bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Engineered Sorghum Bagasse Enables a Sustainable Biorefinery with p‐Hydroxybenzoic Acid‐Based Deep Eutectic Solvent
Authors: Wang Yunxuan , Meng Xianzhi , Tian Yang , Kim Kwang Ho , Jia Linjing , Pu Yunqiao , Leem Gyu , Kumar Deepak , Eudes Aymerick , Ragauskas Arthur J. , Yoo Chang Geun
Published: September 2021

Integrating multidisciplinary research in plant genetic engineering and renewable deep eutectic solvents (DESs) can facilitate a sustainable and economic biorefinery. Herein, we leveraged a plant genetic engineering approach to specifically incorporate C6C1 monomers into the lignin structure. By expressing the bacterial ubiC gene in sorghum, p‐hydroxybenzoic acid (PB)‐rich lignin was incorporated into the plant cell wall while this monomer was completely absent in the lignin of the wild‐type (WT) biomass. A DES was synthesized with choline chloride (ChCl) and PB and applied to the pretreatment of the PB‐rich mutant biomass for a sustainable biorefinery. The release of fermentable sugars was significantly enhanced (∼190 % increase) compared to untreated biomass by the DES pretreatment. In particular, the glucose released from the pretreated mutant biomass was up to 12 % higher than that from the pretreated WT biomass. Lignin was effectively removed from the biomass with the preservation of more than half of the β‐Ο‐4 linkages without condensed aromatic structures. Hydrogenolysis of the fractionated lignin was conducted to demonstrate the potential of phenolic compound production. In addition, a simple hydrothermal treatment could selectively extract PB from the same engineered lignin, showing a possible circular biorefinery. These results suggest that the combination of PB‐based DES and engineered PB‐rich biomass is a promising strategy to achieve a sustainable closed‐loop biorefinery.
Metal‐Free Triazine‐Based 2D Covalent Organic Framework for Efficient H2 Evolution by Electrochemical Water Splitting
Authors: Ruidas Santu , Mohanty Bishnupad , Bhanja Piyali , Erakulan E. S. , Thapa Ranjit , Das Prasenjit , Chowdhury Avik , Mandal Sanjay K. , Jena Bikash Kumar , Bhaumik Asim
Published: September 2021

Hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) by electrochemical water splitting is one of the most active areas of energy research, yet the benchmark electrocatalysts used for this reaction are based on expensive noble metals. This is a major bottleneck for their large‐scale operation. Thus, development of efficient metal‐free electrocatalysts is of paramount importance for sustainable and economical production of the renewable fuel hydrogen by water splitting. Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) show much promise for this application by virtue of their architectural stability, nanoporosity, abundant active sites located periodically throughout the framework, and high electronic conductivity due to extended π‐delocalization. This study concerns a new COF material, C6‐TRZ‐TFP, which is synthesized by solvothermal polycondensation of 2‐hydroxybenzene‐1,3,5‐tricarbaldehyde (TFP) and 4,4′,4′′‐(1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4,6‐triyl)tris[(1,1′‐biphenyl)‐4‐amine]. C6‐TRZ‐TFP displayed excellent HER activity in electrochemical water splitting, with a very low overpotential of 200 mV and specific activity of 0.2831 mA cm−2 together with high retention of catalytic activity after a long duration of electrocatalysis in 0.5 m aqueous H2SO4. Density functional theory calculations suggest that the electron‐deficient carbon sites near the π electron‐donating nitrogen atoms are more active towards HER than those near the electron‐withdrawing nitrogen and oxygen atoms.
A brief history and popularity of methods and tools used to estimate micro‐evolutionary forces
Authors: Kidner Jonathan , Theodorou Panagiotis , Engler Jan O. , Taubert Martin , Husemann Martin
Published: September 2021

Population genetics is a field of research that predates the current generations of sequencing technology. Those approaches, that were established before massively parallel sequencing methods, have been adapted to these new marker systems (in some cases involving the development of new methods) that allow genome‐wide estimates of the four major micro‐evolutionary forces—mutation, gene flow, genetic drift, and selection. Nevertheless, classic population genetic markers are still commonly used and a plethora of analysis methods and programs is available for these and high‐throughput sequencing (HTS) data. These methods employ various and diverse theoretical and statistical frameworks, to varying degrees of success, to estimate similar evolutionary parameters making it difficult to get a concise overview across the available approaches. Presently, reviews on this topic generally focus on a particular class of methods to estimate one or two evolutionary parameters. Here, we provide a brief history of methods and a comprehensive list of available programs for estimating micro‐evolutionary forces. We furthermore analyzed their usage within the research community based on popularity (citation bias) and discuss the implications of this bias for the software community. We found that a few programs received the majority of citations, with program success being independent of both the parameters estimated and the computing platform. The only deviation from a model of exponential growth in the number of citations was found for the presence of a graphical user interface (GUI). Interestingly, no relationship was found for the impact factor of the journals, when the tools were published, suggesting accessibility might be more important than visibility.
pyResearchInsights—An open‐source Python package for scientific text analysis
Authors: Shetty Sarthak J. , Ramesh Vijay
Published: September 2021

With an increasing number of scientific articles published each year, there is a need to synthesize and obtain insights across ever‐growing volumes of literature. Here, we present pyResearchInsights, a novel open‐source automated content analysis package that can be used to analyze scientific abstracts within a natural language processing framework.

The package collects abstracts from scientific repositories, identifies topics of research discussed in these abstracts, and presents interactive concept maps to visualize these research topics. To showcase the utilities of this package, we present two examples, specific to the field of ecology and conservation biology.

First, we demonstrate the end‐to‐end functionality of the package by presenting topics of research discussed in 1,131 abstracts pertaining to birds of the Tropical Andes. Our results suggest that a large proportion of avian research in this biodiversity hotspot pertains to species distributions, climate change, and plant ecology.

Second, we retrieved and analyzed 22,561 abstracts across eight journals in the field of conservation biology to identify twelve global topics of conservation research. Our analysis shows that conservation policy and landscape ecology are focal topics of research. We further examined how these conservation‐associated research topics varied across five biodiversity hotspots.

Lastly, we compared the utilities of this package with existing tools that carry out automated content analysis, and we show that our open‐source package has wider functionality and provides end‐to‐end utilities that seldom exist across other tools.
A hierarchical distance sampling model to estimate spatially explicit sea otter density
Authors: Wilson Ryan R. , St. Martin Michelle , Beatty William S.
Published: September 2021

Wildlife managers often rely on analyses conducted prior to the widespread adoption of hierarchical models which can lead to questions about the accuracy of previous inferences. Hierarchical models allow observed data to be partitioned into factors that influenced the collection of the data such as detectability of animals (i.e., observation processes) and factors that influence the ecology of a population such as features that affect the distribution of animals (i.e., ecological processes). Population surveys for sea otters in the Aleutian Islands, Alaska, have historically been conducted by conflating the observation and ecological processes potentially leading to inaccurate population estimates. Based on boat and plane‐based sea otter survey data collected in 2017, we sought to overcome many problems of previous sea otter surveys in southwestern Alaska. We developed a spatially explicit hierarchical distance sampling model to estimate the abundance of sea otters in the Eastern Aleutians Management Unit while explicitly accounting for factors that affect the ability to detect sea otters during surveys (i.e., group size, ocean conditions). We also sought to account for the environmental factors leading to the non‐uniform distribution of sea otter groups by identifying relationships between otter group abundance and environmental attributes (i.e., ocean depth, presence of kelp, underwater substrate). Detection of sea otter groups was related to group size, and ocean conditions (e.g., ocean swell size). After accounting for detection, we estimated a mean population size of 8593 individual sea otters (95% CI: 7450–9984) which is considerably higher than previous estimates, although comparisons are difficult given divergent methodologies. Sea otter group density was negatively related to ocean depth and the presence of rock and gravel as underwater substrates. Conversely, sea otter group density was positively related to the presence of kelp and mud as an underwater substrate. Our hierarchical distance sampling model accounted for the observation process which allowed better estimates of the environmental attributes affecting otter abundance. Our research can serve as a template for other study systems requiring spatially explicit density estimates from a distance sampling framework and can help provide a new baseline for managers to gauge future population changes in sea otters.
Enhancement of sensory and nutritional quality of Sel‐roti by the incorporation of soy flour
Authors: Thapa Magar Bipana , Katawal Surendra Bahadur , Niroula Anuj
Published: September 2021

Sel‐roti is a doughnut‐like deep‐fat fried, puffed, spongy, ring‐shaped, and fermented rice‐flour confectionary indigenous to Nepal. This study was aimed to enhance the sensory and nutritional quality of Sel‐roti by incorporating soy flour. The best product was selected by a series of sensory evaluations, and the nutritional quality was then compared with the control. Sel‐roti prepared by incorporating 10% of roasted soybean flour (RSF) had significantly superior (p < .05) sensory perceptions viz. color and appearance, texture, flavor, taste, and overall acceptance among the studied samples. The moisture, crude fat, crude protein, total ash, crude fiber, iron, calcium, and energy content in the best product were significantly increased (p < .05) by the incorporation of 10% RSF. However, total carbohydrates was significantly reduced (p < .05) at 10% RSF incorporation. The results can be used by food processors to formulate a batter for the production of Sel‐roti with enhanced sensory and nutritional properties.
Aberrant functional brain network dynamics in patients with functional constipation
Authors: Yin Tao , He Zhaoxuan , Ma Peihong , Sun Ruirui , Xie Kunnan , Liu Tianyu , Chen Li , Chen Jingwen , Hou Likai , Teng Yuke , Guo Yuyi , Tian Zilei , Xiong Jing , Wang Fumin , Li Shenghong , Yang Sha , Zeng Fang
Published: September 2021

The aberrant static functional connectivity of brain network has been widely investigated in patients with functional constipation (FCon). However, the dynamics of brain functional connectivity in FCon patients remained unknown. This study aimed to detect the brain dynamics of functional connectivity states and network topological organizations of FCon patients and investigate the correlations of the aberrant brain dynamics with symptom severity. Eighty‐three FCon patients and 80 healthy subjects (HS) were included in data analysis. The spatial group independent component analysis, sliding‐window approach, k‐means clustering, and graph‐theoretic analysis were applied to investigate the dynamic temporal properties and coupling patterns of functional connectivity states, as well as the time‐variation of network topological organizations in FCon patients. Four reoccurring functional connectivity states were identified in k‐means clustering analysis. Compared to HS, FCon patients manifested the lower occurrence rate and mean dwell time in the state with a complex connection between default mode network and cognitive control network, as well as the aberrant anterior insula–cortical coupling patterns in this state, which were significantly correlated with the symptom severity. The graph‐theoretic analysis demonstrated that FCon patients had higher sample entropy at the nodal efficiency of anterior insula than HS. The current findings provided dynamic perspectives for understanding the brain connectome of FCon and laid the foundation for the potential treatment of FCon based on brain connectomics.
α‐ and β‐Eliminations in Transition Metal Complexes: Strategies to Cleave Unstrained C−C and C−F Bonds
Authors: Karimzadeh‐Younjali Morteza , Wendt Ola F.
Published: September 2021

Oxidative addition is the standard process for single‐bond activation in transition metal catalysis and it is known to operate for many types of bonds, but challenging σ‐bonds e. g. C(sp3)−F and C(sp3)−C(sp3) bonds are the exceptions in this respect. This short review aims at demonstrating how both α‐ and β‐eliminations may be better options for activation of unstrained C−F and C−C single bonds. Selected examples of such eliminations are presented with a mechanistic focus indicating how unstrained and unactivated C−C and C−F bonds can be broken by employing α‐ and β‐eliminations in transition metal hydrocarbyl ligands. Our examples show that the reaction barrier in β‐eliminations is controlled by the s‐character of the participating bonds where a higher s‐character gives a better overlap in the multi‐center transition state thereby increasing the reactivity; still β‐aryl eliminations can compete with the classical β‐hydrogen eliminations in certain cases.
Thrombocytopenia in severe iron deficiency anemia in children
Authors: van den Akker Machiel , Chielens Laura , Lopes Lisa , van Heerden Jaques , Zaqout Mahmoud , van der Werf Ten Bosch Jutte
Published: September 2021

Aim

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is common in the pediatric population and often accompanied by mild thrombocytosis, but rarely profound thrombocytopenia is seen. We describe the data of children with IDA and thrombocytopenia in two centers and discuss the published data in the literature.

Methods

In this retrospective case series, the medical records of patients under the age of 19 years old diagnosed with IDA in two tertiary medical centers over the last 10 years, were reviewed. The data were collected and compared to the data published in the medical literature.

Results

All the patients presented with severe IDA and thrombocytopenia improved with iron treatment. Although none of the patients had signs of major bleeding, the thrombocytopenia could mostly be classified as severe (platelet count <50×10E9/L). Due to the severity of the anemia, in about half of the cases, a red blood cell transfusion was given. The peak of the platelet count was seen in the first month after the start of iron treatment. In eight cases of children with IDA, the thrombocytopenia appeared after the supplementation of iron was started.

Conclusion

Clinically stable children with severe IDA and thrombocytopenia, where other causes are very unlikely, warrant an empiric monotherapy with iron to prevent unnecessary investigations and treatments.
Valproate‐associated hair abnormalities: Pathophysiology and management strategies
Authors: Praharaj Samir Kumar , Munoli Ravindra N. , Udupa Suma T. , Vaidyanathan Sivapriya
Published: September 2021

Objective

To review the literature on valproate‐associated hair abnormalities and the available treatment options.

Methods

We searched PubMed and Google Scholar with keywords including “valproate”, “valproic acid”, “hair”, “alopecia”, and “effluvium,” supplemented with hand search from cross‐references. We included all types of studies including case reports in this review.

Results

The pathophysiology of hair loss includes telogen effluvium, biotin, mineral deficiency, and possibly hyperandrogenism. Diagnosis is based on history of hair loss or abnormalities following valproate treatment, and is confirmed by use of simple clinical tests such as pull test and modified wash test. Treatment involves reassurance and advice on hair care, and if possible drug discontinuation or dose reduction. Medications such as biotin and other vitamins with minerals supplementation is effective for most individuals with hair loss. Other treatment options are agomelatine, topical valproate or minoxidil, though these lack evidence.

Conclusion

Hair abnormalities with valproate are common, benign adverse effects, and management includes general measures and specific treatment options.
Characteristics of antipsychotic drug‐induced hypothermia in psychogeriatric inpatients
Authors: Kamp Daniel , Paschali Myrella , Bouanane Annabelle , Christl Julia , Supprian Tillmann , Meisenzahl‐Lechner Eva , Kojda Georg , Lange‐Asschenfeldt Christian
Published: September 2021

Objective

Hypothermia is a potentially lethal adverse reaction to typical and atypical antipsychotic drugs (APD). Among predisposing factors are advanced age and comorbid somatic diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of hypothermia and quantify risk factors.

Method

Charts of N = 3002 psychogeriatric inpatients were screened for incidence of hypothermia (body core temperature <35.0°C). The frequency of hypothermia was compared between patients treated with versus without APD and, within the sample of APD‐treated patients, for (1) specific APD, (2) sex, (3) main diagnosis, and (4) age.

Results

N = 54 cases (2.6%) of hypothermia occurred in APD‐treated patients and 12 cases (1.3%) in non‐APD‐treated patients (p = 0.024). In APD‐treated patients, only male sex (p = 0.038) and pipamperone were associated with a higher incidence of hypothermia (p = 0.0017). Whereas the main diagnosis delirium showed a trend to significance, age did not correlate with hypothermia.

Conclusion

Medication with pipamperone was associated with an increased risk of hypothermia. The advanced age of our sample might as well explain the high incidence of hypothermia within our sample and the failure to detect high age as a risk factor due to a ceiling effect.
Impairments of cerebral blood flow microcirculation in rats brought on by cardiac cessation and respiratory arrest
Authors: Piavchenko Gennadii , Kozlov Igor , Dremin Viktor , Stavtsev Dmitry , Seryogina Evgeniya , Kandurova Ksenia , Shupletsov Valery , Lapin Konstantin , Alekseyev Alexander , Kuznetsov Sergey , Bykov Alexander , Dunaev Andrey , Meglinski Igor
Published: September 2021

The impairments of cerebral blood flow microcirculation brought on by cardiac and respiratory arrest were assessed with multi‐modal diagnostic facilities, utilising laser speckle contrast imaging, fluorescence spectroscopy and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The results of laser speckle contrast imaging show a notable reduction of cerebral blood flow in small and medium size vessels during a few minutes of respiratory arrest, while the same effect was observed in large sinuses and their branches during the circulatory cessation. Concurrently, the redox ratio assessed with fluorescence spectroscopy indicates progressing hypoxia, NADH accumulation and increase of FAD consumption. The results of diffuse reflectance spectra measurements display a more rapid grow of the perfusion of deoxygenated blood in case of circulatory impairment. In addition, consequent histopathological analysis performed by using new tissue staining procedure developed in‐house. It shows notably higher reduction of size of the neurons due to their wrinkling within brain tissues influenced by circulation impair. Whereas, the brain tissues altered with the respiratory arrest demonstrate focal perivascular oedema and mild hypoxic changes of neuronal morphology. Thus, the study suggests that consequences of a cessation of cerebral blood flow become more dramatic and dangerous compare to respiratory arrest.
Metastasis associated long noncoding RNAs in glioblastoma: Biomarkers and therapeutic targets
Authors: Yadav Garima , Kulshreshtha Ritu
Published: September 2021

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive, malignant, and therapeutically challenging Grade IV tumor of the brain. Although the possibility of distant metastasis is extremely rare, GBM is known to cause intracranial metastasis forming aggressive secondary lesions resulting in a dismal prognosis. Metastasis also plays an important role in tumor dissemination and recurrence making GBM largely incurable. Recent studies have indicated the importance of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in GBM metastasis. lncRNAs are a class of regulatory noncoding RNAs (>200 nt) that interact with DNA, RNA, and proteins to regulate various biological processes. This is the first comprehensive review summarizing the lncRNAs associated with GBM metastasis and the underlying molecular mechanism involved in migration/invasion. We also highlight the complex network of lncRNA/miRNA/protein that collaborate/compete to regulate metastasis‐associated genes. Many of these lncRNAs also show attractive potential as diagnostic/prognostic biomarkers. Finally, we discuss various therapeutic strategies and potential applications of lncRNAs as therapeutic targets for the treatment of GBM.
Long‐term sevoflurane exposure reduces the differentiation potential and hypoxia tolerance potential of neural stem cells
Authors: Gao Wenbo , Bai Yunxiao , Ma Xiaofang , Bian Xiyun , Xu Jingman , Xue Na , Yu Tian , Liu Xiaozhi , Bai Yaowu , Chu Dongmei
Published: September 2021

Purpose

To investigate the effect of prolonged sevoflurane (SEV) exposure on differentiation potential and hypoxia tolerance of neural stem cells (NSCs).

Materials and methods

NSCs were extracted from 15‐day fetal mice. After sub‐culture, SEV exposure treatment was performed. Cell cycle were detected by flow cytometry. Western blot and immunofluorescence assay were used to detect the expression and spatial distribution of Nestin, NSE, GFAP, Oct4, and SOX2; CCK‐8 detected cell viability. Cell growth morphology was observed under a microscope. TUNEL detected cell apoptosis; the concentration of extracel‐lular lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was determined by ELISA.

Results

Compared with the control group, the proportion of NSCs in the G2/M phase increased in the SEV exposure group; our results also suggested the sphere‐formation rate decreased significantly, increased apoptosis and decreased cell viability. Besides, the level of LDH release increased.

Conclusion

Long‐term exposure to SEV (>8 h) promoted the premature differentiation of NSCs and reduced their pluripotency, reserves, and hypoxia tolerance. This study reveals the reasons underlying damage to the nervous system of young children induced by long‐term exposure to SEV from the perspective of CNS reserve cells.
Microscopic characterization of petiole anatomy of Asteraceous taxa of Western Himalaya‐Pakistan
Authors: Akhtar Anam , Ahmad Mushtaq , Mahmood Tariq , Khan Amir Muhammad , Arfan Muhammad , Abbas Qamar , Zafar Muhammad , Sultana Shazia , Batool Rabia , Fatima Anam , Khan Siraj , Aman Ullah Sher , Khan Amjad
Published: September 2021

Petiole anatomy of 15 species of family Asteraceae was examined which aimed to investigate petiolar anatomical structures for species level identification. Shandon Microtome was used for petiole histological preparations. Both qualitative and quantitative features were studied under microscope which showed significant variation in petiole, collenchyma, parenchyma shape/size, vascular bundles arrangement/size, and vessel elements quantity. Artemisia japonica Thunb., Cirsium vulgare (Savi) Ten., Myriactis nepalensis Less., Seriphidium brevifolium Ling & Y.R.Ling, Taraxacum officinale (L.) Weber ex F.H.Wigg., and Xanthium strumarium L. showed winged petioles. Maximum length and width of upper and lower epidermis was found in Tagetes erecta L. which is 23.05 ± 0.89 μm, 24.9 ± 1.257 μm length and 21.75 ± 1.38067 μm, 22.75 ± 0.467 μm width, respectively. Petioles of Parthenium hysterophorus L. was longest one with 9.85 ± 10.45 μm while A. japonica Thunb. showed highest number of vessel elements. Maximum size of vascular bundles was found in T. erecta L. with 5.05 ± 14.25 μm. Artemisia annua L., C. vulgare (Savi) Ten, Cyanthillium cinereum (L.) H.Rob., Helianthus annus L., M. nepalensis Less., P. hysterophorus L., Senecio chrysanthemoides DC. have trichomes while Tussilago farfara L. has highest number of vascular bundles. All species have angular collenchyma type except M. nepalensis Less., P. hysterophorus L., S. brevifolium Ling & Y.R.Ling, Tagetes minuta L., T. officinale L., S. chrysanthemoides DC., and T. farfara L. Cluster analysis implemented that distinct plant species in cluster. Petiolar anatomical structures and taxonomic key will helpful for distinguishing Asteraceous taxa at genus and species level. This taxonomic significant investigation will also provide baseline to taxonomists for other Asteraceae studies and phylogenetic research.
Phenotype and genotype of 197 British patients with McArdle disease: An observational single‐centre study
Authors: Pizzamiglio Chiara , Mahroo Omar A. , Khan Kamron N. , Patasin Maria , Quinlivan Rosaline
Published: September 2021

McArdle disease is caused by recessive mutations in PYGM gene. The condition is considered to cause a “pure” muscle phenotype with symptoms including exercise intolerance, inability to perform isometric activities, contracture, and acute rhabdomyolysis leading to acute renal failure. This is a retrospective observational study aiming to describe phenotypic and genotypic features of a large cohort of patients with McArdle disease between 2011 and 2019. Data relating to genotype and phenotype, including frequency of rhabdomyolysis, fixed muscle weakness, gout and comorbidities, inclusive of retinal disease (pattern retinal dystrophy) and thyroid disease, were collected. Data from 197 patients are presented. Seven previously unpublished PYGM mutations are described. Exercise intolerance (100%) and episodic rhabdomyolysis (75.6%) were the most common symptoms. Fixed muscle weakness was present in 82 (41.6%) subjects. Unexpectedly, ptosis was observed in 28 patients (14.2%). Hyperuricaemia was a common finding present in 88 subjects (44.7%), complicated by gout in 25% of cases. Thyroid dysfunction was described in 30 subjects (15.2%), and in 3 cases, papillary thyroid cancer was observed. Pattern retinal dystrophy was detected in 15 out of the 41 subjects that underwent an ophthalmic assessment (36.6%). In addition to fixed muscle weakness, ptosis was a relatively common finding. Surprisingly, dysfunction of thyroid and retinal abnormalities were relatively frequent comorbidities. Further studies are needed to better clarify this association, although our finding may have important implication for patient management.
The emerging therapeutic potential of extracellular vesicles in trauma
Authors: Alsaadi Nijmeh , Srinivasan Amudan J , Seshadri Anupamaa , Shiel Matthew , Neal Matthew D , Scott Melanie J
Published: September 2021

Traumatic injury is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, despite significant advances in treatments. Most deaths occur either very early, through massive head trauma/CNS injury or exsanguination (despite advances in transfusion medicine), or later after injury often through multiple organ failure and secondary infection. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are known to increase in the circulation after trauma and have been used to limited extent as diagnostic and prognostic markers. More intriguingly, EVs are now being investigated as both causes of pathologies post trauma, such as trauma-induced coagulopathy, and as potential treatments. In this review, we highlight what is currently known about the role and effects of EVs in various aspects of trauma, as well as exploring current literature from investigators who have begun to use EVs therapeutically to alter the physiology and pathology of traumatic insults. The potential effectiveness of using EVs therapeutically in trauma is supported by a large number of experimental studies, but there is still some way to go before we understand the complex effects of EVs in what is already a complex disease process.
One‐step leapfrog alternating direction implicit procedure for left‐handed material in open region problems with enhanced absorption
Authors: Wu Shihong , Su Feng , Liu Lining , Dong Yunyun , Chen Xiangguang
Published: September 2021

By incorporating higher order formulation and one‐step leapfrog alternating direction implicit (ADI) procedure, unconditionally stable perfectly matched layer implementation is proposed for terminating frequency‐dependent left‐handed material in finite‐difference time‐domain lattice. To be more specific, frequency‐dependent left‐handed material can be calculated by the piecewise linear recursive convolution method. The proposed scheme shows advantages of higher order formulation and one‐step leapfrog ADI procedure in terms of enhancing absorbing performance, improving computational efficiency and simulating open region problems. The effectiveness is demonstrated through the computational domain with dipole antenna model above the left‐handed material slab. From results, it can be concluded that the proposed formulation can obtain considerable absorption, outstanding efficiency, and improved entire performance. Meanwhile, the proposed scheme also keeps its stability when time step far exceeds the Courant‐Friedrich‐Levy condition.
Depth‐dependent strain distribution in AlGaN‐based deep ultraviolet light‐emitting diodes using surface‐plasmon‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Jung Gunwoo , Kim Kyuheon , Kim Jaesun , Sung Yujin , Kang Jae‐Sang , Moon Youngboo , Lim Seung‐Young , Song Jung‐Hoon
Published: September 2021

Ex situ depth‐dependent strain distribution in AlGaN‐based deep ultraviolet light‐emitting diodes (DUV LEDs) was investigated through surface‐plasmon‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy with an optimally truncated structure. In this study, the strain was selectively analyzed by an ex situ method as a function of the distance from the sapphire substrate followed by AlN relaxation layers. Experimental results for DUV LEDs with a complex structure showed that the strain was non‐uniformly distributed with the thickness and that the compressive strain tended to gradually decrease when the AlGaN layer or the AlN relaxation layer was grown from the substrate. We quantitatively determined the subtle changes in the additional strain caused by the lattice mismatch between the underlying layers subjected to the residual compressive strain.
Trophic mediation and ecosystem stability: An assessment using qualitative network models
Authors: Ward Delphi F. L. , Melbourne‐Thomas Jessica , Johnson Craig R. , Wotherspoon Simon J.
Published: September 2021

Nontrophic interactions can contribute to negative and positive feedbacks within a community, thus affecting likelihood of regime shifts; however, assessing the nature and importance of these effects in a network remains challenging, especially for pelagic ecosystems. Here, we present a qualitative modeling approach for assessing the importance of different effects and resultant feedbacks for community stability, using a Southern Ocean example. A potentially important positive feedback in the Southern Ocean ecosystem involves production of a chemical cue, dimethyl sulfide (DMS), by some phytoplankton. Production of DMS can promote phytoplankton growth by attracting predators of phytoplankton‐grazers, and nutrients released as feces from those predators help fertilize the water column. We explored how uncertainties in the nature of this feedback affect community stability in a set of small, community models. We found that stability varied substantially depending on how the community was modeled, but that the interactions most important for determining stability were consistent across all models. Model stability was sensitive to the strength of phytoplankton competition, controls on phytoplankton, DMS production and release, and predator attraction to DMS, suggesting that the community could be destabilized by perturbation affecting these interactions. Incorporating DMS‐mediated feedbacks into a larger Southern Ocean network had a moderate impact on stability characteristics and altered the trophic level at which the system would be most vulnerable to perturbation.
Vertical stratification of environmental DNA in the open ocean captures ecological patterns and behavior of deep‐sea fishes
Authors: Canals Oriol , Mendibil Iñaki , Santos María , Irigoien Xabier , Rodríguez‐Ezpeleta Naiara
Published: September 2021

Establishing the foundations for a sustainable use of deep‐sea resources relies on increasing knowledge on this inaccessible ecosystem, which is challenging with traditional methods. The analysis of environmental DNA (eDNA) emerges as an alternative, but it has been scarcely applied to deep‐sea fish. Here, we have analyzed the fish eDNA contained in oceanic vertical profile samples (up to 2000 m depth) collected throughout the continental slope of the Bay of Biscay. We detected 52 different fish species, of which 25 were classified as deep‐sea fish. We found an increase of deep‐sea fish richness and abundance with depth, and that eDNA reflects day–night community patterns and species‐specific vertical distributions that are consistent with the known diel migratory behavior of many mesopelagic fishes. These findings highlight the potential of eDNA to improve knowledge on the fish species inhabiting the dark ocean before this still pristine ecosystem is further exploited.
HOW SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE THRIVE IN A HYPER‐CONNECTED WORLD
Authors: Cross Rob
Published: September 2021

The author contends that with the explosion of workplace collaboration, the benefits have been accompanied by “significantly less time for focused individual work, thoughtful reflection and sound decision‐making.” This leads to stress, burnout, and unhappy organizations. “Network analysis,” he says, “enables leaders to map patterns of collaboration and information flow between people within their organizations. It provides a way of both visualizing group connectivity and quantitatively profiling network dimensions that relate to individual performance and well‐being.” His research reveals that part of what causes these problems can be the beliefs executives hold about collaboration and being more productive and helpful to others. These beliefs included, in the author’s words: (1) Identity and reputation triggers such as too great a desire to help, sense of fulfillment from accomplishment, desire to be influential or recognized for expertise, concern about being labeled a poor performer, teammate, or leader and need to be right and (2) anxiety and need for control triggers such as fear of losing control, need for closure, discomfort with ambiguity, and FOMO/Fear of Missing Out. He concludes with a checklist for effectiveness, including more streamlined emails and efficient use of email norms, and holding structured meetings focused on desired outcomes.
Synthesis of a Diapocynin Prodrug for Its Prolonged Release from Zwitterionic Biodegradable Nanoparticles
Authors: Auriemma Renato , Sponchioni Mattia , Capasso Palmiero Umberto , Manfredini Nicolò , Razavi Dinani Fatemeh Sadat , Moscatelli Davide
Published: September 2021

Today, neurodegenerative diseases are affecting more and more individuals. A typical therapeutic target to treat the progression of the symptoms related to these diseases is the proinflammatory microglia. Diapocynin, the dimeric version of apocynin, is often the drug of choice. However, suitable carriers for its controlled delivery are currently lacking in the clinics. In fact, its high hydrophilicity hampers the development of a formulation enabling its sustained release in a biological environment. In this work, the possibility of modifying diapocynin is explored in order to synthesize a prodrug that can be chemically incorporated into biodegradable zwitterionic polymer nanoparticles (NPs). These NPs are synthesized via combination of ring opening polymerization and reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization, allowing the incorporation of the desired number of diapocynin units into the carrier and thus to set the drug dosage a priori. The chemical binding of diapocynin avoids its premature release compared to its physical loading inside similar nanovectors. With this strategy, sustained diapocynin release can be achieved for more than 9 days, thus paving the way to a therapy with low number of repeated administrations.
Strain Sensor with Enhanced Sensitivity for Wearable Electronics Using an Over‐Balanced Planar Elastomer
Authors: Nie Meng , Wen Lei , Chen Shuning , Ai Lu , Shen Jingcheng , Zhao Yu‐na , Yin Kuibo , Dou Guangbin
Published: September 2021

Flexible sensor technologies have gained extensive interest in recent years owing to the increasing demands of wearable electronics. Here, the authors propose a flexible strain sensor with enhanced sensitivity by designing a new sensing approach for strain detection. The sensing approach uses an over‐balanced planar elastomer (OBPE) inspired by Kirigami‐like auxetic structure for stretchable sensing. The OBPE substrate is designed and fabricated with four polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) supporting beam embedded into Ecoflex elastomer to realize auxetic characteristics. The auxetic characteristics induce the sensing region of the sensor to expand in directions both along and orthogonally to the stretch loading. Consequently, the local disconnections of the electrically linked paths composed of multi‐wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in the sensing region are enhanced. Gauge factor of the OBPE strain sensor is improved up to 6 times higher than the typical strain sensor without OBPE architecture. Therefore, the enhanced sensor outputs the stronger electrical signals than the typical sensor in perceiving human motions. Moreover, the two‐step casting fabrication is a low‐cost process and suitable for large volume manufacturing. In addition, as this sensing method is independent of the constituent conductive materials, it has the potential to be further employed for developing other stretchable strain sensors.
Adaptive critic optimization to decentralized event‐triggered control of continuous‐time nonlinear interconnected systems
Authors: Huo Yu , Wang Ding , Qiao Junfei
Published: September 2021

In this article, a decentralized event‐triggered control (ETC) strategy is developed for nonlinear large‐scale systems subjects to matched interconnections. First, the large‐scale interconnected systems are transformed to several nominal isolated subsystems. Then, the optimal control problem of nominal isolated subsystems is solved via an event‐triggered method based on adaptive critic learning. Note that the ETC scheme is adopted to reduce the computational burden and communication resources. Moreover, a single network adaptive critic structure is constructed to approximate the optimal cost and the control policy. By employing a stabilizing term in the weight updating law of the critic neural network, there is no requirement for adopting initial admissible control in the proposed algorithm. Furthermore, we use the Lyapunov method to demonstrate that estimated weight vectors used in the critic networks are uniformly ultimately bounded. Finally, we provide an example to validate the proposed decentralized event‐triggered control strategy.
Poly(vinyl alcohol)/heteropolyacid nanocomposites as new materials for radiochromic dosimetry in radiation processing
Authors: Tretinnikov Oleg N. , Sushko Natalya I. , Protosovskaya Anastasia V. , Radkevich Artsiom V. , Pavalanski Eryk I.
Published: September 2021

Radiochromic films composed of polymer matrices and organic dyes are widely used for routine dosimetry purposes in operation of various radiation facilities—gamma and X‐ray‐irradiation, electron accelerators, and so on. However, the sensitivity of these films rapidly decreases at doses exceeding 30–50 kGy due to a saturation of their optical response, making them unsuitable for accurate dosimetry in radiation processing of polymers and composites where doses up to 200 kGy are typically employed. To overcome this limitation, the use of inorganic substances as the coloring agents of polymer‐based radiochromic films was proposed in this paper, specifically, heteropolyacidacid H3PW12O40 (tungstophosphoric acid) in the matrix of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA). Nanocomposite PVA/H3PW12O40 films were prepared by solution casting and their optical responses toward 60Co gamma radiation and beams of 6 MeV electrons for a dose range of 10–200 kGy were investigated. It was established that upon exposure to gamma rays and electron beams, the films turn blue and a broad absorption band at 750 nm appears in their spectra. Importantly, the radiation‐induced optical absorption increases in a linear fashion up to the dose of 150 kGy and only slightly deviates from linearity at 200 kGy. Moreover, it was found that the PVA/H3PW12O40 films have a long shelf life, are dose‐rate independent within a wide range, and color‐stable after irradiation. All these features make the nanocomposite PVA/H3PW12O40 films promising for use as routine dosimeters and dose labels in a much wider range of high doses as compared to radiochromic films based on organic dyes.
Characterization of κ‐carrageenan/methylcellulose/cellulose nanocrystal hydrogels for 3D bioprinting
Authors: Boonlai Wannisa , Tantishaiyakul Vimon , Hirun Namon
Published: September 2021

Bioinks composed of various concentrations of κ‐carrageenan (KC) and methylcellulose (MC) were investigated for extrusion‐based bioprinting. The physical property of the 0.3% w/w KC/7% w/w MC (0.3KC/7MC) hydrogel was successfully enhanced using ionic crosslinking with 0.1% w/w KCl (0.1KCl). Furthermore, various concentrations of cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) were incorporated into the 0.3KC/7MC/0.1KCl hydrogel to increase its mechanical performance. Shear thinning and thixotropic properties are important for extrusion‐based bioprinting. The presence of 2% w/w CNC (2CNC) and 4% w/w CNC (4CNC) in the hydrogels (0.3KC/7MC/0.1KCl/2CNC and 0.3KC/7MC/0.1KCl/4CNC) led to good thixotropic behavior. In addition, increasing CNC concentrations showed greater shear thinning behavior. Furthermore, 0.3KC/7MC/0.1KCl/4CNC exhibited better printability than 0.3KC/7MC/0.1KCl/2CNC. The compressive mechanical property was significantly higher in the presence of CNC with compressive stress at 30% strain for 0.3KC/7MC/0.1KCl, 0.3KC/7MC/0.1KCl/2CNC and 0.3KC/7MC/0.1KCl/4CNC of 6.43 ± 0.41, 20.03 ± 0.02 and 23.28 ± 0.01 kPa, respectively. A good cell viability (>90%) was obtained for the 3D bioprinted 0.3KC/7MC/0.1KCl/2CNC and 0.3KC/7MC/0.1KCl/4CNC constructs. The novel 0.3KC/7MC/0.1KCl/4CNC hydrogel showed good attributes for a promising 3D bioprinting material. © 2021 Society of Industrial Chemistry.
Existence and stability of azeotropes in the terminal model of multicomponent copolymerization
Authors: Christov Latchezar
Published: September 2021

A simple numerical algorithm for calculating the azeotropic composition of multicomponent copolymers (if such a composition exists) is presented. The method is based on regular Markov chains in the frame of the terminal model of irreversible chain propagation in chain‐growth copolymerization. It requires as few calculations as just solving two systems of linear equations. The stability of the azeotropic composition in a batch reactor is discussed. A numerical procedure that can distinguish between a stable and an unstable azeotropic composition is proposed. © 2021 Society of Industrial Chemistry.
Posttranscriptional regulation of cellulose synthase genes by small RNAs derived from cellulose synthase antisense transcripts
Authors: Nething Daniel B. , Sukul Abhijit , Mishler‐Elmore John W. , Held Michael A.
Published: September 2021

Transcriptional regulatory mechanisms governing plant cell wall biosynthesis are incomplete. Expression programs that activate wall biosynthesis are well understood, but mechanisms that control the attenuation of gene expression networks remain elusive. Previous work has shown that small RNAs (sRNAs) derived from the HvCESA6 (Hordeum vulgare, Hv) antisense transcripts are naturally produced and are capable of regulating aspects of wall biosynthesis. Here, we further test the hypothesis that CESA‐derived sRNAs generated from CESA antisense transcripts are involved in the regulation of cellulose and broader cell wall biosynthesis. Antisense transcripts were detected for some but not all members of the CESA gene family in both barley and Brachypodium distachyon. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that antisense transcripts are detected for most primary cell wall CESA genes, suggesting a possible role in the transition from primary to secondary cell wall biosynthesis. Focusing on one antisense transcript, HvCESA1 shows dynamic expression throughout development, is correlated with corresponding sRNAs over the same period and is anticorrelated with HvCESA1 mRNA expression. To assess the broader impacts of CESA‐derived sRNAs on the regulation of cell wall biosynthesis, transcript profiling was performed on barley tissues overexpressing CESA‐derived sRNAs. Together, the data support the hypothesis that CESA antisense transcripts function through an RNA‐induced silencing mechanism, to degrade cis transcripts, and may also trigger trans‐acting silencing on related genes to alter the expression of cell wall gene networks.
Multiple severe late adverse effects after definitive chemoradiation for locally advanced cervical cancer
Authors: Danko Calida Marie , Hong Linda Jahwa , Slater Jerry Donald
Published: September 2021

Concurrent chemoradiation is the standard of care for locally advanced cervical cancer and is commonly associated with mild to moderate toxicities. Severe late complications in multiple organ systems in patients without known patient‐ or treatment‐related risk factors are rare. A 42‐year‐old woman was treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy with external beam radiotherapy and brachytherapy. She had complete resolution of the disease, with no evidence of recurrence. However, she experienced late morbidity in multiple organ systems due to treatment, likely indicating an increased sensitivity to radiation. This case highlights the need for improvements in the identification of such patients.
From plants to antimicrobials: Natural products against bacterial membranes
Authors: Nourbakhsh Fahimeh , Lotfalizadeh Marzieh , Badpeyma Mohaddeseh , Shakeri Abolfazl , Soheili Vahid
Published: September 2021

Bacterial membrane barrier provides a cytoplasmic environment for organelles of bacteria. The membrane is composed of lipid compounds containing phosphatide protein and a minimal amount of sugars, and is responsible for intercellular transfers of chemicals. Several antimicrobials have been found that affect bacterial cytoplasmic membranes. These compounds generally disrupt the organization of the membrane or perforate it. By destroying the membrane, the drugs can permeate and replace the effective macromolecules necessary for cell life. Furthermore, they can disrupt electrical gradients of the cells through impairment of the membrane integrity. In recent years, considering the spread of microbial resistance and the side effects of antibiotics, natural antimicrobial compounds have been studied by researchers extensively. These molecules are the best alternative for controlling bacterial infections and reducing drug resistance due to the lack of severe side effects, low cost of production, and biocompatibility. Better understanding of the natural compounds' mechanisms against bacteria provides improved strategies for antimicrobial therapies. In this review, natural products with antibacterial activities focusing on membrane damaging mechanisms were described. However, further high‐quality research studies are needed to confirm the clinical efficacy of these natural products.