a simple but effective centralized coordinate learning method that dispersedly spans extracted features across the coordinate space. This method causes the angle between the features of different classes to increase significantly. A hybrid loss function is also suggested to enhance the discriminative power of learned features. Some experiments were carried out on the OPPORTUNITY and the PAMAP2 datasets. The results showed that the proposed method outperformed the recently proposed deep learning methods, including the Deep ConvLSTM, CNN‐LSTM‐ELM, and Hybrid methods. This high efficiency was due to the identification of discriminative features.
Design of a novel non‐volatile hybrid spintronic true random number generator
Authors: Jape Siddhant , Joshi Vinod Kumar , Barla Prashanth
Published: February 2022

True random number generators (TRNGs) are mainly used in cryptographic applications for the generation of various keys. A standard CMOS‐based TRNG utilizes physical phenomena such as thermal noise, metastability, and oscillator jitter to generate fully non‐deterministic random outputs but has high power dissipation and a large overhead area. In this work, we develop a novel low power non‐volatile TRNG circuit that utilizes the inherent stochastic switching nature of magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) as a randomness source. Thanks to the capabilities of MTJ and carbon nanotube field‐effect transistors (CNTFETs), the proposed TRNG circuit consumes low power when compared with conventional CMOS‐based TRNGs. The reliability of the proposed circuit is checked by running the corner case tests that considers all the process and environmental variations. The quality of the output bitstream is evaluated by running the twelve statistical randomness tests by the U.S National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The circuit passes all the tests, meaning the output bit‐stream is truly random. The circuit is designed in such a way that, even if the power is turned off, the quality of the randomness is not affected. The proposed TRNG structure has a less complex design and generates truly random output.
On the mitigation of cancellation errors in hybrid fluid‐kinetic methods for solving kinetic equations describing neutrals in the plasma edge
Authors: Bringmans Levie , Maes Vince , Koellermeier Julian , Samaey Giovanni
Published: February 2022

One of the key aspects when simulating the plasma edge is the treatment of the neutral particles. Neutral particles can be described by a kinetic equation, which is difficult to solve due to the high dimensionality of the phase space and the high collisionality between the neutral particles and the plasma background, especially in the (partially) detached regimes anticipated for future reactors. We consider a recently proposed hybrid fluid‐kinetic method that is based on a micro–macro decomposition of the kinetic equation and mitigates the problems related to both the high dimensionality and the high collisionality. However, this method is prone to cancellation errors due to the introduction of particles with both positive and negative weights. In each iteration of the method, the particles undergo a weight projection step, which we identify as the main source of cancellation errors. We use techniques from numerical linear algebra for solving ill‐conditioned linear systems to improve the numerical stability of the weight projection step and reduce the cancellation errors. The reduction of cancellation errors allows for further speedup in the hybrid fluid‐kinetic method.
Consider outcomes‐based funding, special assistance during COVID‐19
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: February 2022

In 2017, the Colorado Commission on Higher Education laid out an ambitious goal for the state: increasing the percentage of adults, aged 25–34, who hold a postsecondary credential from 49% to 66% by 2025. “The reality today is that increasing the number of Coloradans with postsecondary education is crucial to our state's future economic vitality.
Higher education cannot return to normal
Authors: Hodges Dawn Z.
Published: February 2022

Having worked in higher education for 40 years, I have many friends, acquaintances, and former colleagues who are educators. Not long ago, I asked a group of them “What is the worst thing about higher education moving into 2022?” I wasn't really trying to be a Negative Nancy, although it might seem like that. I just wanted to get at the heart of what is on the minds of college and university professionals.
An engineered abcb4 expression model reveals the central role of NF‐κB in the regulation of drug resistance in zebrafish
Authors: Sun Cong‐Jie , Hu Rong‐Yin , Li Zhi‐Cao , Jin Lu , Lu He , He Zhi‐Xu , Shu Li‐Ping
Published: February 2022

Multi‐drug resistance (MDR) is a phenomenon that tumor cells are exposed to a chemotherapeutic drug for a long time and then develop resistance to a variety of other anticancer drugs with different structures and different mechanisms. The in vitro studies of tumor cell lines cannot systematically reflect the role of MDR gene in vivo, and the cost of in vivo studies of transgenic mice as animal models is high. Given the myriad merits of zebrafish relative to other animal models, we aimed to establish a screening system using zebrafish stably expressing ATP‐binding cassette (ATP‐cassette) superfamily transporters and unveil the potential regulatory mechanism. We first used the Tol2‐mediated approach to construct a Tg (abcb4:EGFP) transgenic zebrafish line with ATP‐binding cassette (ABC) subfamily B member 4 (abcb4) gene promoter to drive EGFP expression. The expression levels of abcb4 and EGFP were significantly increased when Tg(abcb4:EGFP) transgenic zebrafish embryos were exposed to doxorubicin (DOX) or vincristine (VCR), and the increases were accompanied by a marked decreased accumulation of rhodamine B (RhB) in embryos, indicating a remarkable increase in DOX or VCR efflux. Mechanistically, Akt and Erk signalings were activated upon the treatment with DOX or VCR. With the application of Akt and Erk inhibitors, drug resistance was reversed with differing responsive effects. Notably, downstream NF‐κB played a central role in the regulation of abcb4‐mediated drug resistance. Taken together, the data indicate that the engineered Tg(abcb4:EGFP) transgenic zebrafish model is a new platform for screening drug resistance in vivo, which may facilitate and accelerate the process of drug development.
Influence of environmental variables on macroinvertebrate community structure in Lianhuan Lake
Authors: Dou Qianming , Du Xue , Cong Yanfeng , Wang Le , Zhao Chen , Song Dan , Liu Hui , Huo Tangbin
Published: February 2022

The structural characteristics of the macroinvertebrate community can effectively reflect the health status of lake ecosystems and the quality of the lake ecological environment. It is therefore important to identify the limiting factors of macroinvertebrate community structure for the maintenance of lake ecosystem health. In this study, the community composition of macroinvertebrate assemblages and their relationships with environmental variables were investigated in 13 small lakes within Lianhuan Lake in northern China. A self‐organizing map and K‐means clustering analysis grouped the macroinvertebrate communities into five groups, and the indicator species reflected the environmental characteristics of each group. Principal component analysis indicated that the classification of the macroinvertebrate communities was affected by environmental variables. The Kruskal–Wallis test results showed that environmental variables (pH, total phosphorus, nitrate, water temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, permanganate index, and ammonium) had a significant effect on the classification of the macroinvertebrate communities. Redundancy analysis showed that mollusks were significantly negatively correlated with pH and chlorophyll a, while annelids and aquatic insects were significantly positively correlated with chlorophyll a and dissolved oxygen. Spearman correlation analysis showed that the species richness and Shannon's diversity of macroinvertebrates were significantly negatively correlated with total phosphorus, while the biomass of macroinvertebrates was significantly negatively correlated with pH. High alkalinity and lake eutrophication have a serious impact on the macroinvertebrate community. Human disturbances, such as industrial and agricultural runoff, negatively impact the ecological environment and affect macroinvertebrate community structure. Thus, macroinvertebrate community structure should be improved by enhancing the ecological environment and controlling environmental pollution at a watershed scale.
Individual variation in reaction norms but no directional selection in reproductive plasticity of a wild passerine population
Authors: Chik Heung Ying Janet , Estrada Catalina , Wang Yiqing , Tank Priyesha , Lord Alex , Schroeder Julia
Published: February 2022

In the plant–insect–insectivorous bird food chain, directional changes in climate can result in mismatched phenology, potentially affecting selection pressures. Phenotypic plasticity in the timing of breeding, characterized by reaction norm slopes, can help maximize fitness when faced with earlier prey emergence. In temperate passerines, the timing of tree budburst influences food availability for chicks through caterpillar phenology and the resulting food abundance patterns. Thus, the timing of tree budburst might serve as a more direct proxy for the cue to time egg‐laying. The evolutionary potential of breeding plasticity relies on heritable variation, which is based upon individual variation, yet studies on individual variation in plasticity are few. Here, we tested for the laying date—budburst date and the clutch size—laying date reaction norms, and examined 1) the among‐individual variance in reaction norm intercepts and slopes; and 2) the selection differentials and gradients on these intercepts and slopes. Using long‐term data of oak (genus Quercus) budburst and blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) reproduction, we applied within‐subject centering to detect reaction norms, followed by bivariate random regression to quantify among‐individual variance in reaction norm properties and their covariance with fitness. Individuals significantly differed in intercepts and slopes of both laying date—budburst date and clutch size—laying date reaction norms, and directional selection was present for an earlier laying date and a larger clutch size (intercepts), but not on plasticity (slopes). We found that individuals have their own regimes for adjusting egg‐laying and clutch size. This study provides further support of individual variation of phenotypic plasticity in birds.
Effects of soil resource availability on patterns of plant functional traits across spatial scales
Authors: Li Yanpeng , Xu Han , Chen Jie , Xiao Yihua , Ni Yunlong , Zhang Ruyun , Ye Wanhui , Lian Juyu
Published: February 2022

Identifying patterns and drivers of plant community assembly has long been a central issue in ecology. Many studies have explored the above questions using a trait‐based approach; however, there are still unknowns around how patterns of plant functional traits vary with environmental gradients. In this study, the responses of individual and multivariate trait dispersions of 134 species to soil resource availability were examined based on correlational analysis and torus‐translation tests across four spatial scales in a subtropical forest, China. Results indicated that different degrees of soil resource availability had different effects on trait dispersions. Specifically, limited resource (available phosphorus) showed negative relationships with trait dispersions, non‐limited resource (available potassium) showed positive relationships with trait dispersions, and saturated resource (available nitrogen) had no effect on trait dispersions. Moreover, compared with the stem (wood density) and architectural trait (maximum height), we found that leaf functional traits can well reflect the response of plants to nutrient gradients. Lastly, the spatial scale only affected the magnitude but not the direction of the correlations between trait dispersions and environmental gradients. Overall, the results highlight the importance of soil resource availability and spatial scale in understanding how plant functional traits respond to environmental gradients.
Phenotypic plasticity of light use favors a plant invader in nitrogen‐enriched ecosystems
Authors: Xu Xiao , Zhou Chenhao , He Qiang , Qiu Shiyun , Zhang Yan , Yang Ji , Li Bo , Nie Ming
Published: February 2022

Eutrophication is believed to promote plant invasion, resulting in high growth performances of invasive plants and, therefore, the great potential for growth‐induced intraspecific competition for light. Current hypotheses predict how eutrophication promotes plant invasion but fail to explain how great invasiveness is maintained under eutrophic conditions. In diverse native communities, co‐occurring plants of varying sizes can avoid light competition by exploiting light complementarily; however, whether this mechanism applies to intraspecific competition in invasive plant populations remains unknown. Using a 2‐year field nitrogen (N)‐enrichment experiment on one of the global invasive plants, Spartina alterniflora, we found that the plasticity of light use reduced intraspecific competition and increased biomass production in S. alterniflora. This plasticity effect was enhanced when S. alterniflora had no nutrient limitations. In the N‐enrichment treatments, the height difference among S. alterniflora ramets increased as light intensity decreased under the canopy. Compared with ambient N, under N enrichment, shorter individuals increased their light‐use efficiency and specific leaf area in response to the reduced light intensity under the canopy. However, such ecophysiological plasticity was not found for taller individuals. Our findings revealed that the light‐use plasticity of short individuals can be envisaged as a novel mechanism by which an invasive plant alleviates intraspecific competition and increases its invasiveness, challenging the prevailing perspective that the invasiveness of exotic plants is constrained by intraspecific competition.
A visual method for threshold detection of sediment motion in a flume experiment without human interference
Authors: Vah Mélanie , Khoury Alaa , Jarno Armelle , Marin François
Published: February 2022

An experimental investigation of the entrainment threshold of sediment grains conducted in a non‐tiltable flume is reported and an original processing method based on image correlation suitable for detection of sediment threshold of motion is presented. Unlike existing visual measurement methods, the proposed method is not affected by the individual judgement of the experimentalists, which may strongly impact the estimation of incipient motion. Three entrainment thresholds were exhibited. The method highlighted a first threshold for very low shear stress conditions that was interpreted as a nascent movement threshold. The other two thresholds of motion were related to distinct stages of surface mobility of the bed: one related to bedload threshold and the other to bedform threshold. Series of tests were first performed to study the sensitivity of the method to different parameters: angle of view of the camera, size of the image and acceleration rate of the linear ramp of flow velocity. A ratio of the image surface and the grain surface equal to 3000 was found to be the minimum size to perform reliable estimations of entrainment thresholds for all the sediments in the range of 0.328–2.648 mm tested. It was the only condition for the method to work. Once the method was validated, tests were performed with homogeneous sands and compared to results based on reference‐based and visual methods. The correlation method yields similar values for the bedload threshold to those obtained from reference‐based methods. Thus it could be an alternative to other methodologies by the simplicity of its implementation, precision, no requirement for human interference and direct correlation between threshold velocity and bed mobility without extrapolation.
Hydrologic modification and channel evolution degrades connectivity on the Atchafalaya River floodplain
Authors: Kroes Daniel E. , Demas Charles R. , Allen Yvonne A. , Day Richard H. , Roberts Steven W. , Varisco Jeff
Published: February 2022

The Atchafalaya River Basin is the largest remaining forested wetland in the contiguous United States. Since 1960, dredging and channel erosion in the Basin have resulted in changes to the hydrologic connectivity that have not been quantified. Analyses were conducted to determine the hydraulic and geomorphic factors that have changed since discharge became controlled that may have decreased river/floodplain connectivity. We examined: (1) stage/discharge relationships from 1960 to 2014; (2) hydroperiods across the floodplain; (3) discharge distribution to the floodplain by comparing discharge measurements from 1959–1968 to 2005–2012; and (4) channel cross‐sections and floodplain elevations. Our results indicate that much of the floodplain no longer receives headwater discharge (upstream to downstream, > 200 km2) or receives too little discharge to alleviate stagnancy and hypoxia in the forested wetland at lower stages. Large portions of the Basin (400 km2) have low water levels controlled by channel geomorphology and sea‐level rise that inundate the forested floodplain for more than 50% of the calendar year. This extended duration of inundation contributes to hypoxia and likely reduces nutrient retention. The confinement of discharge to a large efficient channel compromises the ability of this system to respond to sea‐level rise and subsidence. This study provides insight to the effects of flood management projects along Coastal Plain rivers and deltas.