bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A new photoactivable NO‐releasing {Ru−NO}6 ruthenium nitrosyl complex with a tetradentate ligand containing aniline and pyridine moieties
Authors: Cho Jang‐Hoon , Kim Minyoung , You Youngmin , Lee Hong‐In
Published: December 2021

A new type of photoactivable NO‐releasing ruthenium nitrosyl complex, [Ru(EPBP)Cl(NO)], with a tetradentate ligand, N,N’‐(ethane‐1,2‐diyldi‐o‐phenylene)‐bis(pyridine‐2‐carboxamide) (= H2EPBP) was synthesized. Single crystal X‐ray crystallography revealed that the complex has a distorted octahedral coordination geometry and NO is positioned at cis to Cl− ion. NO‐photolysis was observed under a white room light. The photodissociation of Ru−NO bond was identified by various techniques including X‐ray crystallography, IR, UV/Vis absorption, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and NMR spectroscopies. Quantum yields for the NO‐photolysis of the complex in CH3OH, CHCl3, DMSO, CH3CN, and CH3NO2 were measured to be 0.19–0.36 with 400 (±5) nm excitation. Density functional theory (DFT) and time‐dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) calculations were performed to understand the details of the photodissociation of the complex. The calculations suggest that the NO photolysis is most likely initiated by the electronic transition from the aniline moiety π MOs (π (aniline)) of the EPBP2− chelating ligand to the π‐antibonding MO of Ru−NO (π*(Ru−NO)). Experimental and theoretical investigations indicate that the EPBP2− ligand provides an effective platform forming ruthenium nitrosyl complexes useful for NO‐photoreleasing.
Oxygen Vacancies Enhanced NiCo2O4 Nanoarrays on Carbon Cloth as Cathode for Flexible Supercapacitors with Excellent Cycling Stability
Authors: Cai Dongming , Cao Qinghe , Du Junjie , Liu Yang , Bu Fan , Yan Yonghui , Lu Xinhuan , Xia Qinghua , Zhou Dan , Xia Yongde
Published: December 2021

Defect engineering such as oxygen vacancy in heterostructured electrode materials has emerged as a promising strategy to improve material performance in energy storage and conversion fields. The most common methods to introduce oxygen vacancies in energy materials usually involve high temperature treatment or strong reducing agents. In this work, we adopted a mild solvothermal treatment method to introduce oxygen vacancies into NiCo2O4 (Vo‐NiCo2O4) nanoarrays. Owing to the increased oxygen vacancies and the improved surface area, the as‐prepared Vo‐NiCo2O4 on carbon cloth (Vo‐NiCo2O4@CC) shows a high specific capacitance of 1389 mF cm−2 under the current density of 0.5 mA cm−2, and a remarkable capacitance retention of 93.8 % after 10000 cycles when used as cathode for supercapacitor. Moreover, an aqueous asymmetric supercapacitor was assembled using Vo‐NiCo2O4@CC as cathode and AC@CC as anode and this device delivers a high energy density of 43.6 Wh kg−1 at a power density of 281 W kg−1. In addition, the as‐assembled quasi‐solid state asymmetric supercapacitor exhibits excellent mechanical flexibility and functions well while being bent at large angles or being twisted. This work offers a facile, cost‐effective and practical available approach to finely tune the surface property of electrode materials towards flexible energy storage devices for wearable applications.
Full‐Range Redox Mediation on Sulfur Redox Kinetics for High‐Performance Lithium‐Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Peng Yan‐Qi , Zhao Meng , Chen Zi‐Xian , Cheng Qian , Liu Yiran , Zhao Chang‐Xin , Ma Xinzhi , Li Bo‐Quan , Chen Cheng‐Meng , Huang Jia‐Qi , Zhang Qiang
Published: December 2021

Lithium‐sulfur (Li−S) battery is considered as a promising energy storage system because of its high theoretical energy density of 2600 Wh kg−1, whose practical performance is limited by the sluggish sulfur redox kinetics. Homogeneous redox mediators (RMs) are effective promotors to propel the sulfur redox kinetics. However, most of the RMs only focus on a single reaction process. Herein, a strategy of mixed redox mediators (mixed‐RM) is proposed for full‐range redox mediation on the sulfur redox kinetics in working Li−S batteries. Concretely, one of the mixed‐RM mainly mediates the liquid‐solid reduction from polysulfides (LiPSs) to Li2S during discharge, while the other aims to promote the solid‐liquid conversion from Li2S to LiPSs and the liquid‐solid conversion from LiPSs to S8 during charge. Consequently, 2.5 Ah Li−S pouch cells with the mixed‐RM achieve an actual initial energy density of 354 Wh kg−1 alongside stable 20 cycles. This work provides an effective strategy on promoting the sulfur redox kinetics for high‐energy‐density Li−S batteries and inspires rational combination of novel functional molecules for practical energy storage systems.
High‐fat‐induced nonalcoholic fatty liver potentiates vulnerability to and the severity of viral hepatitis in a C3H/HeN mouse model
Authors: Wu Ting , Hu Junjian , Wang Xiaojing , Luo Xiaoping , Wang Hongwu , Ning Qin
Published: December 2021

Although the concomitance of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and viral hepatitis is soaring, there is not much knowledge about the impact of NAFLD on viral hepatitis. Here, we aimed to investigate how NAFLD influences the pathogenesis of viral hepatitis. Wild‐type C3H/HeN mice with NAFLD induced by high‐fat diet were infected with murine hepatitis virus 3 (MHV‐3) and sacrificed at Days 4, 8, 12, and 16 post infection. Although there was no difference in the survival rate between mice with and without NAFLD, individuals with steatosis suffered more severe and prolonged liver injury demonstrated by transaminases and histology examination. The intrahepatic viral load was higher in NAFLD group during early infection, although it declined ultimately. On the contrary, the serum antiviral antibody titer remained in a lower level in mice with NAFLD throughout the investigation. In NAFLD group, the production of proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin 1β, interleukin 6, and interleukin 17A) and the frequencies of antiviral immune cells (NKG2D+ NK cells and CD69+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes [CTLs]) were profoundly increased. Parallelly, the production of anti‐inflammatory cytokine (interleukin 10) and inhibitory checkpoint expression (NKG2A on NK cells and programmed cell death‐1 on CTLs) were also significantly elevated to maintain homeostasis. However, the upregulation of interleukin 22, a protective cytokine was deficient in NAFLD group post MHV‐3 infection. Conclusively, hepatic lipid metabolic abnormalities disturb antiviral immunity and increase the vulnerability to and severity of viral hepatitis.
Introduction of COVID‐19 knowledge via film teaching method
Authors: Liang Boying , Shen Jie
Published: December 2021

The outbreak of the COVID‐19 has provided new challenges and also opportunities for the development of online education. Based on our experience from the online education after the outbreak of the COVID‐19, this article proposes to introduce COVID‐19 knowledge through film teaching methods. Films can stimulate students' interest in learning and improve the teaching efficiency of online education with its rich storylines, high‐quality pictures, interesting, and entertaining nature. Teachers can carry out online teaching with the aid of films through four key steps: determining the key points of the teaching content, choosing matching films, setting up topic‐related questions, and communicating and discussing after watching the film.
Use of FLOSEAL® as a scaffold and its impact on induced neural stem cell phenotype, persistence, and efficacy
Authors: Bomba Hunter N. , Carey‐Ewend Abigail , Sheets Kevin T. , Valdivia Alain , Goetz Morgan , Findlay Ingrid A. , Mercer‐Smith Alison , Kass Lauren E. , Khagi Simon , Hingtgen Shawn D.
Published: December 2021

Induced neural stem cells (iNSCs) have emerged as a promising therapeutic platform for glioblastoma (GBM). iNSCs have the innate ability to home to tumor foci, making them ideal carriers for antitumor payloads. However, the in vivo persistence of iNSCs limits their therapeutic potential. We hypothesized that by encapsulating iNSCs in the FDA‐approved, hemostatic matrix FLOSEAL®, we could increase their persistence and, as a result, therapeutic durability. Encapsulated iNSCs persisted for 95 days, whereas iNSCs injected into the brain parenchyma persisted only 2 weeks in mice. Two orthotopic GBM tumor models were used to test the efficacy of encapsulated iNSCs. In the GBM8 tumor model, mice that received therapeutic iNSCs encapsulated in FLOSEAL® survived 30 to 60 days longer than mice that received nonencapsulated cells. However, the U87 tumor model showed no significant differences in survival between these two groups, likely due to the more solid and dense nature of the tumor. Interestingly, the interaction of iNSCs with FLOSEAL® appears to downregulate some markers of proliferation, anti‐apoptosis, migration, and therapy which could also play a role in treatment efficacy and durability. Our results demonstrate that while FLOSEAL® significantly improves iNSC persistence, this alone is insufficient to enhance therapeutic durability.
Cloud‐based virtual simulation system of wave motion characteristics
Authors: Shen Chao , Zhang Bin , Yan Shenglin , Fu Xiaoli
Published: December 2021

The traditional wave motion characteristic experiment has some problems, such as the loose connection between theory and experimental teaching, limitations of the experiment due to its site and time, and poor sense of participation and interaction. Focusing on the above problems, a virtual simulation experiment system for wave motion characteristics is designed and developed. The system uses virtual reality technology, cloud platform technology, and wave simulation technology. Taking the real laboratory as the prototype, the scene structure, instrument function, and water movement are simulated with high precision. The multimode fusion teaching method has expanded the experimental content, enriched the micro‐observation function and data collection categories, enhanced the interaction of the experimental process, and created a high‐quality immersive online teaching experience for the students. Since its inception, the experiment system has served six cycles of instruction and obtained good feedback from the teachers and students. During the period of the pandemic, it provides great support to experimental teaching and serves as a good supplement to the existing teaching system. Adhering to the “student‐centered” teaching principle, the teaching team will improve the experimental system constantly, cultivate the students' independent thinking and innovation abilities, help the students with their own personalized development, and contribute to the training of excellent engineers.
Prognosis of high‐risk human papillomavirus‐related cervical lesions: A hidden Markov model analysis of a single‐center cohort in Japan
Authors: Ikesu Ryo , Taguchi Ayumi , Hara Konan , Kawana Kei , Tsuruga Tetsushi , Tomio Jun , Osuga Yutaka
Published: December 2021

Introduction

Previous studies have shown that individuals with human papillomavirus (HPV)‐related cervical lesions have different prognoses according to the HPV genotype. However, these studies failed to account for possible diagnostic misclassification. In this retrospective cohort study, we aimed to clarify the natural course of cervical lesions according to HPV genotype to account for any diagnostic misclassification.

Materials and Methods

Our cohort included 729 patients classified as having cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). HPV was genotyped in all patients, who were followed up or treated for cervical lesions at the University of Tokyo Hospital from October 1, 2008 to March 31, 2015. Hidden Markov models were applied to estimate the diagnostic misclassification probabilities of the current diagnostic practice (histology and cytology) and the transitions between true states. We then simulated two‐year transition probabilities between true cervical states according to HPV genotype.

Results

Compared with lesions in patients with other HPV genotypes, lesions in HPV 16‐positive patients were estimated to be more likely to increase in severity (i.e., CIN3/cancer); over 2 years, 17.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 9.3%–29.3%) and 27.8% (95% CI, 16.6%–43.5%) of those with HPV 16 progressed to CIN3/cancer from the true states of CIN1 and CIN2, respectively, whereas 55%–70% of CIN1/2 patients infected with HPV 52/58 remained in the CIN1/2 category. Misclassification was estimated to occur at a rate of 3%–38% in the current diagnostic practice.

Conclusion

This study contributes robust evidence to current literature on cervical lesion prognosis according to HPV genotype and quantifies the diagnostic misclassification of true cervical lesions.
Bestimmung der Prozessparameter von Zerkleinerungsprozessen für dämmstoffhaltige Kompositmaterialien
Authors: Fehn Thomas , Elsner Martin P. , Schweppe Rainer , Teipel Ulrich
Published: December 2021

Ein wesentlicher Aspekt in der Aufbereitungstechnik ist der Zerkleinerungsprozess, der auch einen der energieaufwendigsten Prozessschritte darstellt. Durch mangelnde Aufbereitungstechnologien zur selektiven Zerkleinerung von dämmstoffhaltigen Kompositmaterialien wie Wärmedämmverbundsystemen (WDVS) geht aktuell ein erhebliches Ressourceneffizienzpotenzial verloren. Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit wurden WDVS mit unterschiedlichen Dämmstoffmaterialien zerkleinert und der Einfluss von relevanten Prozessparametern sowie die in den Mühlen vorherrschende Beanspruchungsart am Komposit untersucht und ein erstes Zerkleinerungsmodell erstellt. Durch die Methode der dynamischen Bildanalyse konnten die individuellen Zerkleinerungsprodukte charakterisiert und somit der Prozess quantifiziert werden.
Development of robust Özkale–Kaçiranlar and Yang–Chang estimators for regression models in the presence of multicollinearity and outliers
Authors: Awwad Fuad A. , Dawoud Issam , Abonazel Mohamed R.
Published: December 2021

The ordinary least‐squares estimator is commonly used to estimate the parameters of a linear regression model but gives unreliable and unfavorable results when two problems occur together: multicollinearity and outliers. This article proposes two different robust estimators of the regression parameters to cope with these problems together. The proposed estimators are a robust version of the Özkale–Kaçiranlar and Yang–Chang estimators. Theoretical calculations, numerical simulations, and real‐life data on manufacturing production are presented to demonstrate the superiority of the proposed robust estimators to existing estimators at dealing with multicollinearity and outliers at the same time.
Determination of the Activation Energies of Phase Transition for Calcium Orthophosphates Based on Powder X‐Ray Diffraction Data
Authors: Vasylenko Kateryna , Sakhno Yuriy , Jaisi Deb , Nikolenko Mykola
Published: December 2021

Kinetic studies of the transformation of calcium orthophosphates metastable precipitates are performed under different synthesis conditions. The phase composition and degree of crystallinity are investigated by X‐ray powder diffraction analysis. In acidic solution, precipitates of CaHPO 4 . 2H 2 O (DCPD) and CaHPO 4 (DCPA) are formed at the early stage of precipitation, with the degree of crystallinity at the range of 17–35%. Specifically, DCPD precipitates at 30 °C and anhydrous DCPA at 50 °C. In alkaline solution (pH 8–10), only amorphous forms of calcium orthophosphate are precipitated, which is explained by the high degree of supersaturation. The effect of pH on the composition of precipitates is illustrated by the solubility isotherms of pure calcium orthophosphates.  It is determined the activation energy of phase transformation of calcium orthophosphate from X‐ray powder diffraction patterns. Based on this relationship developed, the activation energies for the recrystallization DCPD and DCPA are 10.2 and 13.1 kJ mol−1, respectively, and for the phase transition of DCPD to DCPA – 36.7 kJ mol−1. Further recrystallization to most thermodynamically stable hydroxyapatite occurs at the activation energy of 5.2 kJ mol−1. These findings are critical to the phase transition and transformation of calcium phosphate minerals.
Genetic characterization of agronomic traits and grain threshability for organic naked barley in the northern United States
Authors: Massman Chris , Meints Brigid , Hernandez Javier , Kunze Karl , Hayes Patrick M. , Sorrells Mark E. , Smith Kevin P. , Dawson Julie C. , Gutierrez Lucia
Published: December 2021

Naked barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) grain threshes freely from its hull during harvesting and cleaning. Much of the available naked barley germplasm is unadapted to U.S. barley growing regions, and few genotypes have been selected to thrive under organic systems. The goal of this research was to characterize a set of spring naked barley genotypes for agronomic traits in the northern United States under organic conditions and estimate the degree of genotype × environment interaction (GEI). To achieve this goal, a multienvironment trial was conducted over 3 yr. Experiments were grown under organic conditions where traits including grain yield, test weight, plant height, heading date, and threshability were evaluated. Contributions of environment, genotype, and GEI to the phenotypic variance were calculated. In the tested germplasm, test weight, plant height, heading date, and threshability were found to have higher variance attributed to genotypic effects compared to GEI. Grain yield variance attributed to GEI was five times greater than that of genotype alone. Genotype + GEI (GGE) and location‐grouping (LG) biplots showed two sets of environments where naked barley genotypes performed similarly. Sensitivity analysis by Finlay–Wilkinson regression found that grain yield was highly sensitive to changes in environment mean yield. These results show that selection for grain yield should be conducted within mega‐environments to leverage GEI patterns. Heading date, plant height, test weight, and threshability can be selected across mega‐environments.
Effect of drought on wheat production in Poland between 1961 and 2019
Authors: Oleksiak Tadeusz , Spyroglou Ioannis , Pacoń Darmara , Matysik Przemysław , Pernisová Markéta , Rybka Krystyna
Published: December 2021

The impact of drought on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production is shown, using an example data set of almost 60 yr from six climate‐specific regions in Poland. Drought was measured using the standardized precipitation index (SPI) and the hydro‐thermal coefficient of Selyaninov (HTC). Yield trends were estimated by Bayesian linear regression over two periods, 1961–1991 and 1992–2019, identified by a changepoint detection method. Bayesian inference is used as it allows the estimation of a credible interval of regression coefficients instead of point estimates and asymptotic confidence intervals, thus comparisons between regression coefficients are more meaningful. We detected an increase in yield in both time periods and in all regions. The average winter wheat yield increased by 97% in the first period and by 35% in the second (19.8–39.1 dt ha−1 and 32.9–44.5 dt ha−1, respectively). Spring wheat yield increased by 96% in the first period and by 42% in the second (16.8–37.9 and 22.9–32.5 dt ha−1, respectively). Yield losses in drought years were estimated using the paired t test to compare mean difference between real yields and yields estimated from regression lines for nondrought years. The highest yield losses due to drought were in regions I (–19.3% spring wheats, –6.3% winter ones) and III (–16.1% spring and –8.3% winter wheats) over the 1992–2019 period.
A trait‐based framework for predicting foodborne pathogen risk from wild birds
Authors: Smith Olivia M. , Olimpi Elissa M. , Navarro‐Gonzalez Nora , Cornell Kevin A. , Frishkoff Luke O. , Northfield Tobin D. , Bowles Timothy M. , Edworthy Max , Eilers Johnna , Fu Zhen , Garcia Karina , Gonthier David J. , Jones Matthew S. , Kennedy Christina M. , Latimer Christopher E. , Owen Jeb P. , Sato Chika , Taylor Joseph M. , Wilson‐Rankin Erin E. , Snyder William E. , Karp Daniel S.
Published: December 2021

Recent foodborne illness outbreaks have heightened pressures on growers to deter wildlife from farms, jeopardizing conservation efforts. However, it remains unclear which species, particularly birds, pose the greatest risk to food safety. Using >11,000 pathogen tests and 1565 bird surveys covering 139 bird species from across the western United States, we examined the importance of 11 traits in mediating wild bird risk to food safety. We tested whether traits associated with pathogen exposure (e.g., habitat associations, movement, and foraging strategy) and pace‐of‐life (clutch size and generation length) mediated foodborne pathogen prevalence and proclivities to enter farm fields and defecate on crops. Campylobacter spp. were the most prevalent enteric pathogen (8.0%), while Salmonella and Shiga‐toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC) were rare (0.46% and 0.22% prevalence, respectively). We found that several traits related to pathogen exposure predicted pathogen prevalence. Specifically, Campylobacter and STEC‐associated virulence genes were more often detected in species associated with cattle feedlots and bird feeders, respectively. Campylobacter was also more prevalent in species that consumed plants and had longer generation lengths. We found that species associated with feedlots were more likely to enter fields and defecate on crops. Our results indicated that canopy‐foraging insectivores were less likely to deposit foodborne pathogens on crops, suggesting growers may be able to promote pest‐eating birds and birds of conservation concern (e.g., via nest boxes) without necessarily compromising food safety. As such, promoting insectivorous birds may represent a win‐win‐win for bird conservation, crop production, and food safety. Collectively, our results suggest that separating crop production from livestock farming may be the best way to lower food safety risks from birds. More broadly, our trait‐based framework suggests a path forward for co‐managing wildlife conservation and food safety risks in farmlands by providing a strategy for holistically evaluating the food safety risks of wild animals, including under‐studied species.
Predicting the growth of the amphibian chytrid fungus in varying temperature environments
Authors: Gajewski Zachary , Stevenson Lisa A. , Pike David A. , Roznik Elizabeth A. , Alford Ross A. , Johnson Leah R.
Published: December 2021

Environmental temperature is a crucial abiotic factor that influences the success of ectothermic organisms, including hosts and pathogens in disease systems. One example is the amphibian chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), which has led to widespread amphibian population declines. Understanding its thermal ecology is essential to effectively predict outbreaks. Studies that examine the impact of temperature on hosts and pathogens often do so in controlled constant temperatures. Although varying temperature experiments are becoming increasingly common, it is unrealistic to test every temperature scenario. Thus, reliable methods that use constant temperature data to predict performance in varying temperatures are needed. In this study, we tested whether we could accurately predict Bd growth in three varying temperature regimes, using a Bayesian hierarchical model fit with constant temperature Bd growth data. We fit the Bayesian hierarchical model five times, each time changing the thermal performance curve (TPC) used to constrain the logistic growth rate to determine how TPCs influence the predictions. We then validated the model predictions using Bd growth data collected from the three tested varying temperature regimes. Although all TPCs overpredicted Bd growth in the varying temperature regimes, some functional forms performed better than others. Varying temperature impacts on disease systems are still not well understood and improving our understanding and methodologies to predict these effects could provide insights into disease systems and help conservation efforts.
A comprehensive phylogeography of the widespread pond snail genus Radix revealed restricted colonization due to niche conservatism
Authors: Saito Takumi , Hirano Takahiro , Ye Bin , Prozorova Larisa , Shovon Mohammad Shariar , Do Tu Van , Kimura Kazuki , Surenkhorloo Purevdorj , Kameda Yuichi , Morii Yuta , Fukuda Hiroshi , Chiba Satoshi
Published: December 2021

To clarify the effect of niche conservatism on evolutionary history, we focused on freshwater snails, which have different ecological and phylogenetic properties from previously tested taxa. We conducted a phylogenetic analysis using 750 lymnaeid individuals from 357 sites of eleven Radix species. Then, we estimated the ancestral distribution using the geographic coordinates and colonization routes. In addition, a statistical test of the colonization distances in the latitudinal and longitudinal directions was performed. We also conducted ecological niche modeling for two widely distributed species using climatic data. Ancestral geographic reconstruction estimated the origin of the genus to be around the Indian subcontinental region and showed that latitudinal immigration distances were shorter than longitudinal immigration distances in the diversification process. Ecological niche models suggested that the current distribution was restricted by climate, with annual mean temperature and precipitation of the driest month as particularly strong factors. Niche conservatism to the climate can affect the diversification of freshwater snails.
Trophic markers and biometric measurements in Southern Ocean sea stars (1985–2017)
Authors: Moreau Camille , Le Bourg Baptiste , Balazy Piotr , Danis Bruno , Eléaume Marc , Jossart Quentin , Kuklinski Piotr , Lepoint Gilles , Saucède Thomas , Van de Putte Anton , Michel Loïc N.
Published: December 2021

Sea stars (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) are a key component of Southern Ocean benthos, with 16% of the known sea star species living there. In temperate marine environments, sea stars commonly play an important role in food webs, acting as keystone species. However, trophic ecology and functional role of Southern Ocean sea stars are still poorly known, notably due to the scarcity of large‐scale studies. Here, we report 24,332 trophic marker (stable isotopes and elemental contents of C, N, and S of tegument and/or tube feet) and biometric (arm length, disk radius, arm to disk ratio) measurements in 2,456 specimens of sea stars. Samples were collected between 12 January 1985 and 8 October 2017 in numerous locations along the Antarctic littoral and subantarctic islands. The spatial scope of the data set covers a significant portion of the Southern Ocean (47.717° S to 86.273° S; 127.767° W to 162.201° E; depth, 6–5,338 m). The data set contains 133 distinct taxa, including 72 currently accepted species spanning 51 genera, 20 families, and multiple feeding guilds/functional groups (suspension feeders, sediment feeders, omnivores, predators of mobile or sessile prey). For 505 specimens, mitochondrial CO1 genes were sequenced to confirm and/or refine taxonomic identifications, and those sequences are already publicly available through the Barcode of Life Data System. This number will grow in the future, as molecular analyses are still in progress. Overall, thanks to its large taxonomic, spatial, and temporal extent, as well as its integrative nature (combining genetic, morphological, and ecological data), this data set can be of wide interest to Southern Ocean ecologists, invertebrate zoologists, benthic ecologists, and environmental managers dealing with associated areas. Please cite this data paper in research products derived from the data set, which is freely available without copyright restrictions.
The demographic causes of population change vary across four decades in a long‐lived shorebird
Authors: Allen Andrew M. , Jongejans Eelke , van de Pol Martijn , Ens Bruno J. , Frauendorf Magali , van der Sluijs Martijn , de Kroon Hans
Published: December 2021

Understanding which factors cause populations to decline begins with identifying which parts of the life cycle, and which vital rates, have changed over time. However, in a world where humans are altering the environment both rapidly and in different ways, the demographic causes of decline likely vary over time. Identifying temporal variation in demographic causes of decline is crucial to assure that conservation actions target current and not past threats. However, this has rarely been studied as it requires long time series. Here we investigate how the demography of a long‐lived shorebird (the Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus) has changed in the past four decades, resulting in a shift from stable dynamics to strong declines (−9% per year), and recently back to a modest decline. Since individuals of this species are likely to respond differently to environmental change, we captured individual heterogeneity through three state variables: age, breeding status, and lay date (using integral projection models). Timing of egg‐laying explained significant levels of variation in reproduction, with a parabolic relationship of maximal productivity near the average lay date. Reproduction explained most variation in population growth rates, largely due to poor nest success and hatchling survival. However, the demographic causes of decline have also been in flux over the last three decades: hatchling survival was low in the 2000s but improved in the 2010s, while adult survival declined in the 2000s and remains low today. Overall, the joint action of several key demographic variables explain the decline of the oystercatcher, and improvements in a single vital rate cannot halt the decline. Conservations actions will thus need to address threats occurring at different stages of the oystercatcher's life cycle. The dynamic nature of the threat landscape is further supported by the finding that the average individual no longer has the highest performance in the population, and emphasizes how individual heterogeneity in vital rates can play an important role in modulating population growth rates. Our results indicate that understanding population decline in the current era requires disentangling demographic mechanisms, individual variability, and their changes over time.
The experience of blood glucose monitoring in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)
Authors: Stedman Mike , Rea Rustam , Duff Christopher J. , Livingston Mark , McLoughlin Katie , Wong Louise , Brown Stephen , Grady Katherine , Gadsby Roger , Gibson John M. , Paisley Angela , Fryer Anthony A. , Heald Adrian H.
Published: December 2021

Background

Finger prick blood glucose (BG) monitoring remains a mainstay of management in people with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) who take sulphonylurea (SU) drugs or insulin.

We recently examined patient experience of BG monitoring in people with type 1 diabetes (T1DM). There has not been any recent comprehensive assessment of the performance of BG monitoring strips or the patient experience of BG strips in people with T2DM in the UK.

Methods

An online self‐reported questionnaire containing 44 questions, prepared following consultation with clinicians and patients, was circulated to people with T2DM. 186 responders provided completed responses (25.5% return rate). Fixed responses were coded numerically (eg not confident = 0 fairly confident = 1).

Results

Of responders, 84% were treated with insulin in addition to other agents. 75% reported having had an HbA1c check in the previous 6 months.

For those with reported HbA1c ≥ 65 mmol/mol, a majority of people (70%) were concerned or really concerned about the shorter term consequences of running a high HbA1c This contrasted with those who did not know their recent HbA1c, of whom only 33% were concerned/really concerned and those with HbA1c <65 mmol/mol of whom 35% were concerned.

Regarding BG monitoring/insulin adjustment, only 25% of responders reported having sufficient information with 13% believing that the accuracy and precision of their BG metre was being independently checked. Only 9% recalled discussing BG metre accuracy when their latest metre was provided and only 7% were aware of the International Standardisation Organisation (ISO) standards for BG metres. 77% did not recall discussing BG metre performance with a healthcare professional.

Conclusion

The group surveyed comprised engaged people with T2DM but even within this group there was significant variation in (a) awareness of shorter term risks, (b) confidence in their ability to implement appropriate insulin dosage (c) awareness of the limitations of BG monitoring technology. There is clearly an area where changes in education/support would benefit many.
Expanding transboundary environmental governance: A mobile political ecology of sand and shifting resource‐based livelihoods in Southeast Asia
Authors: Lamb Vanessa , Fung Zali
Published: December 2021

Environmental change and governance operate across multiple, interconnected scales. In Southeast Asia, there are calls to broaden the study of transboundary environmental governance to address the range of scales, actors, and flows in analysis. In response, we propose a framework to move beyond statist framings of ‘transboundary’ in the region by drawing on van Schendel's proposal for flow studies on the one hand, to overcome the ‘geographies of ignorance’ that stem from fixed studies of nation‐states, and mobile political ecology on the other, to emphasise the role of resource users and their mobilities in environmental governance. We focus on transboundary sand and sediments in rivers, the rise in sand mining in the region, and its impacts on livelihoods and cross‐border flows. Research was conducted from 2015 to 2019 along the transboundary Salween River in the Myanmar‐Thai borderlands. This research shows that sand extraction not only impacts existing sand‐based livelihoods, like riverbank gardening, but also intersects with migration patterns. Migration here is being exacerbated by sand mining alongside processes of environmental and political‐economic change, but these intersections would be overlooked in a fixed or statist approach. We illustrate these complex changes by presenting two ‘sand stories’ that emerge from our research. This primary research combined with a novel conceptual framing expands our analysis of transboundary by revealing and highlighting the linkages between mobilities and transboundary resource flows. In doing so, our analysis brings people, livelihoods and mobilities to the centre of transboundary environment governance and opens scholarly and practice‐based discussions to the range of actors, scales and resource regimes involved.
Risk factors to mortality and causes of death in frontotemporal dementia: An Australian perspective
Authors: Loi Samantha M. , Tsoukra Paraskevi , Chen Zhibin , Wibawa Pierre , Eratne Dhamidhu , Kelso Wendy , Walterfang Mark , Velakoulis Dennis
Published: December 2021

Objectives

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a common cause of dementia in younger people. There is less information known about risk factors to mortality such as the type of symptom onset and cause of death in this group.

Method

This was a retrospective file review of inpatients with FTD admitted to a tertiary neuropsychiatry unit located in Australia from 1992 to 2014. Mortality information including linkage of names and causes of death were obtained from the Australian Institute Health and Welfare National Death Index.

Results

One hundred inpatients were diagnosed with FTD, including behavioural‐variant, language‐variant FTDs and FTD‐motor neuron disease (FTD‐MND). Mean age was 52.8 years (SD = 10, range 31–76 years). Sixty‐seven of them had died at linkage. Median survival of the sample was 10.5 years and FTD‐MND had the shortest survival, 3.5 years. Increasing age of onset and FTD‐MND were found to be significant predictors of association for mortality. Compared to the general population, having a FTD had an 8× increased risk of death. Females had double the standardised mortality ratio compared to males.

Discussion

This study provides important prognostic information for people diagnosed with FTD living in Australia. It highlights the importance of obtaining a definitive diagnosis as early as possible for future planning. More investigation into the relationship of symptom onset type and sex differences in FTD is required.
Prevalence of white matter pathways coming into a single white matter voxel orientation: The bottleneck issue in tractography
Authors: Schilling Kurt G. , Tax Chantal M. W. , Rheault Francois , Landman Bennett A. , Anderson Adam W. , Descoteaux Maxime , Petit Laurent
Published: December 2021

Characterizing and understanding the limitations of diffusion MRI fiber tractography is a prerequisite for methodological advances and innovations which will allow these techniques to accurately map the connections of the human brain. The so‐called “crossing fiber problem” has received tremendous attention and has continuously triggered the community to develop novel approaches for disentangling distinctly oriented fiber populations. Perhaps an even greater challenge occurs when multiple white matter bundles converge within a single voxel, or throughout a single brain region, and share the same parallel orientation, before diverging and continuing towards their final cortical or sub‐cortical terminations. These so‐called “bottleneck” regions contribute to the ill‐posed nature of the tractography process, and lead to both false positive and false negative estimated connections. Yet, as opposed to the extent of crossing fibers, a thorough characterization of bottleneck regions has not been performed. The aim of this study is to quantify the prevalence of bottleneck regions. To do this, we use diffusion tractography to segment known white matter bundles of the brain, and assign each bundle to voxels they pass through and to specific orientations within those voxels (i.e. fixels). We demonstrate that bottlenecks occur in greater than 50‐70% of fixels in the white matter of the human brain. We find that all projection, association, and commissural fibers contribute to, and are affected by, this phenomenon, and show that even regions traditionally considered “single fiber voxels” often contain multiple fiber populations. Together, this study shows that a majority of white matter presents bottlenecks for tractography which may lead to incorrect or erroneous estimates of brain connectivity or quantitative tractography (i.e., tractometry), and underscores the need for a paradigm shift in the process of tractography and bundle segmentation for studying the fiber pathways of the human brain.
Patients with chronic pain exhibit individually unique cortical signatures of pain encoding
Authors: Mayr Astrid , Jahn Pauline , Stankewitz Anne , Deak Bettina , Winkler Anderson , Witkovsky Viktor , Eren Ozan , Straube Andreas , Schulz Enrico
Published: December 2021

Chronic pain is characterised by an ongoing and fluctuating intensity over time. Here, we investigated how the trajectory of the patients' endogenous pain is encoded in the brain. In repeated functional MRI (fMRI) sessions, 20 patients with chronic back pain and 20 patients with chronic migraine were asked to continuously rate the intensity of their endogenous pain. Linear mixed effects models were used to disentangle cortical processes related to pain intensity and to pain intensity changes. At group level, we found that the intensity of pain in patients with chronic back pain is encoded in the anterior insular cortex, the frontal operculum, and the pons; the change of pain in chronic back pain and chronic migraine patients is mainly encoded in the anterior insular cortex. At the individual level, we identified a more complex picture where each patient exhibited their own signature of endogenous pain encoding. The diversity of the individual cortical signatures of chronic pain encoding results bridge between clinical observations and neuroimaging; they add to the understanding of chronic pain as a complex and multifaceted disease.
Comparative performance of the human papillomavirus test and cytology for primary screening for high‐grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia at the population level
Authors: Hurtado‐Salgado Erika , Cárdenas‐Cárdenas Luz , Salmerón Jorge , Luna‐Gordillo Rufino , Ortiz‐Panozo Eduardo , Allen‐Leigh Betania , Saavedra‐Lara Nenetzen , Franco Eduardo L. , Lazcano‐Ponce Eduardo
Published: December 2021

The World Health Organization recommends high‐risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV)‐based screening for women 39 to 49 years, based on the greater accuracy of hrHPV‐based screening for cervical cancer detection. Many cervical cancer screening programs have incorporated hrHPV testing and multiple early cervical cancer detection strategies have been evaluated, mostly under controlled conditions. However, there are few evaluations of combined hrHPV and cytology strategies post‐implementation at the population level. Our study sought to estimate the relative yield of hrHPV testing compared to cervical cytology, as a primary screening test for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2+ (CIN2+), used at the population level. We analyzed screening data from Mexico's public cervical cancer prevention program from 2010 to 2015 in women 35 to 64 years. The study population consisted of two cohorts: one from a total of 2 881 962 cytology‐based screening tests and another from a total of 2 004 497 hrHPV‐based screening tests, which are concurrent in time. We performed a relative yield analysis using Poisson regression models to compare the effectiveness of hrHPV testing for CIN2+ with cervical cytology. A total of 4 886 459 records were analyzed, including 23 999 biopsies; 0.12% (n = 6166) had a CIN2+ histologic diagnosis. hrHPV testing with cytological triage detects twice as many CIN2+ cases as screening using cytology alone.
Microenvironment and drug resistance in acute myeloid leukemia: Do we know enough?
Authors: Ganesan Saravanan , Mathews Vikram , Vyas Neha
Published: December 2021

Acute myeloid leukemia (AMLs), as the name suggests, often develop suddenly and are very progressive forms of cancer. Unlike in acute promyelocytic leukemia, a subtype of AML, the outcomes in most other AMLs remain poor. This is mainly attributed to the acquired drug resistance and lack of targeted therapy. Different studies across laboratories suggest that the cellular mechanisms to impart therapy resistance are often very dynamic and should be identified in a context‐specific manner. Our review highlights the progress made so far in identifying the different cellular mechanisms of mutation‐independent therapy resistance in AML. It reiterates that for more effective outcomes cancer therapies should acquire a more tailored approach where the protective interactions between the cancer cells and their niches are identified and targeted.
Ninety‐day mortality and clinical outcomes of patients with solid tumours and COVID‐19 infection during the first pandemic outbreak in Catalonia, Spain: A multicentre retrospective study
Authors: Tapia Jose Carlos , Gavira Javier , López Assumpció , Llobera Laia , Pallise Ona , Marsal Irene , Cochs Alba , Ponce Oscar J. , Riudavets Mariona , Gich Ignasi , Barnadas Agusti , Majem Margarita
Published: December 2021

To describe the clinical outcomes and risk factors for 90‐day mortality in patients with solid tumours (ST) and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) during the first outbreak in Catalonia. This is a multicentre retrospective study including adults with ST and COVID‐19 confirmed by real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction between 13 March and 30 April 2020. Clinical and survival data were collected. Follow‐up ended on 30 July 2020. Multivariate and survival analysis were performed. A hundred and fifteen patients were included. In all, 42.6% had advanced disease and were receiving anticancer treatment; 7% were admitted to the ICU and 22.6% died during hospitalisation. Thirty‐day mortality was 27.8%, which increased to 33.9% at 90 days. Ninety‐day mortality was associated with current smoker status (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.91, 95% CI [confidence interval]: 1.03‐8.33, P = .044), baseline ECOG‐PS 2 to 3 (HR: 3.88, 95% CI: 1.77‐8.46, P < .001]), dyspnoea (HR: 3.02, 95% CI: 1.31‐6.96, P = .009), a respiratory rate ≥ 24 (HR: 2.24, 95% CI: 1.02‐4.92, P = .046) and sepsis (HR: 3.97, 95% CI: 1.78‐8.88, P < .001). Of the 76 survivors, 73.6% had a follow‐up visit. Of those, 33.9% had their cancer controlled and 23.2% had progressed. Thirty‐five survivors were receiving anticancer treatment before COVID‐19 diagnosis though 14 had to discontinue the treatment. Eight survivors without previous anticancer therapy started therapy. The median time to start anticancer therapy after COVID‐19 was 45 days (interquartile range: 28‐61). In conclusion, 90‐day mortality in patients with ST and COVID‐19 was 33.9%; current smoker status, poor ECOG‐PS, dyspnoea, respiratory rate ≥24 and sepsis were independent risk factors for mortality; and survivors did not restart their anticancer treatment until 1.5 months after COVID‐19 diagnosis.
Favorable response to pembrolizumab in granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor‐producing upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma
Authors: Takeda Hiroki , Matsumoto Ryuji , Takakuwa Emi , Hori Kanta , Moriguchi Takuya , Yamada Shuhei , Kikuchi Hiroshi , Osawa Takahiro , Abe Takashige , Shinohara Nobuo
Published: December 2021

Introduction

Granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor‐producing upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma is rare, with a poor prognosis. Advanced urothelial carcinoma is currently treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors, whose efficacy for granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor‐producing upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma remains unclear.

Case presentation

A 66‐year‐old male diagnosed with clinical stage T3N1M0 urothelial carcinoma of the right ureter with giant hydronephrosis underwent right radical nephroureterectomy. Local recurrence, leukocytosis, and elevated serum granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor levels were observed approximately 3 months after surgery. Chemotherapy was started but failed to control the disease. Therefore, pembrolizumab was chosen as the second‐line treatment. After this treatment, the blood leukocyte count rapidly normalized, and a clinically favorable response was achieved. There was no recurrence 10 months after the beginning of pembrolizumab treatment, which is still ongoing.

Conclusion

Pembrolizumab may be a treatment option for advanced granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor‐producing upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma.