bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intense Molar Circular Dichroism in Fully Conjugated All‐Carbon Macrocyclic 1,3‐Butadiyne Linked pseudo‐meta [2.2]Paracyclophanes**
Authors: Sidler Eric , Zwick Patrick , Kress Charlotte , Reznikova Ksenia , Fuhr Olaf , Fenske Dieter , Mayor Marcel
Published: July 2022

The synthetic access to macrocyclic molecular topologies with interesting photophysical properties has greatly improved thanks to the successful implementation of organic and inorganic corner units. Based on recent reports, we realized that pseudo‐meta [2.2]paracyclophanes (PCPs) might serve as optimal corner units for constructing 3D functional materials, owing to their efficient electronic communication, angled substituents and planar chirality. Herein, we report the synthesis, characterization and optical properties of four novel all‐carbon enantiopure macrocycles bearing three to six pseudo‐meta PCPs linked by 1,3‐butadiyne units. The macrocycles were obtained by a single step from enantiopure, literature‐known dialkyne pseudo‐meta PCP and were unambiguously identified and characterized by state of the art spectroscopic methods and in part even by x‐ray crystallography. By comparing the optical properties to relevant reference compounds, it is shown that the pseudo‐meta PCP subunit effectively elongates the conjugated system throughout the macrocyclic backbone, such that already the smallest macrocycle consisting of only three subunits reaches a polymer‐like conjugation length. Additionally, it is shown that the chiral pseudo‐meta PCPs induce a remarkable chiroptical response in the respective macrocycles, reaching unprecedented high molar circular dichroism values for all‐carbon macrocycles of up to 1307 L mol−1 cm−1.
Phase equilibria of hydrates from ternary mixtures of methane + ethane + propane and methane + propane + carbon dioxide
Authors: Ovalle Sebastian , Martinez Camilo , Beltran Juan G.
Published: July 2022

Hydrate–liquid–vapour (HLV) equilibrium of aqueous clathrates formed from gas mixtures can be complex compared to hydrates formed with single guests. Typically, pressure and temperature are controlled to obtain these data, but for multicomponent systems, it is necessary to control/report more intensive variables, namely, composition. Metastability, manifested as impractically long experimental times, has been reported to be a challenge with some multicomponent systems. We present HLV equilibrium conditions of two ternary gas mixtures: methane + ethane + propane (90:7:3 molar ratio) and methane + propane + carbon dioxide (55:5:40 molar ratio). Conditions varied in the temperature range of 275–285 K and the pressure range of 1.24–4.75 MPa. Experimental standard uncertainties were on average 0.10 K and 0.005 MPa for methane + ethane + propane and 0.19 K and 0.005 MPa for methane + propane + carbon dioxide. Our technique allowed us to bypass the limitations reported in the literature and provided fast, reproducible HLV equilibria for gas‐dominated systems.
Protonated Hydroxylamine‐Assisted Iron Catalytic Activation of Persulfate for the Rapid Removal of Persistent Organics from Wastewater
Authors: Merouani Slimane , Dehane Aissa , Belghit Aouattef , Hamdaoui Oualid , Tobba Yasser A. , Lahlou Chouaib , Shah Maulin P.
Published: July 2022

This research aims at optimizing the effects of processing conditions, salts, natural organic materials, and water matrices quality on the effectiveness of the Fe(II)/K2S2O8/hydroxylamine process in the degradation of pararosaniline. Assisting the Fe(II)/KPS (potassium persulfate) treatment with protonated hydroxylamine (H3NOH+) increases the degradation rate of pararosaniline by more than 100%. Radical scavenger experiments show that the SO4●− radical dominates pararosaniline degradation in the Fe(II)/KPS system, whereas ●OH is the dominant reactive species in the presence of H3NOH+. The disparity in pararosaniline removal effectiveness upon the Fe(II)/KPS/H3NOH+ and Fe(II)/KPS systems gets more significant with increasing reactants doses (i.e., H3NOH+, H2O2, Fe(II)) and solution pH (2–7). Interestingly, H3NOH+ increased the working pH to 6 instead of pH 4 for the Fe(II)/KPS process. Moreover, mineral anions such as Cl−, NO3−, NO2−, and SO4− (up to 10 × 10−3 m) do not affect the efficiency of the Fe(II)/KPS/H3NOH+ process. In contrast, acid humic decreases the performance of the process by ≈20%. In natural mineral water, treated wastewater, and river water samples, the Fe(II)/KPS/H3NOH+ process maintains higher degradation performance (≈95%), whereas the process efficiency is greatly amortized in seawater. The efficiency of the Fe(II)/KPS process was drastically decreased in the various water matrices.
High Recyclability Magnetic Iron Oxide‐Supported Ruthenium Nanocatalyst for H2 Release from Ammonia‐Borane Solvolysis
Authors: Poinsot Didier , Bouzid Moad , Burlot Agathe , Mboyi Clève D. , Doulain Pierre‐Emmanuel , Paris Jérémy , Heintz Olivier , Domenichini Bruno , Collière Vincent , Kahn Myrtil L. , Hierso Jean‐Cyrille
Published: July 2022

We report the high capacity of recycling of a technologically simple, easily recoverable, Ru@Fe3O4 magnetic nanocatalyst, efficient in the release of H2 from ammonia‐borane (AB) solvolysis, using H2O or methanol at room temperature (25 °C). The initially oxidized Ru small nanoparticles (2–4 nm) are well‐dispersed on an iron oxide support (i. e. super paramagnetic iron oxide of spinel structure, SPIO, as aggregates of 20 nm to a few μm). As nanocatalyst, this composite achieved short‐time (<10 min) AB full hydrolysis (3 equiv. H2, no NH3, [AB]=0.1 mol L−1) with a turnover frequency (TOF) of ca 20 min−1 (86 min−1 at 50 °C). The post‐catalysis characterization of the composite showed the formation of well‐defined crystalline hcp Ru(0) dispersed on the SPIO. The activity for full H2 release from AB is conserved over ten cycles, which is among the most effective recycling processes reported to date (a magnetic recycling is achieved in <2 min). Pleasingly, an even superior activity was found in the more challenging AB methanolysis, with a TOF up to ca 30 min−1 for full H2 release, achieved in a recycling process repeated over 8 cycles.
3D Hierarchical Porous Fe/Ni‐P‐B as Practical Bifunctional Electrode for Alkaline Water Electrolysis
Authors: Zhang Juan , Chen LuLu , Lu Bowen , Guo Yanhui
Published: July 2022

Bifunctional electrodes for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) are extremely attractive as they can simplify the water electrolysis system. Here, a general and scalable strategy to prepare stable and efficient bifunctional electrode was reported, based on a novel hierarchical porous structure constructed by conductive electrocatalyst. The method involved the construction of 3D monolithic structure and its surface reconstruction by chemical etching process. This strategy produced an advanced 3D hierarchical porous Fe/Ni‐P‐B@MS electrode containing well‐defined macropores (>100 μm) at the inter‐wire space and mesopores (<100 nm) distributed uniformly over the entire catalyst surface. This highly efficient bifunctional electrode required only 79 and 279 mV to reach 100 mA cm−2 toward HER and OER in 1.0 m KOH. An alkaline electrolyzer consisting of this electrode provided 100 mA cm−2 at a low cell voltage of 1.61 V and survived at large current density of 800 mA cm−2 for over 140 h without apparent degradation. This work provides a new perspective for the rational design of transition metal‐based bifunctional electrodes with outstanding performance.
Effects of non‐thermality and plasma parameters on dust‐ion‐acoustic shock waves
Authors: Khan Majid , Abbas Rahat , Huzaif Syed M. , Kamran Muhammad
Published: July 2022

The nonlinear characteristics of dust‐ion‐acoustic shock waves (DIASHWs) in a plasma consisting of charge‐fluctuating dust, inertial ions, and non‐Maxwellian electrons is examined. In particular, the electron velocity distribution function (VDF) is assumed to follow Kappa and Cairns distributions. In this regard, a reductive perturbation (RP) approach (in a weakly nonlinear limit) is used to derive the corresponding Burger's equation, and, from its solution, the effects of various physical parameters, for example, non‐thermal indices, number density, and temperature ratios, on the properties of shock waves are investigated. It is observed that the magnitude of the shock reduces as ion‐electron temperature ratio increases and vice versa. Furthermore, when the ion to electron (equilibrium) density ratio increases, the shock profile gets steepened. The resultant potential amplitude as well as the shock width is also shown to be strongly related to the spectral indices, namely κ and α in the case of Kappa‐ and Cairns‐distributed electrons, respectively. Hence, the potential distribution is strongly affected by the non‐thermal nature of the electron VDF. The relevant Maxwellian results are recovered in the limiting cases, namely κ → ∞ and α → 0. The present study will be useful in understanding the nonlinear propagation of DIASHWs in non‐thermal (space and laboratory) plasmas.
Development and regeneration of periodontal supporting tissues
Authors: Guo Hao , Bai Xueying , Wang Xiaoling , Qiang Jinbiao , Sha Tong , Shi Yan , Zheng Kaijuan , Yang Zhenming , Shi Ce
Published: July 2022

Periodontal tissues, including gingiva, cementum, periodontal ligament, and alveolar bone, play important roles in oral health. Under physiological conditions, periodontal tissues surround and support the teeth, maintaining the stability of the teeth and distributing the chewing forces. However, under pathological conditions, with the actions of various pathogenic factors, the periodontal tissues gradually undergo some irreversible changes, that is, gingival recession, periodontal ligament rupture, periodontal pocket formation, alveolar bone resorption, eventually leading to the loosening and even loss of the teeth. Currently, the regenerations of the periodontal tissues are still challenging. Therefore, it is necessary to study the development of the periodontal tissues, the principles and processes of which can be used to develop new strategies for the regeneration of periodontal tissues. This review summarizes the development of periodontal tissues and current strategies for periodontal healing and regeneration.
Evaluation of a one‐hour asynchronous video training for eating disorder screening and referral in U.S. Pediatric Primary Care: A pilot study
Authors: Raffoul Amanda , Vitagliano Julia A. , Sarda Vishnudas , Chan Charmaine , Chwa Cindy , Ferreira Katelyn B. , Gooding Holly C. , Forman Sara F. , Austin S. Bryn
Published: July 2022

Objective

Develop and pilot‐test the efficacy of an online training in improving comfort, knowledge, and behaviors related to eating disorders (EDs) screening among U.S.‐based pediatric primary care providers (PCPs).

Methods

PCPs (N = 84) completed a baseline survey assessing comfort, knowledge, and behaviors regarding ED screening and referral, then watched a 1‐h training video followed by a post‐video survey. Half of the participants were randomly assigned to complete spaced‐education questions in the following 2 months. All participants completed a 2‐month follow‐up survey. We used McNemar's and McNemar–Bowker tests to assess differences from baseline to post‐video and post‐video to follow‐up, and logistic models to assess differences by spaced‐education condition.

Results

From baseline to post‐video, there were significant improvements in PCPs' knowledge about and comfort in screening and making referrals for EDs (p < .05). There were no differences between spaced‐education conditions in knowledge and behaviors from baseline or post‐video to follow‐up, but spaced‐education participants reported significantly greater comfort in screening for BN (p < .01) and BED (p < .01) compared to non‐spaced‐education participants.

Discussion

Findings suggest that a 1‐h asynchronous training can improve PCP comfort, knowledge, and behavior in screening for EDs; spaced‐education may provide slight additional benefits in PCP comfort.

Public Significance

The delivery of an 1‐h asynchronous online video training helped to improve PCPs' comfort, knowledge, and behavior in screening and referral for EDs among pediatric populations. This has implications for future evaluations of brief trainings among this provider population, which could ultimately help to improve early identification of EDs and referrals to appropriate treatment.
Effects of spatial fragmentation on the elevational distribution of bird diversity in a mountain adjacent to urban areas
Authors: Liu Wei , Yu Dandan , Yuan Sijia , Yi Jianfeng , Cao Yun , Li Xiufen , Xu Haigen
Published: July 2022

The biodiversity in mountainous ecosystems is high but is threatened by rapid environmental change. Urbanization and other anthropogenic factors in the mountains can affect land use and spatial fragmentation. Moreover, patterns of habitat are closely related to elevation and have a major effect on montane biodiversity. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of spatial fragmentation on the vertical distribution pattern of bird diversity by characterizing the structure of the bird community, species diversity, and landscape factors at different altitudes. From 2016 to 2019, this study made a four years of continuous monitoring of the breeding birds. The result indicated that Mount Tai harbored a high bird diversity. Bird richness, abundance, and Shannon‐Wiener index decreased with latitude in Mount Tai monotonically. Moreover, the structure of bird communities varied along altitudinal gradients, and some special species were supported in different elevational bands due to the environmental filtering. Road density, number of habitat patches, patch density, and the percentage of forest were significantly related to bird diversity. Sufficient habitat and more patches in the low‐mountain belt supported higher bird diversity. The middle‐mountain belt and high‐mountain belt showed contrasting patterns. Our results highlight the effects of on‐going urbanization and human activities on montane biodiversity and emphasize the need for artificial habitats in the mountains to be managed.
Abiotic and biotic responses to woody debris additions in restored old fields in a multi‐site Before‐After‐Control‐Impact experiment
Authors: Parkhurst Tina , Prober Suzanne M. , Farrell Mark , Standish Rachel J.
Published: July 2022

Ecological restoration of former agricultural land can improve soil conditions, recover native vegetation, and provide fauna habitat. However, restoration benefits are often associated with time lags, as many attributes, such as leaf litter and coarse woody debris, need time to accumulate. Here, we experimentally tested whether adding mulch and logs to restoration sites in semi‐arid Western Australia can accelerate restoration benefits. All sites had been cropped and then planted with native trees and shrubs (i.e., Eucalyptus, Melaleuca, and Acacia spp.) 10 years prior to our experiment, to re‐establish the original temperate eucalypt woodland vegetation community. We used a Multi‐site Before‐After‐Control‐Impact (MBACI) design to test the effects on 30 abiotic and biotic response variables over a period of 2 years. Of the 30 response variables, a significant effect was found for just four variables: volumetric water content, decomposition, native herbaceous species cover and species richness of disturbance specialist ants. Mulch addition had a positive effect on soil moisture when compared to controls but suppressed growth of native (but not exotic) herbaceous plants. On plots with log additions, decomposition rates decreased, and species richness of disturbance specialist ants increased. However, we found no effect on total species richness and abundance of other ant species groups. The benefit of mulch to soil moisture was offset by its disbenefit to native herbs in our study. Given time, logs may also provide habitat for ant species that prefer concealed habitats. Indeed, benefits to other soil biophysical properties, vegetation, and ant fauna may require longer time frames to be detected. Further research is needed to determine whether the type, quantity, and context of mulch and log additions may improve their utility for old field restoration and whether effects on native herbs are correlated with idiosyncratic climatic conditions.
Exploring the interplay between natural and intersexual selection on the evolution of a cognitive trait
Authors: Barou‐Dagues Marie , Dubois Frédérique
Published: July 2022

There has been an increased focus on the role of natural and sexual selection in shaping cognitive abilities, but the importance of the interaction between both forces remains largely unknown. Intersexual selection through female mate choice might be an important driver of the evolution of cognitive traits, especially in monogamous species, where females may obtain direct fitness benefits by choosing mates with better cognitive abilities. However, the importance given by female to male cognitive traits might vary among species and/or populations according to their life‐history traits and ecology. To disentangle the effects of natural and sexual selection, here we use an agent‐based simulation model and compare the model's predictions when females mate with the first randomly encountered male (i.e., under natural selection) versus when they choose among males based on their cognitive trait values (i.e., under natural and intersexual selection). Males and females are characterized, respectively, by their problem‐solving ability and assessment strategy. At each generation, agents go through (1) a choosing phase during which females assess the cognitive abilities of potential mates until eventually finding an acceptable one and (2) a reproductive phase during which all males compete for limited resources that are exploited at a rate, which depends on their cognitive abilities. Because males provide paternal care, the foraging success of mated males determines the breeding success of the pair through its effect on nestling provisioning efficiency. The model predicts that intersexual selection plays a major role in most ecological conditions, by either reinforcing or acting against the effect of natural selection. The latter case occurs under harsh environmental conditions, where intersexual selection contributes to maintaining cognitive diversity. Our findings thus demonstrate the importance of considering the interaction between both selective forces and highlight the need to build a conceptual framework to target relevant cognitive traits.
Guidelines for inflammation models in mice for food components
Authors: Han Yanhui , Itenberg Sasha A. , Wu Xian , Xiao Hang
Published: July 2022

Inflammation is one of the major health threats to humans, and it is associated with various chronic diseases, including metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and several types of cancer. For example, colonic inflammation can result in the damage of the intestinal barrier, as indicated by invasion of immune cells and reduced tight junctions. Inflammatory responses can also lead to erythema and edema on skin. The intervention of dietary components offers striking possibilities for the prevention of inflammation by modulating the inflammatory signaling pathways and microbiota–inflammation axis. Thus, the preclinical animal models are of critical importance for investigating the anti‐inflammatory effects of food components. This guideline introduces two inflammatory mouse models: dextran sulfate sodium‐induced colonic inflammation and 12‐O‐tetradecanoylphorbol‐13‐acetate‐induced skin inflammation. These mimic models offer the potential to assess food components in attenuating the colonic and skin inflammation in humans.
Uncapped education‐related benefits for student‐athletes can impact their federal student aid
Authors: Cartwright Anne , Montgomery Jason , Schneider Scott
Published: July 2022

In the wake of NCAA v. Alston, student‐athletes’ education‐related benefits may impact the amount of federal student aid that college student‐athletes can receive.
Income share agreements offer upskilling opportunities for adult learners
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: July 2022

SAN DIEGO — “There are always going to be resources for unemployed people. But where are the resources for those people who make minimum wage, or just above minimum wage? In San Diego, that's not going to take you far,” said Alastair Penny, Senior Manager at the San Diego Workforce Partnership. One such resource to help educate more of your community might be to invest in, or partner with, an organization that offers an income share agreement for college education.
Integrated Exposure and Algal Ecotoxicological Assessments of Effluents from Secondary and Advanced-Tertiary Wastewater-Treatment Plants
Authors: Palumbo Maria Teresa , Russo Simona , Polesello Stefano , Guzzella Licia , Roscioli Claudio , Marziali Laura , Valsecchi Lucia , Cappelli Francesca , Pascariello Simona , Tasselli Stefano , Villa Sara , Peruzzo Massimo , Culatina Stefano , Bellotti Giovanni , Turolla Andrea , Antonelli Manuela , Malpei Francesca , Valsecchi Sara
Published: July 2022

The great concern over the environmental impact of wastewaters has led to the designing of advanced treatment processes to upgrade conventional treatment plants and achieve a significant reduction of contaminants in receiving waters. In the present study we combined chemical and ecotoxicological analyses, aiming to evaluate the reduction of toxicity effects associated with the removal of micropollutants and to define the contribution of the detected compounds to the overall toxicity of the mixtures in a series of wastewater effluents collected from a secondary treatment (OUT 2) and from a tertiary activated carbon treatment (OUT 3) plant. The target compounds were selected after a screening procedure among pharmaceuticals, musk fragrances, and trace metals. The classical algal growth inhibition test was conducted on the original effluent samples and on different fractions obtained by solid-phase extraction (SPE) treatment. A good accordance was found between the removal of toxicity (30%–80%) and organic compounds (70%–80%) after the tertiary treatment, suggesting its high efficiency to improve the wastewater quality. The discrepancy between the contribution to the overall toxicity of the nonadsorbable compounds (i.e., inorganic or very polar organic compounds) as experimentally measured by the SPE bioassays (18%–76%) and calculated by the concentration addition approach (>97%) could be mitigated by including the bioavailability correction in metal-toxicity modeling of wastewater mixtures. For the organic compounds, the toxic equivalency method enabled us to quantify the portion of toxicity explained by the detected chemicals in both OUT 2 (82%–104%) and OUT 3 (5%–57%), validating the selection of the target molecules. The applied integrating approach could be implemented by the inclusion of both additional target chemicals and toxicity endpoints. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:2404–2419. © 2022 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
Advances and prospects of transcription‐factor‐based biosensors in high‐throughput screening for cell factories construction
Authors: Li Changfan , Wang Chang , Zhu Jiang , Xue Feng , Sun Xiaoman , Gu Yang
Published: July 2022

Non/semi‐rational engineering strategies can improve the performance of microbial cell factories under the situations of indistinct metabolic regulations and interactions. However, generating positive variants through these strategies is remarkably low. Using traditional screening methods to evaluate the performance of mutants, such as mass spectrometry and chromatography, is low‐throughput, slow‐detection, and labor‐intensive. Specifically, the efficiency of high‐throughput screening (HTS) for strain screening could reach even more 103−106 strains/day, bridging the gap between non/semi‐rational engineering strategies and microbial cell factories construction. This review highlights transcription factor (TFs)‐based biosensors in the advances in developing synthetic biosensors for HTS. We hope that this review will help take full advantage of valuable TFs to guide the HTS technology and promote its development.
Effects of a single‐dose methylphenidate challenge on resting‐state functional connectivity in stimulant‐treatment naive children and adults with ADHD
Authors: Kaiser Antonia , Broeder Caroline , Cohen Jessica R. , Douw Linda , Reneman Liesbeth , Schrantee Anouk
Published: July 2022

Prior studies suggest that methylphenidate, the primary pharmacological treatment for attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), alters functional brain connectivity. As the neurotransmitter systems targeted by methylphenidate undergo significant alterations throughout development, the effects of methylphenidate on functional connectivity may also be modulated by age. Therefore, we assessed the effects of a single methylphenidate challenge on brain network connectivity in stimulant‐treatment naïve children and adults with ADHD. We obtained resting‐state functional MRI from 50 boys (10–12 years of age) and 49 men (23–40 years of age) with ADHD (DSM IV, all subtypes), before and after an oral challenge with 0.5 mg/kg methylphenidate; and from 11 boys and 12 men as typically developing controls. Connectivity strength (CS), eigenvector centrality (EC), and betweenness centrality (BC) were calculated for the striatum, thalamus, dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC), and prefrontal cortex (PFC). In line with our hypotheses, we found that methylphenidate decreased measures of connectivity and centrality in the striatum and thalamus in children with ADHD, but increased the same metrics in adults with ADHD. Surprisingly, we found no major effects of methylphenidate in the dACC and PFC in either children or adults. Interestingly, pre‐methylphenidate, participants with ADHD showed aberrant connectivity and centrality compared to controls predominantly in frontal regions. Our findings demonstrate that methylphenidate's effects on connectivity of subcortical regions are age‐dependent in stimulant‐treatment naïve participants with ADHD, likely due to ongoing maturation of dopamine and noradrenaline systems. These findings highlight the importance for future studies to take a developmental perspective when studying the effects of methylphenidate treatment.
Convective flow of a Williamson hybrid nanofluid in a porous medium through a cone and wedge with the effect of the shape of nanoparticles
Authors: Al‐Arabi Taghreed H. , Mahdy A. , Rashad Ahmed M. , Saad Wafaa , Nabwey Hossam A.
Published: July 2022

The performance of nanofluid in the heat transport phenomena showed satisfactory results, which have been considered by scientists and researchers. The dispersion of two nanoparticles to form a mixture which named as hybrid nanofluid. It has been proved experimentally that hybrid nanofluid has good thermal performance compared to unitary nanofluid. The present study inspected the convective flow of a Williamson hybrid nanofluid through a cone and wedge in a porous medium of different shapes of nanoparticles (cylindrical‐, spherical‐, blades‐, platelets‐, bricks‐) under the influence of a magnetic field. The partial differential equations were converted to an ordinary differential equation and the resulting equations were solved using the bvp4c MATLAB code. The effect of some important physical parameters on both the velocity and temperature profile was graphically plotted and the effect of the shape and size of nanoparticles was discussed, the numerical values of the friction coefficient and Nusselt number were obtained. As observed, the friction factor of Ag–TiO2–H2O hybrid nanofluid was more than that of TiO2–H2O nanofluid. A significant enhancement in bulk temperature is seen for the Ag–TiO2 hybrid and nanofluid formed by blade‐shaped nanoparticles followed by cylindrical, platelet, brick, and spherical nanoparticles. In addition, for a 5% volume fraction of using blade nanoparticles shape givean increase in skin friction factor about 4.8% compared tobrick hybrid nanoparticles. A comparative study of different forms for Ag‐TiO2was presented graphically.
Propelling steady growth and high‐quality development through deeper reform and more comprehensive opening up: Outlook, policy simulations, and reform implementation—A summary of the Annual SUFE Macroeconomic Report (2021–2022)
Authors: Huang Kevin X. D. , Tian Guoqiang , Zhao Lin
Published: July 2022

China's economy underwent a steady recovery in 2021. Investment grew steadily with structural improvement. Exports and imports surged while trade surplus expanded. On the other hand, although labor market conditions improved, income distribution worsened, contributing to sluggish growth in consumption, whereas the gap between consumer price index and producer price index widened, and the profits of enterprises of different sizes diverged, which may go beyond how they are correlated with the locations of the enterprises in the chain of production and trade. While proper liquidity was maintained with prudent monetary policy, risk spillover rose in the financial system, particularly for small and medium‐sized banks. Household and local government debts remained at relatively high levels, further dragging down growth in consumption and infrastructure investment. The “dual carbon” goals exerted downward pressure on near‐term growth in trading off their long‐term benefits. The economy also faced challenges in its external environment in the midst of the prolonged COVID‐19 pandemic aboard, trade protectionism, and the readjustment of the global value chain. Moreover, excessive supervision and inadequate implementation disturbed China's economy, resulting in declined market vitality and confidence of market participants. Based on the Institute for Advanced Research‐China Macroeconomic Model, the baseline real gross domestic product growth rate is projected to be 5.5% in 2022. Alternative scenario analyses and policy simulations are conducted, in addition to the benchmark forecast, to reflect the influences of various risks and possible favorable situations. The findings suggest that China should deepen reform and open up more comprehensively and initiatively, while special effort should be placed on providing accommodative policy and friendly public opinion environment, to facilitate steady growth and propel high‐quality development. A comprehensive macroeconomic governance framework with Chinese characteristics must be developed from systems thinking, to resolve the various issues, internal and external, cyclical and secular, structural and institutional, in an all‐inclusive and coherent manner.
Sustained release of sulforaphane by bioactive extracellular vesicles for neuroprotective effect on chick model
Authors: Shahlaei Mona , Saeidifar Maryam , Zamanian Ali
Published: July 2022

Novel studies have shown neurological treatment possibilities with extracellular vesicles (EVs) as natural particles with a special composition that are produced by different cell types. Their stability, natural structure, composition, and bioavailability make them good candidates as drug vehicles. Here, EVs were isolated from amniotic fluid (AF) through differential centrifugation, and characterized for size (<200 nm), structure, and composition, their effectiveness on the human PC12 cell line, and brain of chick embryos exposed to sodium valproate (animal autistic model). Sulforaphane (SFN) was employed as a bioactive compound and then encapsulated into Evs using three methods including passive (incubation), active (sonication), and active‐passive (sonication‐incubation). Further, the loading and in vitro releases of SFN fitted the Korsmeyer–Peppas (R2 = 0.99) kinetic model by non‐Fickian diffusion case II (n = 0.44, passive loading) and Fickian diffusion case I (n = 0.41, active and active‐passive loading). SFN‐loaded EVs (SFN@EVs; 11 μM: 103 nM) stimulated hPC‐12 cell proliferation. The gene expression analysis revealed that SFN@EVs could upregulate Nrf2 and reduce IL‐6 expression. Eventually, histopathological results of the coronal cross‐section of the chick embryos brain showed treatment with SFN@EVs. This treatment illustrated normality in the gray and white matter and the orientation of the bipolar neurons. Our findings showed EVs' potentially acting as a gene expression regulator in autism spectrum disorder.
Segmentation of laser induced retinal lesions using deep learning (December 2021)
Authors: Gil Eddie M. , Keppler Mark , Boretsky Adam , Yakovlev Vladislav V. , Bixler Joel N.
Published: July 2022

Objective

Detection of retinal laser lesions is necessary in both the evaluation of the extent of damage from high power laser sources, and in validating treatments involving the placement of laser lesions. However, such lesions are difficult to detect using Color Fundus cameras alone. Deep learning‐based segmentation can remedy this, by highlighting potential lesions in the image.

Methods

A unique database of images collected at the Air Force Research Laboratory over the past 30 years was used to train deep learning models for classifying images with lesions and for subsequent segmentation. We investigate whether transferring weights from models that learned classification would improve performance of the segmentation models. We use Pearson's correlation coefficient between the initial and final training phases to reveal how the networks are transferring features.

Results

The segmentation models are able to effectively segment a broad range of lesions and imaging conditions.

Conclusion

Deep learning‐based segmentation of lesions can effectively highlight laser lesions, making this a useful tool for aiding clinicians.
Corrosion behavior and mechanism of the high‐strength low‐alloy steel joined by multilayer and multipass welding method
Authors: Zhang Huixia , Hao Fuyao , Zhang Yu , Li Xiangbo , Guo Han
Published: July 2022

The corrosion behavior and mechanism of the high‐strength low‐alloy steel‐welded joint fabricated by the multilayer and multipass welding method were investigated using a scanning Kelvin probe, electrochemical measurements, and so forth. The results revealed that the microstructure of the first layer welding zone was dominated by granular bainite and acicular ferrite and was fine and uniform, which exhibited the best corrosion resistance. Whereas, since the average cooling rate decreased with the increase of welding pass, the grain size of the second and third layer weldings gradually grew, and the voltaic potential gradually decreased. In addition, the microstructure of the heat‐affected zone (HAZ) changed from the tempered sorbite structure of the equilibrium phase to the granular bainite or bainite structure of the nonequilibrium phase under the action of heat transfer. The HAZ became the weakest link for corrosion of welded joint, on account of the nonequilibrium organization and galvanic coupling among base metal, weld metal and HAZ.
A trigonometrically adapted 6(4) explicit Runge–Kutta–Nyström pair to solve oscillating systems
Authors: Demba Musa Ahmed , Ramos Higinio , Kumam Poom , Watthayu Wiboonsak , Senu Norazak , Ahmed Idris
Published: July 2022

In this study, a trigonometrically adapted 6(4) explicit Runge–Kutta–Nyström (RKN) pair with six stages is formulated, considering a previous method developed by El‐Mikkawy and Rahmo. The obtained adapted pair integrates exactly the usual test equation: . The local truncation error of the new method is presented, showing that the algebraic order of the original method is maintained. The periodicity interval of the new method is computed, showing that the developed method is “almost” P‐stable. The numerical examples considered clearly show the superiority of the new developed embedded pair over other RKN methods of algebraic orders 6(4) with six stages appeared in the literature.
Exploring the Association between Habitual Food Intake and the Urine and Blood Metabolome in Adolescents and Young Adults: A Cohort Study
Authors: Brachem Christian , Oluwagbemigun Kolade , Langenau Julia , Weinhold Leonie , Alexy Ute , Schmid Matthias , Nöthlings Ute
Published: July 2022

Scope

Habitual diet may be reflected in metabolite profiles that can improve accurate assessment of dietary exposure and further enhance our understanding of their link to health conditions. The study aims to explore the relationship of habitual food intake with blood and urine metabolites in adolescents and young adults.

Methods

The study population comprises 228 participants (94 males and 134 females) of the DONALD study. Dietary intake is assessed by yearly repeated 3d‐food records. Habitual diet is estimated as the average consumption of 23 food groups in adolescence. Using an untargeted metabolomics approach, the study quantifies 2638 metabolites in plasma and 1407 metabolites in urine. In each sex, unique diet–metabolite associations using orthogonal projection to latent structures (oPLS) and random forests (RF) is determined.

Results

Six metabolites in agreement between oPLS and RF in urine, one in female (vanillylmandelate to processed/other meat) and five in males (indole‐3‐acetamide, and N6‐methyladenosine to eggs; hippurate, citraconate/glutaconate, and X – 12111 to vegetables) are observed. No association in blood in agreement is observed.

Conclusion

A limited reflection of habitual food group intake by single metabolites in urine and not in blood is observed. The explored biomarkers should be confirmed in additional studies.
FReSCO: Flow Reconstruction and Segmentation for low‐latency Cardiac Output monitoring using deep artifact suppression and segmentation
Authors: Jaubert Olivier , Montalt‐Tordera Javier , Brown James , Knight Daniel , Arridge Simon , Steeden Jennifer , Muthurangu Vivek
Published: July 2022

Purpose

Real‐time monitoring of cardiac output (CO) requires low‐latency reconstruction and segmentation of real‐time phase‐contrast MR, which has previously been difficult to perform. Here we propose a deep learning framework for “FReSCO” (Flow Reconstruction and Segmentation for low latency Cardiac Output monitoring).

Methods

Deep artifact suppression and segmentation U‐Nets were independently trained. Breath‐hold spiral phase‐contrast MR data (N = 516) were synthetically undersampled using a variable‐density spiral sampling pattern and gridded to create aliased data for training of the artifact suppression U‐net. A subset of the data (N = 96) was segmented and used to train the segmentation U‐net. Real‐time spiral phase‐contrast MR was prospectively acquired and then reconstructed and segmented using the trained models (FReSCO) at low latency at the scanner in 10 healthy subjects during rest, exercise, and recovery periods. Cardiac output obtained via FReSCO was compared with a reference rest CO and rest and exercise compressed‐sensing CO.

Results

The FReSCO framework was demonstrated prospectively at the scanner. Beat‐to‐beat heartrate, stroke volume, and CO could be visualized with a mean latency of 622 ms. No significant differences were noted when compared with reference at rest (bias = −0.21 ± 0.50 L/min, p = 0.246) or compressed sensing at peak exercise (bias = 0.12 ± 0.48 L/min, p = 0.458).

Conclusions

The FReSCO framework was successfully demonstrated for real‐time monitoring of CO during exercise and could provide a convenient tool for assessment of the hemodynamic response to a range of stressors.
The key role of levator ani thickness for early urinary continence recovery in patients undergoing robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy: A multi‐institutional study
Authors: Tutolo Manuela , Rosiello Giuseppe , Stabile Giorgio , Tasso Giovanni , Oreggia Davide , De Wever Liesbeth , De Ridder Dirk , Pellegrino Antony , Esposito Antonio , De Cobelli Francesco , Salonia Andrea , Briganti Alberto , Montorsi Francesco , Everaerts Wouter , Van der Aa Frank
Published: July 2022

Background

Urinary continence (UC) recovery dramatically affects quality of life after robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). Membranous urethral length (MUL) has been the most studied anatomical variable associated with UC recovery.

Objective

To investigate whether levator ani thickness (LAT), assessed with multi‐parametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI), correlates with UC recovery after RARP.

Design, Setting, and Participants

The study included 209 patients treated with RARP by expert surgeons with extensive robotic experience from 2017 to 2019. All patients had complete, clinical, mpMRI, pathological, and postoperative data including pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) protocols.

Intervention

After a radiologist‐specific training, two urologists independently examined the files, blinded to clinical and pathological findings as well as to postoperative continence status.

Outcome Measurements and Statistical Analysis

On mpMRI, LAT, bladder neck (BN) shape, MUL, and apex overlapping (AO) were measured. UC recovery was defined as use of 0 or 1 safety pad at follow‐up. Multivariable models were used to assess the association between variables and UC recovery.

Results and Limitations

Overall, 173 (82.8%) patients were continent after a median follow‐up of 23 months (interquartile range [IQR]: 17–28). Of these, 98 (46.9%) recovered within 3 months after surgery, 42 (20.1%) from 3 to 6 months, and 33 (15.8%) from 6 months onwards. A significant higher rate of patients with LAT > 10 mm (88.1 vs.75.8%; p = 0.03) experienced UC recovery, compared to those with LAT < 10 mm. This difference was observed in the first 3 months after surgery. At multivariable analysis, LAT (odds ratio [OR]: 1.18, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02–1.37; p = 0.02), Preoperative ICIQ score (OR: 0.91, 95% CI: 0.82–0.98, p = 0.03) and PFMT (OR: 1.98, 95% CI: 1.01–3.93; p = 0.04) independently predict higher UC recovery within 3 months, after accounting for age, BMI, preoperative PSA, D'Amico risk group, MUL, BN shape and AO.

Conclusions

LAT greater than 1 cm was associated with greater UC recovery. Specifically, LAT greater than 1 cm seems to be associated with higher UC rate at 3 months after RARP, compared to those with LAT < 1 cm.

Patient Summary

Magnetic resonance features can help in predicting the risk of incontinence after robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy and should be taken into account when counseling patients before surgery.
Multisource uncertain dynamic load identification fitted by Legendre polynomial based on precise integration and the Savitzky–Golay filters
Authors: Wang Lei , Xu Hanying , Wang Xiaojun , Ding Xuyun
Published: July 2022

In this article, a precise integral method (PIM) for the load identification of continuous structures based on the polynomial nonlinear hypothesis is presented. Essentially, load identification can be regarded as solving a dynamic equation in an inverse process. PIM is famous for its high precision in positive engineering problems. It has been already used in load reconstruction, but most cases are with discrete structures. In each time step, the dynamic responses of the measured points are used to identify the load without establishing a recursive chain, so PIM is not sensitive to the initial value and has no accumulated error. Legendrepolynomials (LPIM) is a computational scheme. The dynamic load is assumed to be a polynomial fitting nonlinear function in each integral time step with LPIM. Just with the first modal, LPIM can reliably identify the concentrated load. In addition, as uncertainty is getting more and more attention in engineer, it is also needed to be considered in load identification. In linear systems, interval vertex is a reliable method to obtain the load bounds in the virtue of multisource uncertainties. The results of identified load are too lumpy because of the polynomial fitting. To improve the precision, Savitsky–Golay (S–G) filters which fit the curves by polynomials in a frame length is introduced to smooth down the load in high fidelity. Eight numerical examples are investigated to demonstrated the efficiency and precision of the developed method.
Reversal of obesity development in Ceacam1−/− male mice by bone marrow transplantation or introduction of the human CEACAM1 gene
Authors: Zhang Zhifang , La Placa Deirdre , Gugiu Gabriel , Thunen Alyssa , Le Keith , Shively John E.
Published: July 2022

Objective

Although Ceacam1−/− male mice become obese on normal chow, the effect of bone marrow transplantation or introduction of the carcinoembryonic antigen‐related cell adhesion molecule 1 (CEACAM1) gene has not been studied, to the knowledge of the authors.

Methods

This study analyzed Ceacam1−/− mice on normal diet or high‐fat diet (HFD), including effects of bone marrow transplantation or introduction of the CEACAM1 gene.

Results

Male Ceacam1−/− mice on normal diet versus HFD for 24 weeks gained significantly more weight than controls, and Ceacam1−/− mice aged up to 2 years had a high frequency of liver cancer. Transplantation of wild‐type bone marrow into Ceacam1−/− mice or introduction of the human CEACAM1 gene fully or partially reversed the obesity phenotype. Liver lipidomics on Ceacam1−/− versus wild‐type controls on an HFD revealed a significant increase in diacyl glycerides. An increase in fatty acid transporter CD36 levels further suggests that loss of Ceacam1 leads to a major dysregulation of free fatty acid uptake.

Conclusions

CEACAM1 expression in both the liver and immune cells regulates obesity and lipid storage pathways in the liver. Bone marrow reconstitution of the immune system or introduction of the human CEACAM1 gene can fully or partially reverse the phenotype.
Design and preparation of a novel organic–inorganic hybrid for reducing fire hazards of epoxy
Authors: Lu Jiangtao , Shi Congling , Qian Xiaodong , Zhou Keqing
Published: July 2022

Herein, a novel type of organic–inorganic hybrid (SiO2‐Co‐BHMTPMPA) with core‐shell structure was designed to reduce the fire risk of epoxy resin (EP). The chemical composition and micro‐morphology of SiO2‐Co‐BHMTPMPA were characterized by XRD, FTIR, TGA, XPS, and SEM. As observed by SEM images, the SiO2‐Co‐BHMTPMPA exhibited spherical morphology while a large amount of SiO2 was attached on the surface to form a covering layer. The SiO2‐Co‐BHMTPMPA hybrids showed better dispersion state within epoxy matrix, in comparison with that of Co‐BHMTPMPA. According to TGA and cone calorimeter test, the thermal stability and fire safety of EP/SiO2‐Co‐BHMTPMPA have been significantly improved. Compared to neat epoxy, the epoxy composites with 2 wt% SiO2‐Co‐BHMTPMPA exhibited a low mass loss rate, increased residual char of 68.4%, reduced 36.0% in peak heat release rate (PHRR) and a drop of 28.5% in peak smoke production rate (PSPR), respectively. The good dispersibility, catalytic carbon formation and smoke inhibition ability of SiO2‐Co‐BHMTPMPA hybrid led to the reduction of fire risk of epoxy composites.