bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Studying Protein Tyrosine O‐Sulfation in Mammalian Cells with Genetically Encoded Sulfotyrosine
Authors: He Xinyuan , Guo Jiantao , Niu Wei
Published: November 2021

Protein tyrosine O‐sulfation (PTS) is a post‐translational modification (PTM) that occurs exclusively on secreted and membrane‐bound proteins. It participates in a wide range of important biological processes and is involved in the development of many diseases. The biomedical importance of PTS can only be fully unveiled when the right chemical/biological tools are available. This article outlines the steps for using an engineered Escherichia coli tyrosyl‐tRNA synthetase to genetically encode sulfotyrosine (sTyr) for biological investigations of PTS in mammalian cells. Two basic protocols are described to demonstrate this methodology, including the site‐specific incorporation of sTyr into eGFP protein in HEK293T cells and the functional study of an sTyr‐containing CXCR4 protein using a calcium mobilization assay. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol 1: Site‐specific incorporation of sTyr into eGFP

Basic Protocol 2: Functional study of site‐specifically sulfated CXCR4
Azido Functionalized Nucleosides Linked to Controlled Pore Glass as Suitable Starting Materials for Oligonucleotide Synthesis by the Phosphoramidite Approach
Authors: Müggenburg Frederik , Biallas Alexander , Debiais Mégane , Smietana Michael , Müller Sabine
Published: November 2021

It has long been debated whether easily reducible azide groups can withstand the conditions of oligonucleotide synthesis by phosphoramidite chemistry. We have synthesized various 2′‐ and 3′‐azido modified nucleosides and immobilized them on controlled pore glass (CPG) to be used as starting material for the synthesis of oligonucleotides (ONs) with 3′‐terminal azide (attached to C2′ or C3′). In a model study, immobilized 3′‐azidoadenosine was used as a starting block for the synthesis of a series of oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) of increasing length. Upon synthesis, the ODNs were enzymatically digested into monomers and analyzed by RP‐HPLC. A peak corresponding to 3′‐azidoadenosine was clearly identified in all samples. Quantitative analysis showed that 3′‐azidoadenosine was present in nearly the expected ratio to deoxycytidine, which was used as an internal standard. Most importantly, the ratio remained the same for all three ODNs regardless of their length, demonstrating that a higher number of coupling cycles does not lead to higher degradation of the azide. Thus, 2′‐ or 3′‐azido nucleosides attached to a solid support are excellent starting materials for the synthesis of oligonucleotides with 3′‐terminal azide.
Chemogenetic inhibition of trigeminal ganglion neurons attenuates behavioural and neural pain responses in a model of trigeminal neuropathic pain
Authors: Korczeniewska Olga A. , James Morgan H. , Eliav Tali , Katzmann Rider Giannina , Mehr Jacqueline B. , Affendi Hafsa , Aston‐Jones Gary , Benoliel Rafael
Published: November 2021

Background

Nerve injury can lead to ectopic activation of injured nociceptorsand central sensitization characterized by allodynia and hyperalgesia. Reduction in the activity of primary afferent neurons has been shown to be sufficient in alleviating peripherally generated pain. The cell bodies of such trigeminal nociceptors are located in the trigeminal ganglia (TG) with central processes that terminate in the brainstem trigeminal nucleus caudalis (TNC). The TG is therefore a strategic locus where afferent input can be manipulated. We hypothesized that chemogenetic inhibition of TG would suppress TNC neuronal activity and attenuate pain behaviour in a rat model of painful traumatic trigeminal neuropathy (PTTN).

Methods

Trigeminal neuropathic pain was induced in adult male Sprague–Dawley rats (n = 24) via chronic constriction injury to the infraorbital nerve (ION‐CCI). Naïve and sham rats were used as controls (n = 20/group). Rats within each group received TG‐directed microinjections of AAV virus containing either the inhibitory hM4Di‐DREADD construct or EGFP.

Results

In the ION‐CCI group, systemic administration of the DREADD agonist clozapine N‐oxide (CNO) reversed the hypersensitivity phenotype in animals expressing hM4Di but not EGFP. CNO‐mediated activation of hM4Di DREADD in ION‐CCI animals was also associated with reduced Fos expression in the TNC elicited by repeated mechanical stimulation of the dermatome ipsilateral to the injury. There was no effect of CNO on pain behaviour or TNC Fos expression in eGFP animals.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that DREADDs may offer an effective therapeutic approach for treatment of trigeminal neuropathic pain.

Significance

Trigeminal neuropathic pain is highly resistant to therapy and we are in dire need of novel approaches. This study provides further evidence for the successful application of DREADDs as an effective tool for modulating central nervous system function. CNO mediated activation of hM4Di‐DREADDs in the trigeminal ganglion (TG) attenuates nerve injury induced neuropathic pain by acting on hyperactive TG cells. It also establishes the TG as an effective target to manage pain in the face and head. Accessing the TG in clinical populations is a relatively simple and safe procedure, making this approach highly significant. Moreover, the methodology described here has applications in trigeminal neuropathic pain from traumatic other etiologies and in spinal neuropathic pain. Chronic pain syndromes are characterized by a progressive failure of brain centers to adequately inhibit pain and as these are identified, we may be able to target them for therapy. Therefore, our findings might have wide application in chronic pain syndromes.
What's luck got to do with it? Commentary on Rowland and Spaniol (2021)
Authors: von der Gracht Heiko A.
Published: November 2021

This commentary refers to the retrospective review by Rowland and Spaniol in Futures and Foresight Science (2021), which provides interesting insights into Kees van der Heijden's character and work 25 years after his famous book Scenarios: The art of strategic conversation was first published. The commentator draws on his own personal experience of Kees' work and book, including a seminar with him at the University of Oxford in 2011, as well as applying the book's fundamentals in his own research and advisory work over the past ten years.
Second law analysis of pseudo‐plastic nanofluid stream past a stretching sheet with a sliding consequence
Authors: Dey Debasish , Hazarika Madhurya
Published: November 2021

The entropy generation (second law of thermodynamics) analysis of gyrotactic microorganism flow of power‐law nanofluid with slip effects and combined effect of heat and mass transfer past a stretching sheet has been studied. The flow is maintained with Lorentz force and thermal radiation. The governing nonlinear partial differential equations are transformed into ordinary differential equations using similarity transformations. The impact of different physical parameters, such as convective bouncy parameter, power‐law parameter, Brownian motion parameter, thermophoresis parameter, and slip parameter for velocity and temperature on the entropy generation number (Ns) are plotted graphically with the help of MATLAB built in bvp4c solver technique. Further, the uniqueness of this study is to find out the ratios of various irreversibilities due to thermal and mass diffusions, momentum diffusion, and microorganism over the total entropy generation rate. Our results showed that the power‐law parameter and Brownian motion parameter influenced entropy generation positively. The slip parameter for velocity and temperature and the thermophoresis parameter helps to reduce the entropy production.
How powerful are fiscal and monetary policies in a directed technical change model with humans and robots?
Authors: Afonso Oscar , Forte Rosa
Published: November 2021

We develop a dynamic general equilibrium model where robots can be substituted for unskilled labour and public authorities can use fiscal and monetary policies to influence the macroeconomic aggregates. We show that an increase in the use of robots increases the competitiveness of the unskilled sector and decreases the technological knowledge gap. However, under substitutability, unskilled workers are replaced by robots, and due to the magnitude of this effect the wage inequality increases. To mitigate this impact, public authorities can resort to fiscal and monetary policies. For instance, taxation on robots will induce the substitution of robots by unskilled labour, thus benefiting the unskilled labour—relative employment and wages.
Local‐scale rainy season onset detection: A new approach based on principal component analysis and its application to Vietnam
Authors: Pham‐Thanh Ha , Phan‐Van Tan , Fink Andreas H. , van der Linden Roderick
Published: November 2021

In rain‐fed farming systems, the rainy season onset date (RSOD) is of utmost importance. RSODs are often defined by applying fixed thresholds to station data or by quantifying changes in the large‐scale atmospheric circulation between the dry and wet seasons. In this study, a new improved approach is proposed and applied to determine RSODs for Vietnam based on daily rainfall station data for the period 1979–2019. In this approach, the inter‐annual similarity between station‐based RSODs and regional‐scale RSOD signal, obtained by applying principal component analysis to multiple fields, was examined. The method allows to quantify the sensitivity of RSODs to three thresholds chosen; the rainfall amount of an initial wet spell (P), the number of wet days (N), and duration of control period (D). It is demonstrated that the sensitivity to the choice of the thresholds varies across stations and sub‐regions. In particular, P is a principal parameter to determine RSODs with the significant control at 66.4% stations over entire Vietnam. While D plays an important role at 55.7% stations, and N seems to be less important, which influences only 31.3% stations. The results also reflected that the selected optimal criteria for each station captured very well the rainy seasonal cycle of Vietnam. Trends towards earlier onset dates are found for large parts of central Vietnam, whereas several northern stations show a trend towards later onsets. The new method can be applied to other monsoon regions to define more spatially coherent thresholds to define local, agriculturally relevant rainy season onsets.
Effects of sodium hydrosulfide and rhizobia on the growth rate, nutrient stoichiometry, and nutrient resorption of soybean (Glycine maxL.)#
Authors: Chen Juan , Liu Wu‐Yu , Zhang Wei‐Qin , Zhang Ya‐Mei , Zhao Yi‐Wen , Wei Ge‐Hong
Published: November 2021

Background and aims

NaHS, a donor of hydrogen sulfide (H2S), which is emerging as a potential signaling molecule, may regulate various physiological processes in plants. However, how soybean (Glycine maxL.) responds to NaHS and rhizobia (Sinorhizobium fredii) inoculation remains unclear.

Methods

We explored the effects of NaHS and rhizobia on the growth rate, nodules, nitrogenase activities (NA), chlorophyll content, soluble protein content, photosynthesis (Pn), chlorophyll fluorescent parameters, endogenous H2S accumulation,l/d‐cysteine desulfhydrase (GmLCDandGmDCD) gene expression, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) contents, and nutrient resorption.

Results

The results showed that rhizobia significantly increased the shoot, root, total dry weight, and growth rate, and NaHS promoted nodule numbers and NA in soybean. Moreover, chlorophyll content, soluble protein content, Pn, endogenous H2S accumulation, andGmLCDandGmDCDgene expression levels were promoted by NaHS and rhizobia. In addition, during all growth stages of soybean, the levels of N, P, and K and the N:P ratio in different tissues were affected by NaHS and rhizobia. Additionally, NaHS and rhizobia also significantly enhanced N resorption efficiency (NRE) and K resorption efficiency (KRE), but decreased P resorption efficiency (PRE).

Conclusion

Therefore, NaHS and rhizobia regulated the growth rate, nutrient stoichiometry, and nutrient resorption efficiency of soybean. These findings provide information that will be useful for predicting how NaHS and rhizobia lead to variations in nutrient uptake and nutrient conservation strategies.
Applied GA5, GA4, and GA4/7 increase berry number per bunch, yield, and grape quality for winemaking in Vitis vinifera L. cv. Malbec
Authors: Berli Federico J , Alonso Rodrigo , Pharis Richard P , Bottini Rubén
Published: November 2021

BACKGROUND

The gibberellins (GAs) GA5 (inhibitor of GA3‐oxidase), GA4 (biologically active), GA4/7 (commercially available mixture of Ga4 and GA7) prohexadione‐calcium (ProCa, inhibitor of dioxygenases that render GAs bioactive, negative control), and GA3 (positive control) were applied to bunches of Vitis vinifera cv. Malbec. Different techniques, doses, and timings were used in a 3‐year field experiment. In year 1, GA5, ProCa, and GA3 were applied at 35, 20, and 0 days before veraison (DBV) by dipping bunches three times. In year 2, single applications of GA5 and GA3, also by immersion, were tested at 60, 45, and 30 DBV. In year 3, applications at 60 and 30 DBV of GA5, GA4, and a mixture of GA4/7 were evaluated by dipping or spraying the bunches.

RESULTS

Vegetative growth, berry weight, and sugar content were unaffected by treatments. ProCa did not affect the yield with respect to water control, although it reduced the levels of phenolics in berry skins, an undesirable effect for winemaking. GA5, in the dose range 5–50 mg L−1, raised berry numbers, thereby augmenting bunch weight and skin phenolics at harvest, so increasing berry quality for winemaking. GA4 and GA4/7 produced similar benefits to GA5, with similar doses.

CONCLUSION

The applications of GA5, GA4, and GA4/7 to developing grape berry bunches, in a range of concentrations and by dipping or spraying, increased berry numbers per bunch at harvest. The method can be used as a viticultural practice to improve the production and quality of wine grapes. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Highly Efficient and Broadband Achromatic Transmission Metasurface to Refract and Focus in Microwave Region
Authors: Ji Wenye , Cai Tong , Xi Zheng , Urbach Paul
Published: November 2021

Achromatic devices have wide application prospects in radar and imaging fields. However, chromatic aberration and limited bandwidth restrict their development. Moreover, broadband and highly efficient achromatic devices working in transmission mode are still difficult to realize. In this paper, broadband highly efficient achromatic transmission in the microwave region by a metasurface is achieved. First, the ideal dispersion conditions of achromatic meta‐atoms are given. Then, a polarization selective grating metasurface and a split ring slot metasurface are designed using the transfer matrix method and equivalent circuit theory, respectively. The former is used to control phase characteristics while the latter enables controlling dispersion. Phase and dispersion can be controlled independently by cascading them and any phase curve can be designed as is desired. In order to verify the strategy, an achromatic deflector and an achromatic lens are designed and samples are fabricated. The experimental results show that the deflector can realize achromatic refraction from 9.3 to 12.3 GHz with average efficiency 77.5% and the lens can realize achromatic focusing from 9.8 to 12.2 GHz with average efficiency 78.9%, respectively. The experimental results are in good agreement with theory. The findings provide valuable strategy for achromatic devices design, which can be widely applied.
Theoretical studies of the concentration dependences of d–d transition band, g factors, and local distortion for V4+ in Li2O–PbO–B2O3–P2O5 glasses
Authors: Lyu Jun‐Rui , Wu Shao‐Yi , Hong Yu‐Jing , Wu Hao , Dong Hui‐Ning
Published: November 2021

In this work, the g factors, d–d transition band, local distortion, and their concentration dependences for impurity V4+ in 20Li2O–20PbO–45B2O3–(15 − x)P2O5:V2O5 (0 ≤ x ≤ 2.5 mol%) glasses are theoretically investigated by using perturbation formulas of g factors for a tetragonally compressed octahedral 3d1 cluster. In the light of the cubic polynomial concentration functions for cubic field parameter Dq, covalency factor N, and relative tetragonal compression ratio ρ, the calculated concentration dependences of d–d transition band and g factors for V4+ show good agreement with the experimental data. With increasing x, N (≈0.7682–0.8165) displays the monotonously increasing trend, whereas ρ (≈6.5–4.2%) and Dq (≈1504.9–1481.1 cm−1) exhibit the decreasing tendencies. The above concentration dependences can be ascribed to the modifications of the V4+–O2− bonding and orbital admixtures around the impurity V4+ due to the effects of V2O5 doping on the stability of the glass network, the strength of local crystal fields, and the electron cloud distribution.
How to distinguish duck and wader remains eaten by the peregrine falconFalco peregrinusfrom those eaten by other birds of prey and humans: A taphonomic analysis
Authors: Bochenski Zbigniew M. , Wertz Krzysztof , Tornberg Risto , Korpimäki Veli‐Matti
Published: November 2021

Bird bones from archeological sites near cliffs and at the entrance to caves may have been accumulated by the peregrine falcon and not by humans. To find out who deposited these remains—humans, peregrine falcons, or some other predators—taphonomic studies must be carried out. This study shows the characteristic damage to the bones of modern birds done by peregrine falcons. These include greater than expected abundance of humeri and coracoids, relatively little fragmentation of long bones, perforations mainly seen in the sternum and humerus, and characteristic proportions of the preserved skeleton elements. The described features make it possible to clearly distinguish food remains deposited by diurnal birds of prey from those accumulated by humans or owls. To identify the most likely species of bird of prey that has accumulated a given assemblage, it is important not only to establish the taxonomic composition of the assemblage but also to take into account the prey size preferred by the various raptors. The present research shows that the differences between bone damage of different victims of peregrine falcons are relatively small, which indicates that the results of our research are quite universal and can be applied to different geographic areas inhabited by different species of birds.
Three‐dimensional structure of xylonolactonase from Caulobacter crescentus: A mononuclear iron enzyme of the 6‐bladed β‐propeller hydrolase family
Authors: Pääkkönen Johan , Hakulinen Nina , Andberg Martina , Koivula Anu , Rouvinen Juha
Published: November 2021

Xylonolactonase Cc XylC from Caulobacter crescentus catalyzes the hydrolysis of the intramolecular ester bond of d‐xylonolactone. We have determined crystal structures of Cc XylC in complex with d‐xylonolactone isomer analogues d‐xylopyranose and (r)‐(+)‐4‐hydroxy‐2‐pyrrolidinone at high resolution. Cc XylC has a 6‐bladed β‐propeller architecture, which contains a central open channel having the active site at one end. According to our previous native mass spectrometry studies, Cc XylC is able to specifically bind Fe2+. The crystal structures, presented here, revealed an active site bound metal ion with an octahedral binding geometry. The side chains of three amino acid residues, Glu18, Asn146, and Asp196, which participate in binding of metal ion are located in the same plane. The solved complex structures allowed suggesting a reaction mechanism for intramolecular ester bond hydrolysis in which the major contribution for catalysis arises from the carbonyl oxygen coordination of the xylonolactone substrate to the Fe2+. The structure of Cc XylC was compared with eight other ester hydrolases of the β‐propeller hydrolase family. The previously published crystal structures of other β‐propeller hydrolases contain either Ca2+, Mg2+, or Zn2+ and show clear similarities in ligand and metal ion binding geometries to that of Cc XylC. It would be interesting to reinvestigate the metal binding specificity of these enzymes and clarify whether they are also able to use Fe2+ as a catalytic metal. This could further expand our understanding of utilization of Fe2+ not only in oxidative enzymes but also in hydrolases.
Structural evidence of the oxidation of iodide ion into hyper‐reactive hypoiodite ion by mammalian heme lactoperoxidase
Authors: Singh Prashant K. , Ahmad Nayeem , Yamini Shavait , Singh Rashmi P. , Singh Amit K. , Sharma Pradeep , Smith Michael L. , Sharma Sujata , Singh Tej P.
Published: November 2021

Lactoperoxidase (1.11.1.7, LPO) is a mammalian heme peroxidase found in the extracellular fluids of mammals including plasma, saliva, airway epithelial lining fluids, nasal lining fluid, milk, tears, gastric juices, and intestinal mucosa. To perform its innate immune action against invading microbes, LPO utilizes hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to convert thiocyanate (SCN−) and iodide (I−) ions into the oxidizing compounds hypothiocyanite (OSCN−) and hypoiodite (IO−). Previously determined structures of the complexes of LPO with SCN−, OSCN−, and I− show that SCN− and I− occupy appropriate positions in the distal heme cavity as substrates while OSCN− binds in the distal heme cavity as a product inhibitor. We report here the structure of the complex of LPO with IO− as the first structural evidence of the conversion of iodide into hypoiodite by LPO. To obtain this complex, a solution of LPO was first incubated with H2O2, then mixed with ammonium iodide solution and the complex crystallized by the addition of PEG‐3350, 20% (wt/vol). These crystals were used for X‐ray intensity data collection and structure analysis. The structure determination revealed the presence of four hypoiodite ions in the substrate binding channel of LPO. In addition to these, six other hypoiodite ions were observed at different exterior sites. We surmise that the presence of hypoiodite ions in the distal heme cavity blocks the substrate binding site and inhibits catalysis. This was confirmed by activity experiments with the colorimetric substrate, ABTS (2,2′‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzthiazoline‐sulfonic acid)), in the presence of hypoiodite and iodide ions.
Long‐term first‐in‐man Phase I/II study of an adjuvant dendritic cell vaccine in patients with high‐risk prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy
Authors: Tryggestad Anne M. A. , Axcrona Karol , Axcrona Ulrika , Bigalke Iris , Brennhovd Bjørn , Inderberg Else M. , Hønnåshagen Turid K. , Skoge Lisbeth J. , Solum Guri , Sæbøe‐Larssen Stein , Josefsen Dag , Olaussen Richard W. , Aamdal Steinar , Skotheim Rolf I. , Myklebust Tor Å. , Schendel Dolores J. , Lilleby Wolfgang , Dueland Svein , Kvalheim Gunnar
Published: November 2021

Background

Patients with high‐risk prostate cancer (PC) can experience biochemical relapse (BCR), despite surgery, and develop noncurative disease. The present study aimed to reduce the risk of BCR with a personalized dendritic cell (DC) vaccine, given as adjuvant therapy, after robot‐assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP).

Methods

Twelve weeks after RALP, 20 patients with high‐risk PC and undetectable PSA received DC vaccinations for 3 years or until BCR. The primary endpoint was the time to BCR. The immune response was assessed 7 weeks after surgery (baseline) and at one‐time point during the vaccination period.

Results

Among 20 patients, 11 were BCR‐free over a median of 96 months (range: 84–99). The median time from the end of vaccinations to the last follow‐up was 57 months (range: 45–60). Nine patients developed BCR, either during (n = 4) or after (n = 5) the vaccination period. Among five patients diagnosed with intraductal carcinoma, three experienced early BCR during the vaccination period. All patients that developed BCR remained in stable disease within a median of 99 months (range: 74–99). The baseline immune response was significantly associated with the immune response during the vaccination period (p = 0.015). For patients diagnosed with extraprostatic extension (EPE), time to BCR was longer in vaccine responders than in non‐responders (p = 0.09). Among 12 patients with the International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) grade 5 PC, five achieved remission after 84 months, and all mounted immune responses.

Conclusion

Patients diagnosed with EPE and ISUP grade 5 PC were at particularly high risk of developing postsurgical BCR. In this subgroup, the vaccine response was related to a reduced BCR incidence. The vaccine was safe, without side effects. This adjuvant first‐in‐man Phase I/II DC vaccine study showed promising results. DC vaccines after curative surgery should be investigated further in a larger cohort of patients with high‐risk PC.
On reliability estimation of Nadarajah–Haghighi distribution under adaptive type‐I progressive hybrid censoring scheme
Authors: Almarashi Abdullah M. , Algarni Ali , Okasha Hassan , Nassar Mazen
Published: November 2021

In this paper, the maximum likelihood and Bayesian estimation methods are considered to estimate the unknown parameters, reliability, and hazard rate functions of the Nadarajah–Haghighi (NH) distribution based on adaptive type‐I progressive hybrid censoring (ATIPHC) scheme. The Bayesian estimation is obtained under the assumption of independent gamma priors. The Bayes estimators cannot be obtained in closed form, therefore Lindley's approximation and Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method are used to solve this problem. The approximate confidence (ACIs) and credible intervals are also considered. To compare the efficiency of the different proposed estimators, a simulation study is considered and the performance of the different estimators are compared using mean square error (MSE) and interval length criterion. Finally, one real data set is analyzed in order to show how these mentioned estimators can be applied in practice. The simulation and real data analysis showed that the Bayes estimates have the smallest MSEs and the BCIs have the smallest lengths compared to their conventional counterparts.
Accurate and Real‐Time Detection Method for the Exothermic Behavior of Enzymatic Nano‐Microregions Using Temperature‐Sensitive Amino‐AgInS2 Quantum Dots
Authors: Zhang Hui , Wu Youshen , Tang Peng , Zhu Hongrui , Gan Zhenhai , Zhang Hu‐Qin , Wu Daocheng
Published: November 2021

The thermal behavior of enzymes in nanoscale is of great significance to life phenomena. This nonequilibrium state real‐time thermal behavior of enzymes at nanoscale cannot be accurately detected by existing methods. Herein, a novel method is developed for the detection of this thermal behavior. The enzyme‐quantum dot (QD) conjugates can be obtained by chemically grafting temperature‐sensitive amino‐AgInS2 QDs to the enzyme, where the QDs act as nanothermometers with a sensitivity of −2.82% °C−1. Detecting the photoluminescence intensity changes of the enzyme‐QD conjugates, the real‐time thermal behavior of enzymes can be obtained. The enzyme‐QD conjugates show a temperature difference as high as 6 °C above ambient temperature in nano‐microregions with good reproducibility (maximum error of 4%) during catalysis, while solution temperature hardly changed. This method has a temperature resolution of ≈0.5 °C with a detection limit of 0.02 mg mL−1 of enzyme, and spatially ensured that the amino‐AgInS2 QDs are quantitatively bound to the enzyme; thus, it can accurately detect the exothermic behavior of the enzyme and can be extended to other organisms’ detection. This method has high sensitivity, good stability, and reliability, indicating its great potential application in investigating the thermal behavior of organisms in nanoscale and related life phenomena.
Printed Strain Sensors for On‐Skin Electronics
Authors: Li Yizong , Liu Yuxuan , Bhuiyan Shah Rifat Alam , Zhu Yong , Yao Shanshan
Published: November 2021

On‐skin electronics have drawn extensive attention as they revolutionize many aspects of healthcare, motion tracking, rehabilitation, robotics, human–machine interaction, among others. Flexible and stretchable strain sensors represent one of the most explored devices for on‐skin electronics. Many printing techniques have recently emerged showing great promises for manufacturing strain sensors. Herein, it is aimed to provide a timely survey of recent advancements in printed strain sensors for on‐skin electronics. This review starts with an overview of sensing mechanisms for printed strain sensors, followed by a review of various printing techniques employed in fabricating these sensors. The materials, structures, and printing processes of representative strain sensors are discussed in detail for each printing method. Finally, potential applications of printed flexible and stretchable strain sensors are presented focusing on three areas: healthcare, sports performance monitoring, and human–machine interfaces. The review concludes with a discussion of challenges and opportunities for future research.
Cell-Intrinsic WNT4 Promotes Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cell Self-Renewal
Authors: Hétu-Arbour Roxann , Tlili Mouna , Bandeira Ferreira Fabio Luiz , Abidin Belma Melda , Kwarteng Edward O. , Heinonen Krista M.
Published: November 2021

Although intracellular Wnt signaling pathways need to be tightly regulated to promote hematopoietic stem cell self-renewal, the source and identity of important Wnt ligands in the bone marrow is still largely unknown. The noncanonical ligand Wnt4 is expressed in the bone marrow as well as in the stroma, and its overexpression in fetal liver cells facilitates thymic recovery; however, its impact on adult hematopoietic stem cell function remains unclear. Here, we report that the deletion of Wnt4 from hematopoietic cells in mice (Wnt4Δ/Δ) resulted in decreased lymphopoiesis at steady state. This was likely at least in part due to the increased proinflammatory environment present in the bone marrow of Wnt4Δ/Δ mice. Wnt4Δ/Δ hematopoietic stem cells displayed reduced reconstitution capacity in serial transplants, thus demonstrating defective self-renewal, and they expanded poorly in response to lipopolysaccharide stimulation. This appeared to be the result of the absence of Wnt4 in stem/progenitor cells, as myeloid-restricted Wnt4 deletion had no notable effect. Finally, we observed that Wnt4Δ/Δ stem/progenitor cells were more quiescent, presenting enhanced levels of stress-associated JNK phosphorylation and p16INK4a expression, likely contributing to the reduced expansion observed in transplants. In conclusion, our results identify a new, largely autocrine role for Wnt4 in hematopoietic stem cell self-renewal, suggesting that regulation of Wnt signaling in hematopoiesis may not need Wnt secretion and could be independent of morphogen gradients.
Generalized ferrofluid based lubrication equation and its application to porous journal bearing
Authors: Shah Rajesh C. , Shah Rajiv B.
Published: November 2021

This paper derived generalized ferrofluid based lubrication equation (based on the Shliomis model) from the basic theory for variable as well as uniform (transverse) strong magnetic fields. The variable magnetic field (VMF) is used because of retaining contributions from all magnetic terms of the Shliomis model. Moreover, it has an added advantage of generating maximum field at the required active contact zone in the bearing design system. Using above equation for variable and strong magnetic field, the case of porous journal bearing (PJB) is studied by considering equation of continuity in the film as well as porous region. The validity of the Darcy's law is assumed in the porous region. The modified Reynolds‐Darcy equation for PJB is derived by considering the effects of squeeze velocity, anisotropic permeability and slip velocity. The results show that dimensionless load‐carrying capacity increases with the increase of eccentricity ratio and the effect of magnetic field, and performed best for the decreasing values of the dimensionless permeability parameter in the x‐direction for a thin layer of the porous region. Moreover, the results are also compared with the behavior of different types of journal bearing designs discussed by different authors.
Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) and Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Zhang Yilin , Liu Dongwei , Liu Zhangsuo
Published: November 2021

The impact of ambient particulate matter (PM) on public health has become a great global concern, which is especially prominent in developing countries. For health purposes, PM is typically defined by size, with the smaller particles having more health impacts. Particles with a diameter <2.5 μm are called PM2.5. Initial research studies have focused on the impact of PM2.5 on respiratory and cardiovascular diseases; nevertheless, an increasing number of data suggested that PM2.5 may affect every organ system in the human body, and the kidney is of no exception. The kidney is vulnerable to particulate matter because most environmental toxins are concentrated by the kidney during filtration. According to the high morbidity and mortality related to chronic kidney disease, it is necessary to determine the effect of PM2.5 on kidney disease and its mechanism that needs to be identified. To understand the current status of PM2.5 in the atmosphere and their potential harmful kidney effects in different regions of the world this review article was prepared based on peer-reviewed scientific papers, scientific reports, and database from government organizations published after the year 1998. In this review, we focus on the worldwide epidemiological evidence linking PM2.5 with chronic kidney disease and the effect of PM2.5 on the chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression. At the same time, we also discuss the possible mechanisms of PM2.5 exposure leading to kidney damage, in order to emphasize the contribution of PM2.5 to kidney damage. A global database on PM2.5 and kidney disease should be developed to provide new ideas for the prevention and treatment of kidney disease.
Chapter 4: Russia’s Food Security and Impact on Agri-Food Trade
Authors: Götz Linde , Heigermoser Maximilian , Jaghdani Tinoush Jamali
Published: November 2021

Russia’s food policy has been defined by the quest for food security for more than a decade, which in the Russian context includes import protectionism, self-sufficiency, and import substitution, marked by the adoption of Food Security Doctrines in 2010 and 2020. This chapter first investigates the impact of food security policy on domestic production. Food security policy has combined with an increase in state support for domestic production, leading to notable increases in output and self-sufficiency for selected commodities. The chapter also examines the impact of food security on agri-food exports, which have become a priority since 2018. Although Russia has become a leading exporter of wheat, the influence of food security is seen by the introduction of export quotas on grain starting in 2020. Despite protectionism, Russia has not withdrawn from the international food market but rather is an active and significant player as both food importer and exporter.
Room to Choose Good Work
Authors: Kremer Monique , Went Robert , Engbersen Godfried
Published: November 2021

Economic globalization and technological development are often presented as inevitable trends to which people and nations can only adapt. By this reasoning, national governments no longer have the room to make choices and companies cannot provide good jobs due to the pressures of international competition. But is this really true? Is it realistic to pursue good work for everyone who can and wants to work? This chapter first addresses globalization and technological developments before turning to the choices open to companies and the government.
A factorisation-aware Matrix element emulator
Authors: Maître D. , Truong H.
Published: November 2021

Abstract

In this article we present a neural network based model to emulate matrix elements. This model improves on existing methods by taking advantage of the known factorisation properties of matrix elements. In doing so we can control the behaviour of simulated matrix elements when extrapolating into more singular regions than the ones used for training the neural network. We apply our model to the case of leading-order jet production in e+e− collisions with up to five jets. Our results show that this model can reproduce the matrix elements with errors below the one-percent level on the phase-space covered during fitting and testing, and a robust extrapolation to the parts of the phase-space where the matrix elements are more singular than seen at the fitting stage.
Safety and Efficacy of Tranexamic Acid to Minimise Perioperative Bleeding in Hepatic Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Koh Amanda , Adiamah Alfred , Gomez Dhanwant , Sanyal Sudip
Published: November 2021

Introduction

Perioperative bleeding poses a major risk during liver surgery, which can result in increased transfusion requirements, morbidity, and mortality. Tranexamic acid (TXA) effectively reduces perioperative bleeding and transfusion requirements in trauma patients. However, there remains a lack of evidence of its use in liver surgery. This meta‐analysis of randomised controlled trials evaluated the efficacy and safety of TXA in liver resection and transplantation.

Method

A comprehensive search of Medline, Embase, CENTRAL and Clinicaltrials.gov databases was undertaken to identify studies from January 1947 to September 2021. The outcomes of the need for blood transfusion, thromboembolic events and mortality were extracted from the included studies. Quantitative pooling of data was based on the random effects model.

Results

Six studies reporting on 429 patients were included. TXA reduced the need for perioperative blood transfusion in liver resection and transplantation (OR 0.09; 95% CI 0.01 to 0.72). More importantly, TXA did not increase the incidence of thromboembolic events (OR 2.22; 95% CI 0.47 to 10.43) and mortality (OR 0.60; 95% CI 0.13 to 2.76).

Conclusion

TXA safely reduces the need for blood transfusion in patients undergoing liver resection and transplantation.
Isoperimetric inequalities and geometry of level curves of harmonic functions on smooth and singular surfaces
Authors: Adamowicz Tomasz , Veronelli Giona
Published: November 2021

We investigate the logarithmic convexity of the length of the level curves for harmonic functions on surfaces and related isoperimetric type inequalities. The results deal with smooth surfaces, as well as with singular Alexandrov surfaces (also called surfaces with bounded integral curvature), a class which includes for instance surfaces with conical singularities and surfaces of CAT(0) type. Moreover, we study the geodesic curvature of the level curves and of the steepest descent for harmonic functions on surfaces with non-necessarily constant Gaussian curvature K. Such geodesic curvature functions turn out to satisfy certain Laplace-type equations and inequalities, from which we infer various maximum and minimum principles. The results are complemented by a number of growth estimates for the derivatives $$L'$$

L
′

and $$L''$$

L

′
′

of the length of the level curve function L, as well as by examples illustrating the presentation. Our work generalizes some results due to Alessandrini, Longinetti, Talenti, Ma–Zhang and Wang–Wang.
Association between dysglycemia and mortality by diabetes status and risk factors of dysglycemia in critically ill patients: a retrospective study
Authors: Ma Haoming , Yu Guo , Wang Ziwen , Zhou Peiru , Lv Weitao
Published: November 2021

Aims

Dysglycemia, including the three domains hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, and increased glycemic variability (GV), is associated with high mortality among critically ill patients. However, this association differs by diabetes status, and reports in this regard are limited. This study aimed to evaluate the associations between the three dysglycemia domains and mortality in critically ill patients by diabetes status and determined the contributing factors for dysglycemia.

Methods

This retrospective study included 958 critically ill patients (admitted to the ICU) with or without DM. Dysglycemia was defined as abnormality of any of the three dimensions. We evaluated the effects of the three domains of glucose control on mortality using binary logistic regression and then adjusted for confounders. The associations between dysglycemia and other variables were investigated using cumulative logistic regression analysis.

Result

GV independently and similarly affected mortality in both groups after adjustment for confounders (DM: odds ratio [OR], 1.05; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03-1.08; p <0.001; non-DM: OR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.03-1.11; p = 0.002). Hypoglycemia was strongly associated with ICU mortality among patients without DM (3.12; 1.76-5.53; p <0.001) and less so among those with DM (1.18; 0.49-2.83; p = 0.72). Hyperglycemia was non-significantly associated with mortality in both groups. However, the effects of dysglycemia seemed cumulative. The factors contributing to dysglycemia included disease severity, insulin treatment, glucocorticoid use, serum albumin level, total parenteral nutrition, duration of diabetes, elevated procalcitonin level, and need for mechanical ventilation and renal replacement therapy.

Conclusion

The association between the three dimensions of dysglycemia and mortality varied by diabetes status. Dysglycemia in critical patients is associated with excess mortality; however, glucose management in patients should be specific to the patient’s need considering the diabetes status and broader dimensions. The identified factors for dysglycemia could be used for risk assessment in glucose management requirement in critically ill patients, which may improve clinical outcomes.
Discrete element modeling of planetary ice analogs: mechanical behavior upon sintering
Authors: Dhaouadi W. , Marteau E. , Kolvenbach H. , Choukroun M. , Molaro J. L. , Hodyss R. , Schulson E. M.
Published: November 2021

Potentially habitable icy Ocean Worlds, such as Enceladus and Europa, are scientifically compelling worlds in the solar system and high-priority exploration targets. Future robotic exploration of Enceladus and Europa by in-situ missions would require a detailed understanding of the surface material and of the complex lander-surface interactions during locomotion or sampling. To date, numerical modeling approaches that provide insights into the icy terrain’s mechanical behavior have been lacking. In this work, we present a Discrete Element Model of porous planetary ice analogs that explicitly describes the microstructure and its evolution upon sintering. The model dimension is tuned following a Pareto-optimality analysis, the model parameters’ influence on the sample strength is investigated using a sensitivity analysis, and the model parameters are calibrated to experiments using a probabilistic method. The results indicate that the friction coefficient and the cohesion energy density at the particle-scale govern the macroscopic properties of the porous ice. Our model reveals a good correspondence between the macroscopic and bond strength evolutions, suggesting that the strengthening of porous ice results from the development of a large-scale network due to inter-particle bonding. This work sheds light on the multi-scale nature of the mechanics of planetary ice analogs and points to the importance of understanding surface strength evolution upon sintering to design robust robotic systems.

Graphic abstract
Microstructural differences between naturally-deposited and laboratory beach sands
Authors: Ferrick Amy , Wright Vanshan , Manga Michael , Sitar Nicholas
Published: November 2021

The orientation of, and contacts between, grains of sand reflect the processes that deposit the sands. Grain orientation and contact geometry also influence mechanical properties. Quantifying and understanding sand microstructure thus provide an opportunity to understand depositional processes better and connect microstructure and macroscopic properties. Using x-ray computed microtomography, we compare the microstructure of naturally-deposited beach sands and laboratory sands created by air pluviation in which samples are formed by raining sand grains into a container. We find that naturally-deposited sands have a narrower distribution of coordination number (i.e., the number of grains in contact) and a broader distribution of grain orientations than pluviated sands. The naturally-deposited sand grains orient inclined to the horizontal, and the pluviated sand grains orient horizontally. We explain the microstructural differences between the two different depositional methods by flowing water at beaches that re-positions and reorients grains initially deposited in unstable grain configurations.
Is reflection like soap? a critical narrative umbrella review of approaches to reflection in medical education research
Authors: Schaepkens Sven P. C. , Veen M. , de la Croix A.
Published: November 2021

Reflection is a complex concept in medical education research. No consensus exists on what reflection exactly entails; thus far, cross-comparing empirical findings has not resulted in definite evidence on how to foster reflection. The concept is as slippery as soap. This leaves the research field with the question, ‘how can research approach the conceptual indeterminacy of reflection to produce knowledge?’. The authors conducted a critical narrative umbrella review of research on reflection in medical education. Forty-seven review studies on reflection research from 2000 onwards were reviewed. The authors used the foundational literature on reflection from Dewey and Schön as an analytical lens to identify and critically juxtapose common approaches in reflection research that tackle the conceptual complexity. Research on reflection must deal with the paradox that every conceptualization of reflection is either too sharp or too broad because it is entrenched in practice. The key to conceptualizing reflection lies in its use and purpose, which can be provided by in situ research of reflective practices.
Mechanisms and Effectiveness of Imagery Strategies in Reducing Disgust in Contamination-Related Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder: Comparing Imagery Rescripting, Imagery Self-compassion and Mood-Focused Imagery
Authors: Fink-Lamotte Jakob , Platter Pauline , Stierle Christian , Exner Cornelia
Published: November 2021

Background

Strong feelings of disgust and anxiety are maintaining factors in contamination-related obsessive–compulsive disorder (C-OCD). To this day there are not many studies that investigated strategies for changing pathological disgust. In a previous study, it was shown that imagery rescripting could successfully change disgust. However, whether imagery rescripting or more general imagery processing, helps to reduce pathological disgust, remains unclear. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate how successful imagery rescripting is in comparison to imagery self-compassion and a passive positive imagery condition in reducing disgust.

Methods

For this, the three strategies were compared to each other on 2 days (within-subject) in a laboratory experiment. The study included 24 subjects with diagnosed C-OCD, and 24 matched, healthy controls (between-subject).

Results

The results show that all three strategies changed disgust, they do not differ from each other and that different traits appear to influence the strategies’ success or failure. The theoretically derived underlying mechanisms of the strategies were found in an elaborate content analysis.

Conclusions

The present study provides first indications that imagery in general can help to change pathological disgust experience.