bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterizing Past Communities to Build Future Ones: Lessons from Caribbean Conservation Paleobiology
Authors: Kemp Melissa E.
Published: February 2023

The Caribbean is one of the most well-studied biodiversity hotspots, but the diversity of today’s Caribbean is only a fraction of what once existed there, as natural and anthropogenic processes have contributed to extinction and extirpation across multiple taxonomic groups. Given this long-term history of environmental perturbations and human impacts, paleobiology is well-suited to inform ongoing conservation needs in the Caribbean, which continues to be impacted by habitat degradation, species introductions, and other global change phenomena. I show how fossil, archaeological, and ecological data elucidate patterns of biodiversity loss and resilience, with direct implications for conservation management. While conservation paleobiology has significant potential in the Caribbean, it also faces major challenges in implementation, in part due to colonial histories and practices of parachute science. I summarize how this colonial legacy perpetuates knowledge and resource gaps, and outline ways in which we can move toward an equitable conservation paleobiology. One path forward is through education and partnership with local communities. I highlight my program, NEET Young Innovators, a partnership between the University of Texas at Austin, the Negril Education Environment Trust, the University of the West Indies Mona, and the Jamaican Ministry of Education and Youth. The NEET Young Innovators program develops place-based, experiential curriculum and STEM camps for Jamaican students and teachers. Capitalizing on paleobiology’s status as a “gateway science,” we created and implemented a suite of conservation paleobiology lesson plans in a STEM camp designed to cultivate environmental stewardship and broaden awareness of Caribbean natural history and biodiversity among Jamaican youths. Through integrative research, reflection, and inclusive partnership, paleobiology can guide the conservation, management, and restoration of biodiversity in this critical ecosystem.
Life Histories Vary with Primary Productivity in the Northern Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Gómez Juan J. , Unnone Victor K. , Harnik Paul G.
Published: February 2023

Human activities have increased nutrient delivery to aquatic ecosystems around the world, spurring primary productivity, and leading to the establishment and expansion of oxygen-limited “dead zones.” How will marine animals respond to these changing conditions? To address that question, we take a space-for-time approach and compare the traits of different marine invertebrates along a primary productivity gradient in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Previous studies have found that life history traits can be sensitive to prevailing environmental conditions. Using Holocene death assemblages collected from -20 meters offshore Alabama and Florida, we test the hypothesis that bivalve egg size, and bryozoan reproductive mode, vary with primary productivity. Based on previous studies, we expect populations in areas with an abundance of food to exhibit the following characteristics: 1) cupuladriid bryozoans will exhibit greater frequencies of clonal to aclonal reproduction; and 2) bivalves will produce smaller eggs due to greater juvenile survivorship and fecundity selection. We found that Discoporella depressa colonies show low frequencies of clonal reproduction overall, but that percent clonality was greater in coastal Alabama than Florida. Cupuladria colonies showed higher proportions of clonal reproduction, whereas Reussirella doma colonies exhibited exclusively aclonal reproduction. Egg size is positively correlated with the earliest stage of larval shell growth (PI size) in marine bivalves. Nucula proxima larval shell size varied inversely with primary productivity; larval shells were larger in Florida than Alabama. Preliminary live-dead results in both regions show limited evidence of change over time, in contrast with previous analyses of other bivalve species in the region. These space-for-time case studies highlight ways in which benthic marine invertebrates may respond to future anthropogenic driven changes in primary production in the coastal ocean.
Shed Female Antlers as a Mineral Resource for Caribou on Spring Calving Grounds
Authors: Gaetano Madison , Miller Joshua H. , Wald Eric J. , Druckenmiller Patrick
Published: February 2023

Caribou (Rangifer tarandus) is the only extant deer species in which females produce antlers, but what are the roles and biological benefits of this feature? Female antler shedding is roughly synchronous with calving and, within populations, occurs at approximately the same time and place every year. Interestingly, spring and summer forage on caribou ranges can be insufficient in key minerals (calcium and phosphorus) that support nursing, and strategies for offsetting these deficits are poorly understood. We test the hypothesis that female caribou antlers, rich in calcium and phosphorus, provide mineral supplements for nursing females. Using antler and bone materials collected from the Coastal Plain calving grounds of the Porcupine Caribou Herd (Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska), we assessed the consumption of bone-derived nutrients by ungulates (Rangifer), carnivorans (Ursus, Canis, Vulpes), and rodents (Urocitellus, Microtus). Taphonomic surveys yielded over 1,300 antlers and hundreds of skeletal bones. We visually inspected each element for modifications and compared observed features to those generated by candidate modifiers. We identified 20 modification classes within the collection and attributed 10 to caribou. We found caribou gnawing on ~90% of shed antlers, but <10% of skeletal material, indicating a clear focus on antler resources. Co-occurring mammals rarely targeted antlers, with rodents gnawing 30%). On the calving grounds, caribou monopolize antler nutrients, likely driven by nursing females. Antlers can form dense accumulations on caribou calving grounds (>1,000 antlers/km2) and persist for centuries or longer, potentially serving as an important mineral-rich attractor. The annual return to calving grounds, during which females consume available antler resources and contribute new ones, may function as an unrecognized feedback mechanism for maintaining calving ground fidelity.
Bridging the Divide from Paleoecology to Neoecology
Authors: Bush Mark B.
Published: February 2023

As paleoecologists we often claim that our science is relevant to conservation, but relatively few management plans are steered by paleoecological insights. One of our common justifications that paleoecology should feature in conservation is to determine what is ‘natural’. Intergenerational perceptions of naturalness are shaped by our experiences of ecosystems continuously and progressively influenced by human-induced stresses - the concept of shifting baselines. Those stresses have been present since the last ice-age in the tropical Andes, when fire regimes and megafaunal extinctions pre-dated the onset of the Holocene. Whereas human-induced ecological change is only evident for 200 years on the Galapagos Islands. But both instances are consistent that they show that low numbers of people, probably not even living in permanent settlements wrought lasting ecological changes and extinctions. Cascading effects of tortoise loss were seen on Galapagos vegetation that directly or indirectly led to extinctions among endemic plants. Making paleoecology relevant to conservation requires finding levels of taxonomic and temporal resolution that are relevant to land managers and providing concrete recommendations for restoration.
The impact of cases and death reports of COVID-19 on prices and returns
Authors: Saputra Jeffrey Steanly , Manuho Jessica Jeniver , Maunde Riska , Thomas Renitha Aprilia Gracia
Published: February 2023

Both the technology sector and the health sector are important issues for investors during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021. This study aims to examine the impact of cases and death reports on the prices and stock returns especially for firms in the technology and health sectors. On this purpose, the sample is taken for the period January 4 2021 to December 30, 2021. The results of correlation and mean difference tests show that cases and death reports of COVID-19 are not the main cause in influencing stock prices and stock returns of both sectors. The findings suspect that management performance or prospects of the two sectors will trigger synergy in creating a unidirectional relationship between stock prices and stock returns.
Comparison and relationship of returns: Case of technology and healthcare sectors
Authors: Ginting Berlianta , Gamani Eirene Flandrina , Hursan Fadisti Prameswari , Rarung Gabriela Ester Olivia
Published: February 2023

The Covid-19 pandemic can have both positive and negative impacts. The technology sector and the health sector are sectors that have experienced significant increases since the pandemic. The objective of this study is to examine the comparison and relationship between firms engaged in the technology sector and the health sector in Indonesia. The results of the analysis over the period 17 June 2021 to 3 June 2022 show that the returns of both sectors are not significantly different. Empirically, this study proves that stock returns of both sectors are not unidirectional and have an insignificant relationship.
Efficient market and the COVID-19 pandemic: Case of ASEAN-5
Authors: Pontoh Winston , Budiarso Novi Swandari
Published: February 2023

The issue of Covid-19 has a negative impact, especially on the capital markets of ASEAN-5 countries (Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines). This study aims to examine the movement of market returns in ASEAN-5 countries at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. The data used are daily market indices for the period 2020 to 2021. The findings show that market indices for all ASEAN-5 countries move unstable throughout 2020. In 2021, efficient market conditions under the assumption of a weak form only occur in Singapore where the trend of the index of the market becomes more predictable. Empirical evidence also shows that the interrelationship between market indices in ASEAN-5 countries is varied.
NanoPhytoformulations: what is so interesting about the nanoscale?
Authors: Das Sanjoy , Jamatia Taison
Published: February 2023

Nanotechnology is on the threshold of providing a host of new materials and approaches in revolutionizing the medical and pharmaceutical fields. The incorporation of nanotechnology in herbal formulation investigation has a huge number of benefits for phytomedicine such as enhancement of solubility and bioavailability, reinforcement of pharmacological activity, improvement of stability, protection from toxicity, sustained delivery, and safeguarding from physical or chemical degradation. This opinion paper briefly highlights the authors perspective on herbal nanotechnology through few key points.
Reduce by how much? Calibrating meat reduction appeals to maximize their effectiveness
Authors: Cameron Sophie , Wilks Matti , Jaeger Bastian
Published: February 2023

Meat-rich diets have a negative impact on animal welfare, consumer health, and the environment. In recent years, research has begun to explore which approaches are most effective at reducing consumption. A question that has been the subject of extensive debate is whether appeals are more effective when they ask people to reduce vs. eliminate meat from their diets. On the one hand, the negative externalities resulting from meat consumption are reduced more if a person fully abstains from eating meat. On the other, stronger requests likely lead to lower compliance rates. Thus, to identify which appeal leads to the overall greatest reduction in meat consumption, one has to balance, (a) how many individuals comply with the request and, (b) by how much individuals reduce their consumption if they comply. In two studies, with participants from the US, UK, Australia, and the Netherlands (N = 705), we explored participants’ reported meat consumption and willingness to comply with different week-long meat reduction appeals (10–100%) to identify which would lead to the greatest overall reduction in intended meat consumption. As expected, larger requests lead to lower reported willingness to comply. Mid-range requests (40–70%) were more effective than small requests (10%) or elimination requests (100%). Although we find some differences across countries, mid-range requests were most effective in each sample. Our findings provide first insights into how to calibrate appeals to achieve the greatest reduction in overall meat consumption.
Book Review of "Nuclear Weapons Free Zones: A Comparative Perspective"
Authors: Ali Iftikhar
Published: February 2023

In 1957, when Adam Rapacki put forth the Rapacki Plan, the first nuclear weapon–free zone (NWFZ) proposal, the world had no idea this proposal would form one of international relations’ most critical subjects. Since then, authors such as Michael Hamel-Green, Ingemar Lindahl, Oluyemi Adeniji, Tad Daley, and Sverre Lodgaard have made scholarly contributions to elucidate the emergence of NWFZs in different regions that cover over 100 countries. Prior to the end of the Cold War, Ramesh Thakur edited a book, Nuclear Weapons Free Zones, that discussed the four NWFZs established before the Central Asian NWFZ. Thakur also organized the different scholars’ assessments of the existing obstacles to establishing four other prospective NWFZs in Northeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and the Southern Hemisphere.
A GIS Procedure to Assess Shoreline Changes over Time Using Multi-temporal Maps: An Analysis of a Sandy Shoreline in Southern Italy over the Last 100 Years
Authors: Pepe Massimiliano , Costantino Domenica , Alfio Vincenzo Saverio
Published: February 2023

The aim of the paper is to identify a methodology capable of assessing shoreline changes through a geomatic approach based on the use of GIS (Geographic Information System) software. The paper describes a case study that reports the evolution of a coastline over a period of more than 100 years using medium and large-scale metric maps available in different periods. In fact, the coastlines were obtained from the source maps of the Italian Cadastre (dated 1890), from numerical cartography available on the coastline and acquired in different period at scales 1:5000 and 1:2000 and, more recently, from the Google Earth Pro platform. To analyse the evolution of the coastline a new procedure has been performed which is based on the use of GIS software, in particular a plugin called DSAS that allows the evaluation of the changes in the coastline and also obtains a statistical analysis of its evolution. The results showed the ease and applicability of the method in determining the evolution of the coastline and the strong erosion of a stretch of coastline with important socio-economic consequences and repercussions was highlighted in the analysed case study.
Identification of Groundwater Potential Zones (GWPZ) Using Geospatial Techniques and AHP Method: a Case Study of the Boudinar Basin, Rif Belt (Morocco)
Authors: Taher Morad , Mourabit Taoufik , Etebaai Issam , Cherkaoui Dekkaki Hinde , Amarjouf Najat , Amine Afaf , Abdelhak Bourjila , Errahmouni Ali , Azzouzi Sadik
Published: February 2023

The present study aims to delineate the groundwater potential zones (GWPZ) in the Boudinar Basin using geospatial techniques and through an analytical hierarchal process (AHP) method. For multi criteria decision analysis, fifteen thematic layers were integrated into a geographic information system (GIS) environment. In this analysis, each thematic layer is calculated for normalized weights. Furthermore, the consistency index and consistency ratio were calculated to ensure that the result was significant and reliable. The GWPZ map has been categorized into three classes: poor (50.82%), moderate (49.06%), and good (<1.00%). To compare the result, we used four other scenarios of the GWPZ. Two of them are the most similar to our result. Finally, predictive groundwater production and management strategies that ensure long-term sustainability are highly needed.
Topological states and quantum effects in magnonics
Authors: Wang Zhen-Yu , Li Zhi-Xiong , Yuan Huai-Yang , Zhang Zhi-Zhi , Cao Yun-Shan , Yan Peng ,   State Key Laboratory of Electronic Thin Films and Integrated Devices, School of Physics, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China,   Institute for Theoretical Physics, Utrecht University, Utrecht 3584CC, The Netherlands
Published: February 2023

In recent years, with the rapid development of the emerging technologies including the internet of things, cloud computing, big data, and artificial intelligence, higher computing capability is required. Traditional semiconductor devices are confronting huge challenges brought by device miniaturization, energy consumption, heat dissipation, etc. Moore’s law which succeeds in guiding downscaling and upgrading of microelectronics is nearing its end. A new information carrier, instead of electrons, is required urgently for information transmission and processing. Spin waves are collectively excited waves in ordered magnets, and the quantized quasi particle is referred to as magnon. The propagation of magnons does not involve electron motion and produces no Joule heating, which can solve the increasing significant issues of heating dissipation in electronic devices. Thus, magnon-based devices have important application prospects in low-power information storage and computing. In this review, we first introduce the recent advances in the excitation, propagation, manipulation, detection of spin waves and magnon-based devices. Then, we mainly discuss the researches of our group. This part is described from four aspects: 1) Chiral magnonics, including the chiral propagarion of magnetostatic spin waves, Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction(DMI)-induced nonreciprocity of spin waves, spin-wave propagation at chiral interface, magnonic Goos-Hänchen effect, spin-wave lens, and magnonic Stern-Gerlach effect; 2) nonlinear magnonics, including three-magnon processes induced by DMI and noncollinear magnetic textures, skyrmion-induced magnonic frequency comb, twisted magnon frequency comb, and Penrose superradiance; 3) topological magnonics, including magnon Hall effect, magnonic topological insulator, magnonic topological semimetal, topological edge states and high-order corner states of magnetic solitons arranged in different crystal lattices; 4) quantum magnonics, including quantum states of magnon, magnon-based hybrid quantum systems, and cavity magnonics. Finally, the future development and prospect of magnonics are analyzed and discussed.
Application of Response Surface Methodology (RSM) for Optimizing Turbidity of Paper Recycling Wastewater Using Microwave Technology
Authors: Ozkan Ugur , Bayram Okan , Göde Fethiye , Coskun Sezen , Sahin H. Turgut
Published: February 2023

Aims: The aim of the study was to use Response Surface Methodology (RSM) to find optimal experimental design for wastewater treatments from office paper recycling.  In this way, interactive effects of treatment factors were evaluated, including microwave power (MW) and durations with centrifuge time while turbidity of wastewater was chosen as the dependent output variable or an optimal response.

Methodology: The RSM approach was utilized for optimization of the process parameters and identifying the optimal conditions for the removal of turbidity in paper recycling wastewater. In this regard, a three-factor RSM were selected, using MW irradiation power (Watts), durations (seconds) and centrifuge time (min). Statistical analysis of variance (ANOVA) was carried out to identify the adequacy of the developed model.  In this case, specially prepared office papers (one-side laser printed) were subjected to standard paper recycling procedure for obtaining wastewater at laboratory conditions. The experimentally derived RSM model was validated using range of statistical parameters.

Conclusions:  The study revealed that under the RSM optimized conditions, a marked                reduction in the turbidity of wastewater was observed for both groups studied. The R2, R2(adj) and R2(pred) values were indicates, the developed model was significant which revealed a well agreement between the experimental data and proposed model. In this approach, the R2=99.710% and lack-of-fit value were found to be 0.111 (p>0.05), which shows the model and the data consisted to each other.  The lowest turbidity value was found with 150.000 Watts and 60.000 seconds in MW conditions with 15.000 minutes of centrifugation time, experimentally. With employing                        these variables, the turbidity value of 6.65 NTU was determined. However, the highest turbidity value of 18.013 NTU was found with MW power of 200.00 Watts with 40.000 seconds of durations and 1.591 minute of centrifugation time.  It is important to note that with using optimized parameters, the turbidity value of 1.43 NTU was calculated while 1.47 NTU was found with experimentally.
Stool-Based Screening Tests for Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Carethers John M.
Published: February 2023

A 56-year-old man with no significant medical history has declined screening colonoscopy at previous physician visits but wants to undergo a less invasive test because his father died of colorectal cancer at age 80. What would you do next?
Comparison of the Pathway to Hospice Enrollment Between Medicare Advantage and Traditional Medicare
Authors: Ankuda Claire K. , Belanger Emmanuelle , Bunker Jennifer , Gozalo Pedro , Keohane Laura , Meyers David , Trivedi Amal , Teno Joan M.
Published: February 2023

Importance

Older adults in Medicare Advantage (MA) enroll in hospice at higher rates than those in traditional Medicare (TM), but it is unclear whether the pathway of care prior to hospice use differs between MA and TM.

Objective

To examine the site of care prior to hospice enrollment for MA beneficiaries compared with those in TM.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This population-based, retrospective cross-sectional study used Medicare claims data for decedents in calendar years 2011, 2013, 2016, and 2018 who enrolled in hospice in the last 90 days of life. Data were analyzed from February 11, 2022, to October 24, 2022.

Exposures

Enrollment in MA or TM in the last month of life.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The main outcome was the site of care prior to hospice enrollment, defined as hospital, nursing home, and home with or without home health, dichotomized as community vs hospital in a logistic regression model. Covariates included decedent demographics, hospice primary diagnosis, and county-level MA penetration. Differences in hospice length of stay between MA beneficiaries and TM beneficiaries were assessed using linear and logistic regression models.

Results

In this study of 3 164 959 decedents, mean (SD) age was 83.1 (8.6) years, 55.8% were female, and 28.8% were enrolled in MA. Decedents in MA were more likely to enroll in hospice from a community setting than were those in TM, although the gap narrowed over time from an unadjusted 11.1% higher rate of community enrollment in MA vs TM in 2011 (50.1% vs 39.0%) to 8.1% in 2018 (46.4% vs 38.3%). In the primary adjusted analysis over the entire study period, MA enrollment was associated with an 8.09–percentage point (95% CI, 7.96-8.21 percentage points) higher rate of hospice enrollment from the community vs all other sites. This association remained in multiple sensitivity analyses to account for potential differences in the populations enrolled in MA vs TM. The mean overall hospice length of stay was 0.29 days (95% CI, 0.24-0.34 days) longer for MA decedents compared with TM decedents.

Conclusions and Relevance

Compared with TM beneficiaries, those in MA were more likely to enroll in hospice from community settings vs following inpatient stays. However, hospice length of stay was not substantially different between MA and TM. Further research is needed to understand how MA plans influence hospice use and the direct association with quality of end-of-life care as reported by older adults and their families.
Mothers’ Experience With Health Insurance Coverage When Youngest Child Reaches 18 Years of Age
Authors: Napierala Eric , Patterson Sashoy , Laboy Ana , Weiss Mark , Smith Jessica
Published: February 2023

This cross-sectional study uses data from the American Community Survey to track maternal insurance coverage status as children age from infancy to adulthood.
Overexpression of the pro‐protein convertase furin predicts prognosis and promotes papillary thyroid carcinoma progression and metastasis through RAF/MEK signaling
Authors: Poyil Pratheesh Kumar , Siraj Abdul K. , Padmaja Divya , Parvathareddy Sandeep Kumar , Diaz Roxanne , Thangavel Saravanan , Begum Rafia , Haqawi Wael , Al‐Mohanna Falah Hassan , Al‐Sobhi Saif S. , Al‐Dayel Fouad , Al‐Kuraya Khawla S.
Published: February 2023

Furin belongs to the pro‐protein convertases (PCs) family and its aberrant expression has been documented in various types of cancers; however, its role in thyroid cancer remains unclear. We investigated the expression of furin in a large cohort of Middle Eastern papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) patient samples and explored its functional role and mechanism in PTC cell lines in vitro and in vivo. Furin overexpression was observed in 44.6% of all PTC cases and was significantly associated with aggressive clinicopathological parameters and poor outcomes. We show that the knockdown of FURIN suppresses tumor growth, proliferation, migration, invasion, spheroid growth, and progression of epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) in B‐Raf proto‐oncogene, serine/threonine kinase (BRAF) mutant cells, whereas its overexpression in BRAF wild‐type PTC cell lines reversed the effect. FURIN knockdown in the BRAF mutant cell line led to reduced tumor growth and increased apoptosis. Mechanistically, FURIN knockdown led to MEK/ERK pathway suppression in BRAF mutant cells, although inhibition of MEK did not affect furin expression, which suggests that furin acts through the MEK/ERK pathway. Furthermore, our study revealed the synergistic antitumor effect of furin depletion and anti‐MEK inhibitor treatment. Overall, these results indicate that furin is an important prognostic marker in Middle Eastern PTC and that it plays a crucial role in BRAF‐associated MAP/ERK pathway activation and tumorigenesis. Furin inhibition could be a potential therapeutic target for aggressive PTC.
Adrenomedullin alleviates mucosal injury in experimental colitis and increases claudin‐4 expression in the colonic epithelium
Authors: Kawaguchi Makiko , Kataoka Hiroaki , Kiwaki Takumi , Weiting Liang , Nagata Sayaka , Kitamura Kazuo , Fukushima Tsuyoshi
Published: February 2023

Adrenomedullin (AM) is a peptide with pleiotropic physiological functions that attenuates intestinal mucosal inflammation. However, the mechanism underpinning mucosal protection by AM is not fully understood, and its effect on intestinal epithelial cells remains unclear. Here, we investigated the effects of AM on junctional molecules in primary‐cultured murine intestinal epithelial cells and discovered that AM upregulates claudin‐4 expression. In a mouse model of dextran sulfate sodium‐induced colitis, AM administration also enhanced claudin‐4 expression and accelerated mucosal regeneration. Furthermore, AM reversed TNFα‐mediated downregulation of claudin‐4 and loss of cell–cell adhesion of the HCT116 human intestinal epithelial cell line in vitro. These results indicate that AM may enhance intestinal epithelial integrity by upregulating claudin‐4 expression.
C9orf72 expansions are the most common cause of genetic frontotemporal dementia in a Southeast Asian cohort
Authors: Tan Yi Jayne , Yong Alisa C. W. , Foo Jia Nee , Lian Michelle M. , Lim Weng Khong , Dominguez Jacqueline , Fong Zhi Hui , Narasimhalu Kaavya , Chiew Hui Jin , Ng Kok Pin , Ting Simon K. S. , Kandiah Nagaendran , Ng Adeline S. L.
Published: February 2023

Objective

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) encompasses a spectrum of neurodegenerative disorders, including behavioural variant FTD (bvFTD), semantic variant primary progressive aphasia (svPPA) and non‐fluent variant PPA (nfvPPA). While a strong genetic component is implicated in FTD, genetic FTD in Asia is less frequently reported. We aimed to investigate the frequency of Southeast Asian FTD patients harbouring known genetic FTD variants.

Methods

A total of 60 FTD‐spectrum patients (25 familial and 35 sporadic) from Singapore and the Philippines were included. All underwent next‐generation sequencing and repeat‐primed PCR for C9orf72 expansion testing. Neurofilament light chain (NfL) levels were measured in a subset of patients.

Results

Overall, 26.6% (16/60 cases) carried pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in a FTD‐related gene, including: MAPT Gln351Arg (n = 1); GRN Cys92Ter (n = 1), Ser301Ter (n = 2), c.462 + 1G > C (n = 1); C9orf72 expansion (35–70 repeats; n = 8); TREM2 Arg47Cys (n = 1); and OPTN frameshift insertion (n = 2). Genetic mutations accounted for 48% (12/25) of patients with familial FTD, and 11.4% (4/35) of patients with sporadic FTD. C9orf72 repeat expansions were the most common genetic mutation (13.3%, 8/60), followed by GRN (6.7%, 4/60) variants. Within mutation carriers, plasma NfL was highest in a C9orf72 expansion carrier, and CSF NfL was highest in a GRN splice variant carrier.

Interpretation

In our cohort, genetic mutations are present in one‐quarter of FTD‐spectrum cases, and up to half of those with family history. Our findings highlight the importance of wider implementation of genetic testing in FTD patients from Southeast Asia.
Metal–Matrix Composites from High‐Pressure Torsion with Functionalized Material Behavior
Authors: Lemkova Valeria , Todt Juraj , Motz Christian , Schaefer Florian
Published: February 2023

In composites, outstanding properties of two materials can be combined. In particular, metal–matrix composites (MMCs) can combine the properties of a high‐strength ductile metallic matrix with special properties of embedded ceramic particles. This hybrid can be used to create a functional material. However, during consolidation, the thermal load of most common MMC‐processing routes is an obstacle for such functionalization, because the unique properties of the ceramic phases most likely degrade. Mechanical alloying, in this case, by high‐pressure torsion (HPT), can overcome this challenge. Herein, the attempt to obtain smart materials through HPT processing is aimed. For that purpose, Cu‐MMCs are produced from mixed powders with and (BTO) with the challenge to incorporate their functional phase. BTO can provide a sensing ability for internal stress and can provide a fatigue lifetime by a retarded crack growth. The amount of the stabilized phase is evaluated by X‐ray diffraction. Cu–BTO–MMCs exhibit a local piezoelectric effect when strained, shown by in situ scanning Kelvin probe force microscopy. Cu––MMCs feature a retarded fatigue crack initiation and an earlier crack closure during fatigue crack growth due to the volume expansion once transforms.
Vertically‐Stacked Discrete Plasmonic Meta‐Gratings for Broadband Space‐Variant Metasurfaces
Authors: Hassanfiroozi Amir , Yang Zih‐Syuan , Huang Shih‐Hsiu , Cheng Wen‐Hui , Shi Yuzhi , Wu Pin Chieh
Published: February 2023

Reexamining the plasmonic metasurfaces for efficient transmissive nanophotonics devices has recently drawn considerable attention. It attributes to their ease of fabrication and tunability in terms of the excitation of abundant multipoles. Despite recent efforts in developing plasmonic meta‐atoms, meta‐gratings provide an ultimate solution that enables efficient conversion of the polarization in a broadband range, particularly at optical frequencies. In this work, by vertically stacking meta‐gratings whose bandwidths overlap with each other and possess no physical limitation, plasmon mode hybridization is introduced so that highly‐transmissive broadband plasmonic metasurfaces are realized. It is reported that the intra‐coupling in a discrete plasmonic meta‐grating plays a key role in geometric phase‐controlled metasurface design. As a proof of concept, a half‐wave plate using plasmonic meta‐gratings to convert the incident circularly‐polarized light in a wavelength range from 1106 to 1521 nm with a peak efficiency of 50.2% and a gradient metasurface with truncated discrete meta‐grating as building blocks for deflecting the light with a maximum of 32.60% are demonstrated. Finally, the physical picture is explained through the electric field distributions, mode coupling, and energy splitting. The presented framework may provide an optimized way to enhance efficiency and expand the bandwidth for plasmonic systems.
Gold‐Catalyzed One‐Pot Cycloisomerization/Nucleophilic Addition/Rearrangement of Acenaphthylene Carbaldehyde Derivatives
Authors: Truchon Alexis , Dupeux Aurélien , Olivero Sandra , Michelet Véronique
Published: February 2023

Merging the latest advances in the field of gold catalysis and the efficiency of hexafluoro‐2‐propanol (HFIP), a gold‐catalyzed orthogonal tandem reaction has been developed to access carbocyclic ketone on naphthalene substrates. The methodology involved a cycloisomerization/nucleophilic addition and a C→O rearrangement. The HFIP solvent most probably acted as a Lewis‐acid on isochromene derivatives, through hydrogen donor bond activity. A large range of acenaphthylene carbaldehyde has been engaged in this process coupling gold catalysis and Lewis‐acid behavior of HFIP leading to cyclic ketones with a yield ranging from 15 to 91% (27 compounds). The mechanism was investigated, and the reaction most presumably occurred via a classical cyclization process followed by a [Au]‐HFIP interaction for the final rearrangement. The interest of such transformation was demonstrated by performing it on a gram‐scale. Moreover, a post‐functionalization bromination was performed, as well as the isomerization of some functionalized ketones leading to full trans derivatives with a yield ranging from 78 to 90% yields.
Orbital resection by intranasal technique (ORBIT): A new classification system for reporting endoscopically resectable primary benign orbital tumors
Authors: Jafari Aria , Adappa Nithin D. , Anagnos Vincent J. , Campbell Raewyn G. , Castelnuovo Paolo , Chalian Ara , Chambers Christopher B. , Chitguppi Chandala , Dallan Iacopo , El Rassi Edward , Freitag Suzanne K. , Fernandez Miranda Juan C. , Ferreira Manuel , Gardner Paul A. , Gudis David A. , Harvey Richard J. , Huang Qian , Humphreys Ian M. , Kennedy David W. , Lee John Y. K. , Lehmann Ashton E. , Locatelli Davide , McKinney Kibwei A. , Moreau Annie , Nyquist Gurston , Palmer James N. , Prepageran Narayanan , Pribitkin Edmund A. , Rabinowitz Mindy R. , Rosen Marc R. , Sacks Raymond , Sharma Dhruv , Snyderman Carl H. , Tonya Stefko S. , Stokken Janalee K. , Wang Eric W. , Workman Alan D. , Wu Arthur W. , Yu Jen Y. , Zhang Matthew M. , Zhou Bing , Bleier Benjamin S.
Published: February 2023

Background

The Cavernous Hemangioma Exclusively Endonasal Resection (CHEER) staging system has become the gold standard for outcomes reporting in endoscopic orbital surgery for orbital cavernous hemangiomas (OCHs). A recent systematic review demonstrated similar outcomes between OCHs and other primary benign orbital tumors (PBOTs). Therefore, we hypothesized that a simplified and more comprehensive classification system could be developed to predict surgical outcomes of other PBOTs.

Methods

Patient and tumor characteristics as well as surgical outcomes from 11 international centers were recorded. All tumors were retrospectively assigned an Orbital Resection by Intranasal Technique (ORBIT) class and stratified based on surgical approach as either exclusively endoscopic or combined (endoscopic and open). Outcomes based on approach were compared using chi‐squared or Fisher's exact tests. The Cochrane‐Armitage test for trend was used to analyze outcomes by class.

Results

Findings from 110 PBOTs from 110 patients (age 49.0 ± 15.0 years, 51.9% female) were included in the analysis. Higher ORBIT class was associated with a lower likelihood of gross total resection (GTR). GTR was more likely to be achieved when an exclusively endoscopic approach was utilized (p < 0.05). Tumors resected using a combined approach tended to be larger, to present with diplopia, and to have an immediate postoperative cranial nerve palsy (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Endoscopic treatment of PBOTs is an effective approach, with favorable short‐term and long‐term postoperative outcomes as well as low rate of adverse events. The ORBIT classification system is an anatomic‐based framework that effectively facilitates high‐quality outcomes reporting for all PBOTs.
Molecular Alignment‐Induced Chemically Patchy Uniaxial Nanoparticles and Their Applications in Anti‐Counterfeiting and Self‐Assembled Superstructures
Authors: Wang Xiao , Liu Bing
Published: February 2023

We report an unusual strategy for synthesizing patchy nanoparticles (NPs) by controlling the orientation of the molecules that form the NPs. This is realized by synchronous polymerization and crystallization of liquid crystal (LC) monomers during scalable precipitation polymerization. The resulting NPs are cylinders with highly uniform shapes and have only a single LC domain. The patchy properties originate from the discrepancy of surface chemical compositions on flat and side surfaces and can be switched on and off by solvent. Extra colloidal blocks can be grown onto the patches, resulting in highly uniform triblock patchy dumbbells, which have integrated optical properties, and as demonstrated, show triple‐mode optical authentication in anti‐counterfeiting labels or patterns. We also demonstrate that the triblock patchy cylinders are attractive building blocks for long LC rods or porous colloidal materials through polymerization‐induced self‐assembly.
A Diode‐Like Dye‐Cu Anisotropic Junction in a Coordination Polymer as a Logic State Ratchet for Intratumor Redox Photomodulation
Authors: Shi Yusheng , Wang Peiyuan , Li Mochen , Zhang Tiexin , Han Gang , Duan Chunying
Published: February 2023

Redox logic materials offer new avenues to modulate intracellular pathologic redox environment area‐specifically, but the unambiguity of redox logic states and their unidirectional and repetitive switchability are challenging to realize. By merging a bistable diisophthalic phenazine dye ligand with CuIIsalt, a multistable coordination polymer (CP) was constructed, of which the dye‐Cu anisotropic junction achieved the diode‐like unidirectional electron transfer and logic state ratchet for the first time. Radical cationic CP maintainedOFFstatus with low toxicity in healthy tissues, but was reduced to the neutralSERVOstate by the overexpressed glutathione (GSH) in hypoxic tumors. After photoirradiation, the stabilized charge‐separatedONstatus promoted photo‐Fenton reaction for reactive oxygen species (ROS) signal transduction, and simultaneously recovered the initial state for catalytic signal amplification of ROS, furnishing intratumor redox photomodulation for therapy.
Double Deprotonation of CH3CN by an Iron‐Aluminium Complex**
Authors: Stadler Benedek , Gorgas Nikolaus , White Andrew J. P. , Crimmin Mark R.
Published: February 2023

Herein we present the first double deprotonation of acetonitrile (CH3CN) using two equivalents of a bimetallic iron‐aluminium complex. The products of this reaction contain an exceeding simple yet rare [CHCN]2− dianion moiety that bridges two metal fragments. DFT calculations suggest that the bonding to the metal centres occurs through heavily polarised covalent interactions. Mechanistic studies reveal the intermediacy of a monomeric [CH2CN]− complex, which has been characterised in situ. Our findings provide an important example in which a bimetallic metal complex achieves a new type of reactivity not previously encountered with monometallic counterparts.[1, 2] The isolation of a [CHCN]2− dianion through simple deprotonation of CH3CN also offers the possibility of establishing a broader chemistry of this motif.
Cas9‐orthologue‐mediated cytosine and adenine base editors recognizing NNAAAA PAM sequences
Authors: Li Min , Zhao Yuting , Xue Xiaowen , Zhong Jingli , Lin Jianxiang , Zhou Jiankui , Yu Wenhua , Chen Jun , Qiao Yunbo
Published: February 2023

CRISPR/Cas9 system has been applied as an effective genome‐targeting technology. By fusing deaminases with Cas9 nickase (nCas9), various cytosine and adenine base editors (CBEs and ABEs) have been successfully developed that can efficiently induce nucleotide conversions and install pathogenic single nucleotide variants (SNVs) in cultured cells and animal models. However, the applications of BEs are frequently limited by the specific protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) sequences and protein sizes. To expand the toolbox for BEs that can recognize novel PAM sequences, we cloned a Cas9 ortholog from Streptococcus sinensis (named as SsiCas9) with a smaller size and constructed it into APOBEC1‐ or APOBEC3A‐composed CBEs and TadA or TadA*‐composed ABEs, which yield high editing efficiencies, low off‐targeting activities, and low indel rates in human cells. Compared to PAMless SpRY Cas9‐composed BE4max, SsiCas9‐mediated BE4max displayed higher editing efficiencies for targets with “NNAAAA” PAM sequences. Moreover, SsiCas9‐mediated BE4max induced highly efficient C‐to‐T conversions in the mouse Ar gene (R841C) to introduce a human androgen resistance syndrome‐related mutation (AR R820C) in early mouse embryos. Thus, we developed novel BEs mediated by SsiCas9, expanded the toolbox for base conversions, and broadened the range of editable genomes in vitro and in vivo.
Coevolving stability and activity of LsCR by a single point mutation and constructing neat substrate bioreaction system
Authors: Liu Hua‐Tao , Weng Chun‐Yue , Zhou Lei , Xu Hao‐Bo , Liao Zhen‐Yu , Hong Han‐Yue , Ye Yuan‐Fan , Li Shu‐Fang , Wang Ya‐Jun , Zheng Yu‐Guo
Published: February 2023

Carbonyl reductase (CR)‐catalyzed bioreduction in the organic phase and the neat substrate reaction system is a lasting challenge, placing higher requirements on the performance of enzymes. Protein engineering is an effective method to enhance the properties of enzymes for industrial applications. In the present work, a single point mutation E145A on our previously constructed CR mutant LsCRM3, coevolved thermostability, and activity. Compared with LsCRM3, the catalytic efficiency kcat/KM of LsCRM3‐E145A (LsCRM4) was increased from 6.6 to 21.9 s−1 mM−1. Moreover, E145A prolonged the half‐life t1/2 at 40°C from 4.1 to 117 h, was increased by 5°C, was increased by 14.6°C, and Topt was increased by 15°C. Only 1 g/L of lyophilized Escherichia coli cells expressing LsCRM4 completely reduced up to 600 g/L 2‐chloro‐1‐(3,4‐difluorophenyl)ethanone (CFPO) within 13 h at 45°C, yielding the corresponding (1S)‐2‐chloro‐1‐(3,4‐difluorophenyl)ethanol ((S)‐CFPL) in 99.5% eeP, with a space‐time yield of 1.0 kg/L d, the substrate to catalyst ratios (S/C) of 600 g/g. Compared with LsCRM3, the substrate loading was increased by 50%, with the S/C increased by 14 times. Compared with LsCRWT, the substrate loading was increased by 6.5 times. In contrast, LsCRM4 completely converted 600 g/L CFPO within 12 h in the neat substrate bioreaction system.
Fusion Enzymes Involved in Biosynthetic Tailoring Reactions in Fungi
Authors: Liang Jia‐jing , Li Hang
Published: February 2023

Enzyme fusion, the fusion of enzymes with different domains to a single protein, has been widely recognized as a promising strategy in the development of biocatalysts. Nature has evolved gene fusion to combine different catalytic enzymes to function as a fusion enzyme, and this strategy is utilized in many natural product biosynthetic pathways. Owing to rapid advances in genome sequencing and biosynthetic pathway characterization, there is increasing interest in fusion enzymes from fungal biosynthetic pathways, particularly those involved in tailoring steps. This concept aims to provide an up‐to‐date overview of fusion enzymes that catalyze tailoring reactions in the biosynthesis of fungal secondary metabolites. Since fungal fusion enzymes are often associated with novel metabolites, this pioneering work may stimulate the exploration of the structural diversity of fungal natural products through genome mining of the untapped biosynthetic pathways involving fusion enzymes.
Fullerene C70as Photoredox Catalyst for the Synthesis of Pyrrolo[2,1‐a]isoquinolines by 1,3‐Dipolar Cycloaddition‐Aromatization Sequence
Authors: Rana Priksha , Udari Ganesh , Sridhar Balasubramanian , Prakash Singh Surya
Published: February 2023

Herein, fullerene (C70) is introduced as an effective photoredox catalyst for the construction of a highly functionalised pyrrolo[2,1‐a]isoquinoline framework by 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition‐aromatisation reaction sequence. The ability of C70to efficiently harvest visible light, its long‐triplet state lifetime, good photostability, and strong singlet oxygen generation potential (Φ▵≈1), make it an efficient photoredox catalyst. Upon photoirradiation, C70promotes the formation of singlet oxygen and superoxide radical by energy transfer (EnT) and single electron transfer (SET) mechanism. The superoxide radical acts as a potential oxidant in the formation of azomethine ylide through the oxidation‐deprotonation tandem process. Azomethine ylide further participates in [3+2]‐cycloaddition reaction protocol with alkene/alkyne to give the corresponding pyrrolo[2,1‐a]isoquinolines. Interestingly, this protocol allows the activation of a wide range of substrates giving access to a diverse library of 48 well‐decorated pyrrolo[2,1‐a]isoquinolines with good functional group tolerance.
Expedient Synthesis of Dihaloalkenynes via Pd‐Catalyzed Haloalkynylation Reaction
Authors: Ji Xiaoliang , Peng Xin , Hong Huanliang , Xu Yanghao , Nie Jinli , Chen Lu , Mo Zongwen , Li Yibiao , Jiang Huanfeng
Published: February 2023

Herein, the PdII‐catalyzed construction of functionalized dihaloalkenynes from haloalkynes via a self‐haloalkynylation reaction, without specialized ligands or oxidizing additives, is reported. The method tolerates a diverse range of haloalkynes, including electron‐donating and electron‐withdrawing functional groups, such as macrocyclic alkynols, spiro‐oxy ring alkynols, and even carbazole‐containing, pyrrolidine‐2,5‐dione‐containing and silyl‐protected bromoalkynes. Using an opposite lithium halide (LiX) to the haloalkyne starting material, remarkably high regio‐ and stereoselectivity of the haloalkynylation reaction is possible, yielding 1‐bromo‐2‐chloroalkenyne or 2‐bromo‐1‐chloroalkenyne products as desired.
Is $8.8 per kilogram more expensive than $3.99 per pound? An investigation of the effect of measurement units on price perceptions
Authors: Liu Yonglan , Thakor Mrugank , Chen Rui
Published: February 2023

Retailers often display prices in different formats to make them appear more attractive. In some contexts, they can also attach prices to different measurement units—e.g., cereal can be priced at $3.99 per kg or equivalently at $1.36 per lb. In five experimental studies, we show that consumers' perceptions of expensiveness and consumer spending are heavily influenced by the numerical magnitude of the price (“3.99”) with insufficient attention paid to the measurement unit (“kg”), that this overweighting of numerical magnitude persists across different price formats, and that product price perceptions mediate the effect of measurement system on the price image of the store. Our findings have implications for policy makers as well as pricing practitioners.