bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Observations of megacusp dynamics and their coupling with crescentic bars at an open, fetch‐limited beach
Authors: de Swart Rinse L. , Ribas Francesca , Calvete Daniel , Simarro Gonzalo , Guillén Jorge
Published: July 2022

Alongshore changes in shorelines along sandy beaches are a result of variations in wave conditions and nearshore morphology, which can cause straight shorelines to develop large‐scale (100–1000 m wavelength) undulations, called megacusps, which cause local shoreline accretion and erosion. Megacusps are often morphologically coupled to alongshore variability in the nearshore sandbar (crescentic bars). Sandbar rhythmicity has been studied extensively, whilst megacusp dynamics and their coupling with crescentic bars have received less attention. This study uses a long‐term dataset of hourly time‐exposure video images and detailed propagated wave conditions to investigate megacusp dynamics and the corresponding sandbar–shoreline coupling at the low‐energetic, tideless beach of Castelldefels (northwestern Mediterranean Sea, Spain). Megacusps were observed during 24% of the study period. Crescentic bars were present during 91% of the days with megacusps, whilst megacusps were not observed during 50% of the days with crescentic bars. Megacusp wavelengths (100–700 m) were comparable to those of crescentic bars, whilst cross‐shore amplitudes (3–8 m) and alongshore migration speeds (0–15 m/day) were smaller than those of crescentic bars. No clear relation was observed between wave conditions and megacusp formation, migration and disappearance. However, megacusp presence was strongly linked to crescentic bar presence, as megacusps mostly developed some days after the formation of a crescentic bar. Coupling between shoreline and inner sandbar was significant during 74% of the time with simultaneous presence of megacusps and crescentic bars. No dominance of one particular coupling pattern was observed, although the pattern depended on the wave height and the wave angle. It is hypothesised that the wave height and angle determine the type of flow pattern over the inner crescentic bar (single or double rip cell circulations versus meandering currents) and thus control the type of coupling.
Bioamplification and Biomagnification of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Halogenated Organic Pollutants in Moths from an Electronic Waste Recycling Site
Authors: Luo Xiao-Jun , Huang Li-Qian , Guan Ke-Lan , Qi Xue-Meng , Zeng Yan-Hong , Mai Bi-Xian
Published: July 2022

Samples of Asota caricae (larvae, pupae, and adults) and its host plant leaf (Ficus hispida), larvae of Aloa lactinea, and mixed adult moths were collected from an electronic waste (e-waste) recycling site in south China. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls, and polybrominated diphenyl ethers were found to exhibit concentrations of 420–1300, 100–860, and 7.6–49 ng/g dry weight, respectively. The different chemical compositions among the samples of the three groups indicated that at least two exposure scenarios occurred among the moths in the study area. A complex relationship between bioamplification factors and the octanol–water partition coefficient (log KOW) was observed during metamorphosis, in which a positive relationship was evident for 5 < log KOW < 7, whereas an inverse relationship occurred for log KOW values outside of this range. The biomagnification factors (BMFs) calculated from the larvae of Asota caricae to the host plant were negatively correlated with log KOW for all chemicals, differing completely from those obtained in previous studies. However, after metamorphosis, the correlation between BMF and log KOW was found to coincide with that in previous studies. These results indicate that the biotransformation of pollutants in organisms played a key role in determining whether or not biomagnification occurred in organisms and highlight the potential application of the metabolic rate of chemicals in screening-level risk assessments of new chemicals. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:2395–2403. © 2022 SETAC
Making the whole greater than the sum of its parts: A literature review of ensemble methods for financial time series forecasting
Authors: Albuquerque Pedro Henrique Melo , Peng Yaohao , Silva João Pedro Fontoura da
Published: July 2022

This paper discusses the application of ensemble techniques for the prediction of time series, presenting an in‐depth review of the main techniques and algorithms used by the recent literature, with emphasis on the bootstrap aggregation (bagging) and boosting approaches. We also discuss the theoretical foundations of the ensemble‐based models, presenting measures of model stability and the main aggregation methods to combine the forecasts of the individual models, as well as recommendations for future developments for related research agendas.
Housing cost burden and material hardship among older adults: How do they influence psychological health?
Authors: Park Gum‐Ryeong , Seo Bo Kyong
Published: July 2022

Objectives

Despite a growing body of evidence for the association between housing cost burden and psychological health, few studies have focused on the potential mediators of this association and the extent to which housing cost burden poses a threat to older adults' psychological health. This study aims to assess (a) the link between housing cost burden and psychological health among older adults and (b) how the association is mediated by material hardship.

Methods

Using thirteen waves of a nationally representative longitudinal study in Korea, this study assessed the association between housing cost burden and depressive symptoms among older adults aged 65 or over. Mediation tests were conducted to identify whether material hardship explains the link between housing cost burden and depressive symptoms. We used fixed‐effects models to take into account individual‐level heterogeneity.

Results

Housing cost burden was significantly associated with depressive symptoms among older adults, regardless of their housing tenure status. Different types of material hardship partially mediated the association between housing cost burden and depressive symptoms in older adults. Older adults with severe housing cost burden are more susceptible to all types of material hardship compared to those with a moderate burden.

Conclusions

To contribute further to the social causation discussions, future studies should seek to identify protective factors of depressive symptoms among older adults and other potential mechanisms of the association between older adults' socioeconomic conditions and their psychological health.
Interventions for head and neck cancer survivors: Systematic review
Authors: Margalit Danielle N. , Salz Talya , Venchiarutti Rebecca , Milley Kristi , McNamara Mairead , Chima Sophie , Wong Jamieson , Druce Paige , Nekhlyudov Larissa
Published: July 2022

Background

Interventions for head/neck cancer (HNC) survivors may not address their cancer‐related and general health needs.

Methods

Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analysis (PRISMA) guided this systematic review of studies from 2000 to 2021 of interventions targeting cancer survivors treated with curative‐intent, using MEDLINE, Embase, Emcare, and PsycINFO. Interventions were categorized into domains of the Quality of Cancer Survivorship Care Framework to characterize the scope and quality of interventions.

Results

We identified 28 studies for inclusion: 13 randomized and 15 non‐randomized. Most targeted surveillance/management of physical effects (n = 24) including 13 that also targeted psychosocial effects. Four studies addressed prevention/surveillance for recurrence/new cancers, one addressed health promotion/disease prevention, and one addressed chronic medical conditions. Most studies (n = 27) had medium‐high risk of bias.

Conclusions

There are few high‐quality studies addressing HNC survivorship. Future rigorously designed studies should address broader areas of care, including chronic disease management and health promotion/disease prevention.
NR1H3 (LXRα) is associated with pro‐inflammatory macrophages, predicts survival and suggests potential therapeutic rationales in diffuse large b‐cell lymphoma
Authors: Vegliante Maria Carmela , Mazzara Saveria , Zaccaria Gian Maria , De Summa Simona , Esposito Flavia , Melle Federica , Motta Giovanna , Sapienza Maria Rosaria , Opinto Giuseppina , Volpe Giacomo , Bucci Antonella , Gargano Grazia , Enjuanes Anna , Tabanelli Valentina , Fiori Stefano , Minoia Carla , Clemente Felice , Negri Antonio , Gulino Alessandro , Morello Gaia , Scattone Anna , Zito Alfredo F. , Tommasi Stefania , Agostinelli Claudio , Vitolo Umberto , Chiappella Annalisa , Barbui Anna Maria , Derenzini Enrico , Zinzani Pier Luigi , Casadei Beatrice , Rivas‐Delgado Alfredo , López‐Guillermo Armando , Campo Elias , Moschetta Antonio , Guarini Attilio , Pileri Stefano A. , Ciavarella Sabino
Published: July 2022

The role of macrophages (Mo) and their prognostic impact in diffuse large B‐cell lymphomas (DLBCL) remain controversial. By regulating the lipid metabolism, Liver‐X‐Receptors (LXRs) control Mo polarization/inflammatory response, and their pharmacological modulation is under clinical investigation to treat human cancers, including lymphomas. Herein, we surveyed the role of LXRs in DLBCL for prognostic purposes. Comparing bulk tumors with purified malignant and normal B‐cells, we found an intriguing association of NR1H3, encoding for the LXR‐α isoform, with the tumor microenvironment (TME). CIBERSORTx‐based purification on large DLBCL datasets revealed a high expression of the receptor transcript in M1‐like pro‐inflammatory Mo. By determining an expression cut‐off of NR1H3, we used digital measurement to validate its prognostic capacity on two large independent on‐trial and real‐world cohorts. Independently of classical prognosticators, NR1H3high patients displayed longer survival compared with NR1H3low cases and a high‐resolution Mo GEP dissection suggested a remarkable transcriptional divergence between subgroups. Overall, our findings indicate NR1H3 as a Mo‐related biomarker identifying patients at higher risk and prompt future preclinical studies investigating its mouldability for therapeutic purposes.
Circulating plasma phospholipid fatty acid levels and breast cancer risk in the Cancer Prevention Study‐II Nutrition Cohort
Authors: Matta Michèle , Deubler Emily , Chajes Veronique , Vozar Beatrice , Gunter Marc J. , Murphy Neil , Gaudet Mia M.
Published: July 2022

Prospective studies that objectively measure circulating levels of fatty acids are needed to clarify their role in the etiology of breast cancer. Thirty‐eight phospholipid fatty acids were measured using gas chromatograph in the plasma fraction of blood samples collected prospectively from 2718 postmenopausal women (905 breast cancer cases) enrolled in the Cancer Prevention Study II Nutrition Cohort. Associations of 28 fatty acids that passed quality control metrics (modeled as per 1‐SD increase) with breast cancer risk were assessed using multiple variable conditional logistic regression models to compute odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). The false discovery rate (q value) was computed to account for multiple comparisons. Myristic acid levels were positively associated with breast cancer risk (OR, 1.17, 95% CI: 1.07‐1.28; q value = 0.03). Borderline associations were also found for palmitoleic acid (OR, 1.14, 95% CI: 1.04‐1.24) and desaturation index16 (OR, 1.10, 95% CI: 1.01‐1.20) at nominal P values (<.03) (q values>0.05). These findings suggest that higher circulating levels of myristic acid, sourced from dietary intake of palm kernel oils along with increased de novo synthesis of fatty acids, may increase breast cancer risk. Additional studies are needed to investigate de novo synthesis of fatty acid in breast cancer tissues.
China's global value chain linkage and logistics performances in emerging ASEAN economies
Authors: Taguchi Hiroyuki , Zhao Jun
Published: July 2022

This paper aims to evaluate the extent of China's forward linkage of global value chains (GVCs) with emerging market economies of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) compared to those with the United States and Japan, and also to examine the nexus of China's forward GVC linkage with logistics performances in emerging ASEAN economies as China's trade partners. This study uses the UNCTAD‐Eora Database and applies a structural gravity trade model for empirical analysis. The statistical observations identified the major position of China's GVC, which has transformed from a backward linkage to a forward linkage since the mid‐2000s. The empirical estimation verified that there is less linkage in China's forward GVC with emerging ASEAN economies than with the United States and Japan, and demonstrated that the lack of logistics performances in emerging ASEAN economies has been a significant factor in explaining the less linkage in China's forward GVC with them.
Does Chinese policy banks' overseas lending favor Belt Road Initiative countries?
Authors: Chen Xin , Fang Heyang , Liu Yun , Zhang Yifei
Published: July 2022

This paper examines how Chinese policy banks responded to China's Belt Road Initiative (BRI) using transaction‐level international syndicated loan data. Employing a difference‐in‐differences (DID) estimation, we show that Chinese policy banks increased aggregate lending (number of loans and loan amounts) to firms from the BRI countries compared to those from the non‐BRI countries after the initiative. This increase was more pronounced among firms along the continental route and in the infrastructure sectors. We also find that Chinese policy banks' loans to the BRI borrowers were associated with reduced spread, lowered collateral requirement, and extended maturity. Moreover, our results suggest that Chinese policy banks gave more support to firms from the BRI countries with weaker economic performance, more fragile institutional quality, and closer political interests. Overall, our study highlights the supportive role played by Chinese policy banks in implementing a national globalization strategy.
Cell Surface Calcium-Sensing Receptor Heterodimers: Mutant Gene Dosage Affects Ca2+ Sensing but Not G Protein Interaction
Authors: Goolam Mahvash A. , Brown Alice P. , Edwards Kimberly T. , Gregory Karen J. , Leach Katie , Conigrave Arthur D.
Published: July 2022

The calcium-sensing receptor is a homodimeric class C G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) that senses extracellular Ca2+ (Ca2+o) via a dimeric extracellular Venus flytrap (VFT) unit that activates G protein-dependent signaling via twin Cysteine-rich domains linked to transmembrane heptahelical (HH) bundles. It plays a key role in the regulation of human calcium and thus mineral metabolism. However, the nature of interactions between VFT units and HH bundles, and the impacts of heterozygous or homozygous inactivating mutations, which have implications for disorders of calcium metabolism are not yet clearly defined. Herein we generated CaSR-GABAB1 and CaSR-GABAB2 chimeras subject to GABAB-dependent endoplasmic reticulum sorting to traffic mutant heterodimers to the cell surface. Transfected HEK-293 cells were assessed for Ca2+o-stimulated Ca2+i mobilization using mutations in either the VFT domains and/or HH bundle intraloop-2 or intraloop-3. When the same mutation was present in both VFT domains of receptor dimers, analogous to homozygous neonatal severe hyperparathyroidism (NSHPT), receptor function was markedly impaired. Mutant heterodimers containing one wild-type (WT) and one mutant VFT domain, however, corresponding to heterozygous familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia type-1 (FHH-1), supported maximal signaling with reduced Ca2+o potency. Thus two WT VFT domains were required for normal Ca2+o potency and there was a pronounced gene-dosage effect. In contrast, a single WT HH bundle was insufficient for maximal signaling and there was no functional difference between heterodimers in which the mutation was present in one or both intraloops; ie, no gene-dosage effect. Finally, we observed that the Ca2+o-stimulated CaSR operated exclusively via signaling in-trans and not via combined in-trans and in-cis signaling. We consider how receptor asymmetry may support the underlying mechanisms. © 2022 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Current use, training, and barriers in point‐of‐care ultrasound in hospital medicine: A national survey of VA hospitals
Authors: Williams Jason P. , Nathanson Robert , LoPresti Charles M. , Mader Michael J. , Haro Elizabeth K. , Drum Brandy , O'Brien Edward , Khosla Rahul , Boyd Jeremy S. , Bales Brian , Wetherbee Erin , Sauthoff Harald , Schott Christopher K. , Basrai Zahir , Resop Dana , Lucas Brian P. , Soni Nilam J.
Published: July 2022

Background

Point‐of‐care ultrasound (POCUS) can reduce procedural complications and improve the diagnostic accuracy of hospitalists. Currently, it is unknown how many practicing hospitalists use POCUS, which applications are used most often, and what barriers to POCUS use exist.

Objective

This study aimed to characterize current POCUS use, training needs, and barriers to use among hospital medicine groups (HMGs).

Design, Setting, and Participants

A prospective observational study of all Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers was conducted between August 2019 and March 2020 using a web‐based survey sent to all chiefs of HMGs. These data were compared to a similar survey conducted in 2015.

Result

Chiefs from 117 HMGs were surveyed, with a 90% response rate. There was ongoing POCUS use in 64% of HMGs. From 2015 to 2020, procedural POCUS use decreased by 19%, but diagnostic POCUS use increased for cardiac (8%), pulmonary (7%), and abdominal (8%) applications. The most common barrier to POCUS use was lack of training (89%), and only 34% of HMGs had access to POCUS training. Access to ultrasound equipment was the least common barrier (57%). The proportion of HMGs with ≥1 ultrasound machine increased from 29% to 71% from 2015 to 2020. An average of 3.6 ultrasound devices per HMG was available, and 45% were handheld devices.

Conclusion

From 2015 to 2020, diagnostic POCUS use increased, while procedural use decreased among hospitalists in the VA system. Lack of POCUS training is currently the most common barrier to POCUS use among hospitalists.
Digital credit and the gender gap in financial inclusion: Empirical evidence from Kenya
Authors: Johnen Constantin , Mußhoff Oliver
Published: July 2022

Formal digital credit raises hopes to decrease the gender gap in financial inclusion. However, up until now, it remains unknown whether these hopes are justified. Using nationally representative household surveys from Kenya, the present study aims to fill this gap. We find strong indication that formal digital credit, contrasting to expectations, has led to an increase in the gender gap in financial inclusion. We further find indication that the pervasive gender gap in the formal digital credit market is largely attributable to gender differences in socio‐economic variables in combination with a lack of contract term heterogeneity in that market. The paper suggests that policies to strengthen women's position in society and/or to encourage contract term heterogeneity in the formal digital credit market could decrease the gender gap in financial inclusion.
Antecedents and innovation outcomes of not‐invented‐here syndrome – Examination at individual, managerial, and organizational levels
Authors: Vanska Anu , Hurmelinna‐Laukkanen Pia
Published: July 2022

A negatively shaped attitude‐based bias towards external knowledge—the not‐invented‐here (NIH) syndrome—may constitute a significant obstacle for effective adoption of external knowledge and impair organizational innovativeness. The goal of this study is to shed light to the question how organizational and managerial features drive individual NIH, and how NIH connects further to individual innovativeness. Analysis of survey data collected from 93 employees reveals a joint effect of person‐organization fit and leader‐member exchange on NIH, and a negative association between NIH and innovative work behavior. Contrary to expectations, person‐organization fit and perceived innovativeness of organizational culture do not have joint effects on NIH. The findings contribute to the development of a theoretical model of the interplay between individual‐, managerial‐ and organizational‐level antecedents and consequences of the NIH syndrome.
Symptom Outcomes After Sialendoscopy‐Assisted Salivary Duct Surgery: A Prospective 6‐Year Study
Authors: Callander Jacquelyn K. , Plonowska‐Hirschfeld Karolina , Gulati Arushi , Chang Jolie L. , Ryan William R.
Published: July 2022

Objective

The objective is to evaluate the long‐term impact of sialendoscopic‐assisted salivary duct surgery (SASDS) on sialadenitis symptoms using the Chronic Obstructive Sialadenitis Symptoms (COSS) questionnaire.

Methods

The COSS questionnaire, which scores symptoms on a 0–100 scale, was administered prospectively to adult patients pre‐operatively, 1‐year, and 6‐years post‐operatively. We examined COSS scores and categories representing complete (<10), partial (10–25), and no (>25) resolution of symptoms with attention to factors significantly associated with incomplete resolution (≥10).

Results

Approximately 6‐years after SASDS, 111 patients reported scores for 128 symptomatic glands (72 with sialolithiasis, 56 without sialolithiasis). For glands with sialolithiasis, the median COSS score pre‐SASDS was 27.5 (interquartile range [IQR]: 13.5–43), which was significantly reduced to 1.0 (IQR: 0–5.5) at 1‐year and 1.5 (IQR 0–5) at 6‐years postoperatively. Glands without sialolithiasis had a median COSS score of 40.5 (IQR: 23–52.5) preoperatively, that significantly reduced to 13.5 (IQR 5–21) at 1‐year and 14 (IQR 6.5–25.5) at 6‐years post‐operatively. There was no significant difference in scores from 1‐ to 6‐years. Intraoperative presence of sialolith, absence of stenosis, stenosis in the distal duct, and submandibular gland involvement were significant predictors of complete resolution of symptoms at 6‐years.

Conclusion

Approximately 6‐years after SASDS for sialadenitis, the majority of patients have durable symptom improvement. The sialolithiasis group had higher rates of complete resolution compared to the non‐sialolithiasis group. Presence of ductal stenosis on sialendoscopy, non‐distal stenoses, and parotid gland involvement were risk factors for persistent long‐term sialadenitis symptoms. Laryngoscope, 133:792–800, 2023
Heterogeneous glycosylation and methylation of the Aeromonas caviae flagellin
Authors: Lowry Rebecca C. , Allihaybi Laila , Parker Jennifer L. , Couto Narciso A. S. , Stafford Graham P. , Shaw Jonathan G.
Published: July 2022

Bacterial swimming is mediated by the rotation of a flagellar filament. Many bacteria are now known to be able to O‐glycosylate their flagellins, the proteins that make up the flagellar filament. For bacteria that use nonulosonic acid sugars such as pseudaminic acid, this glycosylation process is essential for the formation of a functional flagellum. However, the specific role of glycosylation remains elusive. Aeromonas caviae is a model for this process as it has a genetically simple glycosylation system. Here, we investigated the localization of the glycans on the A. caviae flagellum filament. Using mass spectrometry it was revealed that pseudaminic acid O‐glycosylation was heterogeneous with no serine or threonine sites that were constantly glycosylated. Site‐directed mutagenesis of particular glycosylation sites in most cases resulted in strains that had reduced motility and produced less detectable flagellin on Western blots. For flagellin O‐linked glycosylation, there is no known consensus sequence, although hydrophobic amino acids have been suggested to play a role. We, therefore, performed site‐directed mutagenesis of isoleucine or leucine residues flanking the sites of glycosylation and demonstrated a reduction in motility and the amount of flagellin present in the cells, indicating a role for these hydrophobic amino acids in the flagellin glycosylation process.
Differential Immunometabolic Effects of High‐Fat Diets Containing Coconut, Sunflower, and Extra Virgin Olive Oils in Female Mice
Authors: Rodríguez‐García Carmen , Sánchez‐Quesada Cristina , Algarra Ignacio , Gaforio José J.
Published: July 2022

Scope

To compare the effects of three high‐fat diets (HFDs) based on coconut, sunflower, or extra virgin olive oils (EVOOs) on adipose tissue, metabolism, and inflammation.

Methods and Results

Mice are fed for 16 weeks on their respective HFD. HFD based on coconut oil produces significantly lower body weight than EVOO‐ or sunflower oil‐based HFDs. Furthermore, the coconut oil HFD leads to metabolic disturbances such as reduction of circulating leptin and adiponectin concentrations, hypertriglyceridemia, hepatomegaly, and liver triglyceride accumulation. Likewise, this diet produces an increase in serum pro‐inflammatory cytokines (interleukin 6 [IL‐6] and tumor necrosis factor‐α [TNF‐α]). In white (WAT) and brown (BAT) adipose tissue, the HFD based on coconut oil does not cause significant changes in the expression of studied proteins related to thermogenesis (uncoupling protein 1 [UCP‐1]), mitochondrial biogenesis, and browning (peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐γ coactivator 1α [PGC‐1α] and nuclear factor E2‐related factor 2 [Nrf2]). However, the HFD based on EVOO induces upregulation of UCP‐1, PGC‐1α, and Nrf2 expression in BAT, increases the expression of UCP‐1 and PGC‐1α in inguinal WAT, and enhances the expression of PGC‐1α in epididymal WAT.

Conclusions

An HFD based on coconut oil could reduce circulating leptin and adiponectin concentrations, increase the liver fat content, raise serum triglycerides, and promote inflammation by increasing circulating pro‐inflammatory cytokines, while an EVOO‐based HFD could increase thermogenic activity.
Community‐Organized Resources for ReproducibleMRSData Analysis
Authors: Soher Brian J. , Clarke William T. , Wilson Martin , Near Jamie , Oeltzschner Georg
Published: July 2022

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Findings of 18F‐PI‐2620 tau PET imaging in patients with Alzheimer’s disease and healthy controls in relation to the plasma P‐tau181 levels in a Japanese sample
Authors: Bun Shogyoku , Moriguchi Sho , Tezuka Toshiki , Sato Yoshiaki , Takahata Keisuke , Seki Morinobu , Nakajima Shinichiro , Yamamoto Yasuharu , Sano Yasunori , Suzuki Natsumi , Morimoto Ayaka , Ueda Ryo , Tabuchi Hajime , Ito Daisuke , Mimura Masaru
Published: July 2022

Background

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia worldwide. In AD, abnormal tau accumulates within neurons of the brain, facilitated by extracellular β‐amyloid deposition, leading to neurodegeneration, and eventually, cognitive impairment. As this process is thought to be irreversible, early identification of abnormal tau in the brain is crucial for the development of new therapeutic interventions.

Aims

18F‐PI‐2620 is one of the second‐generation tau PET tracers with presumably less off‐target binding than its predecessors. Although a few clinical studies have recently reported the use of 18F‐PI‐2620 tau PET in patients with AD, its applicability to AD is yet to be thoroughly examined.

Methods

In the present pilot study, we performed 18F‐PI‐2620 tau PET in seven cases of probable AD (AD group) and seven healthy controls (HC group). Standardized uptake value ratios (SUVR) in regions of interest (ROIs) in the medial temporal region and neocortex were compared between the AD and HC groups. Furthermore, correlations between regional SUVR and plasma p‐tau181 as well as cognitive test scores were also analyzed.

Results

The uptake of 18F‐PI‐2620 was distinctly increased in the AD group across all the ROIs. SUVR in all the target ROIs were significantly correlated with plasma p‐tau181 levels, as well as with MMSE and ADAS‐cog scores.

Discussion & Conclusion

Our results add to accumulating evidence suggesting that 18F‐PI‐2620 is a promising tau PET tracer that allows patients with AD to be distinguished from healthy controls, although a study with a larger sample size is warranted.
Investigation of serum and adipose tissue levels of asprosin in patients with severe obesity undergoing sleeve gastrectomy
Authors: Cantay Hasan , Binnetoglu Kenan , Gul Huseyin Fatih , Bingol Seyit Ali
Published: July 2022

Objective

This study aimed to reveal the relationship between obesity and asprosin (fibrillin‐1) in patients undergoing bariatric surgery and to investigate the role of asprosin in obesity etiopathogenesis.

Methods

The study included 37 patients who underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy for severe obesity and 37 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for cholelithiasis in the study and control groups, respectively. Blood samples were collected from the patients in the preoperative period to measure biochemical parameters. Blood samples were collected at 6 months postoperatively from the patients in the study group to compare their pre‐ and postoperative serum asprosin levels.

Results

A significant intergroup difference in terms of mean asprosin levels in adipose tissue was noted (p = 0.001). A comparison of preoperative and postoperative 6‐month serum asprosin levels in the study group showed significant differences (p = 0.021). The area under the curve of asprosin tissue levels was 78.1%, and the cutoff value was 217.34 ng/g of protein, with a sensitivity and specificity of 73.0%. Tissue levels of asprosin were found to increase the risk of obesity by a factor of 1.018 (odds ratio; 95% CI: 1.008‐1.027).

Conclusions

Serum asprosin levels decreased significantly at 6 months after bariatric surgery. Adipose tissue of patients with obesity showed high asprosin levels and immunoreactivity. In conclusion, asprosin levels in adipose tissue were considered a potential independent risk factor in obesity etiopathogenesis.
Synthesis and characterization of ternary layered double hydroxide containing zinc/copper/nickel and its PANI composite
Authors: Pathak Jigyasa , Singh Poonam
Published: July 2022

In this study, ternary layered double hydroxide (LDH) containing Zn, Cu, and Ni was synthesized successfully using hydrolysis route. Upon calcination at a lower temperature of 350 °C, the synthesized lattice transformed into ZnO containing Cu and Ni that can be reformed back to the layered structure simply by a phenomenon known as ‘memory effect’. Furthermore, the synthesized lattice was used for the formation of polyaniline (PANI)‐based composite material. The structural and morphological details of the as‐prepared samples were studied using various spectroscopic techniques, that is, powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy‐energy dispersive X‐ray analysis (SEM–EDX), indicating the formation of single‐phase ternary LDH as well as the successful incorporation of PANI in the interlayer region. Owing to the combined advantages of LDH and conducting polymer (PANI), zinc copper nickel layered double hydroxide (ZnCuNi‐LDH)/PANI composite may be exploited as a potential candidate for a variety of applications in the future.
Registration of ‘USDA Fortress’ winter feed barley with multiple aphid resistance
Authors: Mornhinweg Dolores W. , Carver Brett Frederick , Springer Tim
Published: July 2022

‘USDA Fortress’ (Reg. no. CV‐375, PI 696161), a multiple aphid‐resistant, high yielding, six‐rowed, mid‐season–maturing, winter feed barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) adapted to the Southern Plains, was developed and released by USDA‐ARS in Stillwater, OK. USDA Fortress is highly resistant to Russian wheat aphid [RWA; Diuraphis noxia (Kurdjumov)] and greenbug [Shizaphis graminum (Rondani)], with seedling resistance to the new invasive pest, hedgehog grain aphid [HGA; Sipha maydis (Passerini)]. USDA Fortress has the pedigree ‘Post 90’ *4/R012. Recurrent parent Post 90 has Rsg1 resistance to greenbug, and R012 is an unadapted RWA‐resistant germplasm line selected by USDA‐ARS Stillwater from PI 10706. Post 90 and USDA Fortress rate 2 on Starks’ greenbug resistance scale of 1–9, while USDA Fortress and R012 rate a 3 on Websters Russian wheat aphid resistance scale of 1–9, where 1 is immune and 9 is dead on both scales. Over 17 location‐years, in the absence of aphids, grain yield of USDA Fortress was 19 and 12% greater than ‘Thoroughbred’ and Post 90, respectively. USDA Fortress has average test weight of 60 kg hl–1 and has stable grain yield over state‐wide variability in climatic conditions. USDA Fortress is the first multiple‐aphid resistant barley cultivar in the United States.
“Never good enough.” A situated understanding of the impact of digitalization on citizens living in a low socioeconomic position
Authors: Goedhart Nicole S. , Verdonk Petra , Dedding Christine
Published: July 2022

Digital inequality is a critical issue in our knowledge economy. Often digital inequality is framed as a problem that only older people encounter. This rather stereotypical portrayal can result in improvised and unsuccessful policy actions. The goal of the article is to take the experiences of citizens who never or seldom use information and communication technology as a point of departure to show the impact and outcomes of digitalization on the lives of people with a low socioeconomic position (LSEP) and across different intersections, such as gender, poverty, ethnicity, and age. The results of this qualitative study emphasize that not being able to use the Internet negatively impacts feelings of belonging and self‐confidence. Citizens need to invest continually in new or different equipment and in skills to keep up. Opportunities to invest are shaped at the nexus of gender, class, educational level, and occupational status. Therefore, simply training people in particular digital skills is insufficient. We show that the complexity of digital inequality and its interrelatedness with social inequalities along lines of class, age, gender, and ethnicity demand that policy and practices address digital inequality across the entire scope.
Azathioprine‐induced pancytopenia: A case report
Authors: Sigdel Keshav Raj , Thapa Astha , Dahal Agnimshwor , Panthi Ramchandra , Adhikari Krishan , Shrestha Pradeep , Lama Mipsang , Poudyal Buddhi , Basnyat Buddha
Published: July 2022

Azathioprine (AZA) is commonly used as immunosuppressive therapy for autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Myelosuppression is a common side effect of AZA. Here we report a case of severe myelosuppression following AZA therapy in a 15‐year‐old girl despite a normal thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) level. She had been receiving AZA for SLE and presented with neutropenic fever and pancytopenia. AZA was stopped. After stopping AZA, her blood counts steadily improved. When TPMT genotyping results were normal, AZA was reintroduced. Pancytopenia reappeared after starting AZA, despite normal TPMT genotype. AZA was replaced with mycophenolate mofetil which consequently resulted in improvement of blood counts. It is essential to understand the temporal relationship between AZA use and pancytopenia onset in patients with normal TPMT activity. This case illustrates that regular monitoring of blood cell counts should be routine practice after starting AZA regardless of TPMT activity.
Stress, anxiety, emotion regulation and social support in parent‐child dyads prior to and during the onset of the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Journault Audrey‐Ann , Beaumont Emy , Lupien Sonia J.
Published: July 2022

In March 2020, and in order to assess the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on stress and mental health in parent‐child dyads using pre‐pandemic measures, we recontacted participants from a 2019 study. A total of 136 dyads of Canadian parents (77% mothers, mean age = 44.48 years/old) and children (63% girls, 77% aged 10–12 years/old and 23% aged 15–17 years/old) completed self‐report measures of perceived stress, anxiety (state/sensitivity) and emotion regulation strategies (cognitive reappraisal/expressive suppression). Children additionally completed measures of co‐rumination and perceived social support from friends, parents, and teachers. Results revealed a significant increase in parents' stress and state anxiety during the pandemic compared to before, but not in their children. Dyads' anxiety sensitivity remained unchanged, as well as parents' use of cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression. Children showed similar use of cognitive reappraisal, but less expressive suppression and co‐rumination during the pandemic compared to before. Children reported similar perceived social support from all sources over time. Finally, parental and children scores were not significantly correlated at either time. These results suggest that during the onset of the COVID‐19 pandemic, parents and children responded differently in terms of stress, anxiety, and emotion regulation strategies.
An Unprecedented Fireproof, Anion‐Immobilized Composite Electrolyte Obtained via Solidifying Carbonate Electrolyte for Safe and High‐Power Solid‐State Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Yang Le , Huang Yongxin , Tufail Muhammad Khurram , Wang Xuefeng , Yang Wen
Published: July 2022

The update of electrolytes from a liquid state to a solid state is considered effective in improving the safety and energy density of lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs). Although numerous efforts have been made, solid‐state electrolytes’ (SSEs) insufficient charge transfer capability remains a significant obstruction to practical applications. Herein, a fireproof and anion‐immobilized composite electrolyte is designed by solidifying carbonate electrolyte, exhibiting superior Li‐ion conductivity (11.5 mS cm−1 at 30 °C) and Li‐ion transference number (0.90), which endows LIBs excellent rate capability and cycling stability. Elaborate characteristics and theoretical calculations demonstrate the presence of robust anion‐molecule coordination (composed of lithium bond and Coulomb force) enables a more efficient ion transport, where the mobility of Li+ ion is enhanced meanwhile the anions are immobilized. This work highlights how the strong interactions between electrolyte components can be used to simultaneously regulate the migration of Li+ ion and anion, and realize a one‐step conversion of inflammable liquid‐state electrolyte to nonflammable solid‐state electrolyte.
Heterogeneous Integration of Atomically Thin Semiconductors for Non‐von Neumann CMOS
Authors: Pendurthi Rahul , Jayachandran Darsith , Kozhakhmetov Azimkhan , Trainor Nicholas , Robinson Joshua A. , Redwing Joan M. , Das Saptarshi
Published: July 2022

Atomically thin, 2D, and semiconducting transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are seen as potential candidates for complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology in future nodes. While high‐performance field effect transistors (FETs), logic gates, and integrated circuits (ICs) made from n‐type TMDs such as MoS2 and WS2 grown at wafer scale have been demonstrated, realizing CMOS electronics necessitates integration of large area p‐type semiconductors. Furthermore, the physical separation of memory and logic is a bottleneck of the existing CMOS technology and must be overcome to reduce the energy burden for computation. In this article, the existing limitations are overcome and for the first time, a heterogeneous integration of large area grown n‐type MoS2 and p‐type vanadium doped WSe2 FETs with non‐volatile and analog memory storage capabilities to achieve a non–von Neumann 2D CMOS platform is introduced. This manufacturing process flow allows for precise positioning of n‐type and p‐type FETs, which is critical for any IC development. Inverters and a simplified 2‐input‐1‐output multiplexers and neuromorphic computing primitives such as Gaussian, sigmoid, and tanh activation functions using this non–von Neumann 2D CMOS platform are also demonstrated. This demonstration shows the feasibility of heterogeneous integration of wafer scale 2D materials.
Boron‐Intercalation‐Induced Phase Evolution of Rh Metallene for Energy‐Saving H2 Production by H2O2 Oxidation Coupled with Water Electrolysis
Authors: Deng Kai , Wang Wenxin , Mao Qiqi , Yu Hongjie , Wang Ziqiang , Xu You , Li Xiaonian , Wang Hongjing , Wang Liang
Published: July 2022

Tailoring the morphology and crystal structure of metallene is critical to improve its electrocatalytic performance. In this work, hetero‐phase RhB metallene (h‐RhB metallene) with amorphous/crystalline structure is readily prepared by a two‐step method. The h‐RhB metallene is very unique in its non‐metallic heteroatom doping and amorphous/crystalline structure. Benefiting from the unique metallene structure and the optimized electronic states induced by the incorporation of B atoms, the h‐RhB metallene exhibits superior performance for hydrogen evolution reaction and hydrogen peroxide electro‐oxidation reaction (HPOR). When coupled with HPOR, the h‐RhB metallene||h‐RhB metallene water electrolysis two‐electrode system exhibits a lower cell voltage of 0.379 V (@ 10 mA cm−2) compared with the overall water splitting (1.35 V). The presented synthetic method provides a powerful strategy to design metallene with hetero‐phase for energy‐saving H2 production.
In Situ Antigen‐Capturing Nanochaperone Toward Personalized Nanovaccine for Cancer Immunotherapy
Authors: Li Xue , Zhang Yongxin , Wu Xiaohui , Chen Jiajing , Yang Menglin , Ma Feihe , Shi Linqi
Published: July 2022

Personalized cancer vaccination using nanomaterials holds great potential for cancer immunotherapy. Here, a nanochaperone (PBA‐nChap) is tailored for in situ capture of tumor‐associated antigens (TAAs) to improve cancer immunotherapy. The PBA‐nChap is capable of i) efficiently capturing TAAs in situ; ii) protecting TAAs from degradation; iii) transporting TAAs to antigen‐presenting cells and promoting cross‐presentation. Intratumor injection of PBA‐nChap in combination with pretreatment with photodynamic therapy (PDT) significantly enhances immune response and exhibits excellent antitumor efficacy. Moreover, nanovaccine prepared by simply co‐culturing PBA‐nChap with tumor cell fragments from surgery resected primary tumor in vitro synergized with immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy can effectively inhibit tumor recurrence and metastasis after an operation. This work provides a promising platform for personalized cancer vaccination.
Multiply Guaranteed and Successively Amplified Activation of a Catalytic DNA Machine for Highly Efficient Intracellular Imaging of MicroRNA
Authors: Yu Shanshan , Shang Jinhua , He Shizhen , Wang Qing , Li Ruomeng , Chen Yingying , Liu Xiaoqing , Wang Fuan
Published: July 2022

DNA amplification machines show great promise for intracellular imaging, yet are always constrained by off‐site machinery activation or signal leakage, originating from the inherent thermodynamically driven hybridization between machinery substrates. Herein, an entropy‐driven catalytic DNA amplification machine is integrated with the on‐site amplified substrate exposure procedure to realize the high‐contrast in vivo imaging of microRNA (miRNA). The key machinery substrate (fuel strands) is initially split into substrate subunits that are respectively grafted into an auxiliary DNA polymerization amplification accessory for eliminating the undesired signal leakage. Meanwhile, in target cells, the auxiliary polymerization accessory can be motivated by cell‐specific mRNA for successively restoring their intact machine‐propelling functions for guaranteeing the on‐site amplified imaging of miRNA with high specificity. This intelligent on‐site multiply guaranteed machinery can improve the specificity of catalytic DNA machines for discriminating different cell types and, thus, can provide a remarkable prospect in biomedical diagnosis.
Fault Diagnosis of Oil‐Immersed Power Transformers Using SVM and Logarithmic Arctangent Transform
Authors: Hu Qin , Mo Jiaqing , Ruan Saisai , Zhang Xin
Published: July 2022

A new method of dissolved gas analysis is proposed to improve the accuracy of transformer fault diagnosis. The slime mold optimized support vector machine (SMA‐SVM), and logarithmic arctangent transform (LOG‐ACT) are combined. On the one hand, the better global optimization performance of SMA is used to optimize SVM parameters to solve the difficulty of SVM parameter selection. On the other hand, corresponding transformations are carried out for different features: the logarithmic(LOG) transformation is carried out for the original DGA data to retain the order of magnitude information. The arctangent (ACT) transformation is carried out for the ratio features to improve the data structure. Therefore, the combination of data transformation and optimization model can improve the accuracy of diagnosis from two aspects of data structure and classification algorithm. The performance of the proposed method was compared with IEC three ratio method, artificial neural network, optimized artificial neural network, GA‐SVM, and PSO‐SVM. Experimental results using published data show that the proposed method can significantly improve the accuracy of transformer fault diagnosis. © 2022 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Recent advancements in single dose slow‐release devices for prophylactic vaccines
Authors: Ray Sayoni , Puente Armando , Steinmetz Nicole F. , Pokorski Jonathan K.
Published: July 2022

Single dose slow‐release vaccines herald a new era in vaccine administration. An ideal device for slow‐release vaccine delivery would be minimally invasive and self‐administered, making these approaches an attractive alternative for mass vaccination programs, particularly during the time of a pandemic. In this review article, we discuss the latest advances in this field, specifically for prophylactic vaccines able to prevent infectious diseases. Recent studies have found that slow‐release vaccines elicit better immune responses and often do not require cold chain transportation and storage, thus drastically reducing the cost, streamlining distribution, and improving efficacy. This promise has attracted significant attention, especially when poor patient compliance of the standard multidose vaccine regimes is considered. Single dose slow‐release vaccines are the next generation of vaccine tools that could overcome most of the shortcomings of present vaccination programs and be the next platform technology to combat future pandemics.

This article is categorized under:

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies

Implantable Materials and Surgical Technologies > Nanomaterials and Implants

Biology‐Inspired Nanomaterials > Protein and Virus‐Based Structures
GGOS Bureau of Products and Standards: Description and Promotion of Geodetic Products
Authors: Angermann D. , Gruber T. , Gerstl M. , Heinkelmann R. , Hugentobler U. , Sánchez L. , Steigenberger P. , Gross R. , Heki K. , Marti U. , Schuh H. , Sehnal M. , Thomas M.
Published: July 2022

The Bureau of Products and Standards (BPS) is a key component of the Global Geodetic Observing System (GGOS) of the International Association of Geodesy (IAG). It supports GGOS in its goal to provide consistent geodetic products needed to monitor, map, and understand changes in the Earth’s shape, rotation, and gravity field. In its present structure, the two Committees “Earth System Modeling” and “Essential Geodetic Variables” as well as the Working Group “Towards a consistent set of parameters for the definition of a new Geodetic Reference System (GRS)” are associated to the BPS. This paper presents the structure and role of the BPS and it highlights some of the recent activities. A major focus is on the classification and description of geodetic products and their representation at the renewed GGOS website (http://www.ggos.org). This website serves as an “entrance door” to geodetic products to satisfy different user needs and communities (e.g., geodesists, geophysicists, other geosciences and further customers) in order to make geodesy more visible to other disciplines and to society.