bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pain‐Related Risk Factors Among Radiologic Stages of Knee Osteoarthritis: Data From the Osteoarthritis Initiative
Authors: He Zi‐Jun , Li Shi‐Lin , Zou Ji‐Hua , Gong Ze , He Long‐Long , Zhang Zhuo‐Dong , Lu Peng‐Cheng , Fan Tao , Chen Rong , Chen Zhi , Zhao Yi‐Jin , Zeng Qing , Huang Guo‐Zhi
Published: August 2022

Objective

To investigate whether risk factors related to pain vary at different stages of knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods

Individuals from the Osteoarthritis Initiative with available Kellgren/Lawrence (K/L) grade and numerical rating scale (NRS) data at baseline were included in this study. Pain severity was classified into 3 categories based on NRS scores: no pain, mild pain, and moderate/severe pain. Knee OA severity was stratified into 4 categories according to the K/L system. Pain risk factors were evaluated using generalized ordinal logistic regression analysis, and a heatmap was created to compare differences in standardized regression coefficients between subgroups of patients with different knee OA severities.

Results

A total of 4,446 subjects were included in this study: 1,574 individuals without pain (35.4%), 1,138 individuals with mild pain (25.6%), and 1,734 individuals with moderate/severe pain (39.0%). For the entire population and subjects in the premorbid‐stage subgroup, knee injury history, diabetes mellitus, depression, use of nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and valgus malaligned knees were associated with more severe pain. Older age and stronger quadriceps muscles were associated with milder pain. As the disease progressed, the number of significant risk factors decreased. Only age and quadriceps muscle force remained significant in end‐stage disease.

Conclusion

Multiple factors are associated with pain in patients with knee OA. As the disease progresses, the number of significant risk factors gradually reduces. These findings suggest that strategies for managing pain related to knee OA should vary depending on radiographic grades.
Establishment of an allotetraploid fern species, Lepisorus yamaokae Seriz., between two highly niche‐differentiated parental species
Authors: Fujiwara Tao , Egashira Tsubasa , Gutiérrez‐Ortega José Said , Hori Kiyotaka , Ebihara Atsushi , Watano Yasuyuki
Published: August 2022

Premise

The successful establishment of polyploid species is hypothesized to be promoted by niche differentiation from the parental species or by range shifts during climate oscillations. However, few studies have considered both of these factors simultaneously. We resolved the origin of a tetraploid fern, Lepisorus yamaokae, and explored a pattern of niche differentiation among the allotetraploid and parental species in past and current climates.

Methods

We reconstructed phylogenetic trees based on plastid marker and single‐copy nuclear genes to resolve the allopolyploid origin of L. yamaokae. We also evaluated climatic niche differentiation among L. yamaokae and its two parental species using species distribution models in geographic space and principal component analysis.

Results

We infer that L. yamaokae had a single allotetraploid origin from L. annuifrons and L. uchiyamae. Climatic niche analyses show that the parental species currently occupy different niche spaces. The predicted distribution of the parental species at the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) suggests more opportunities for hybridization during the LGM or during other recent temporary range shifts. Lepisorus yamaokae has a narrower niche than the additive niche of the parental species. We also observed niche conservatism in L. yamaokae.

Conclusions

Range shifts of the parental species during climatic oscillations in the Quaternary likely facilitated the formation and establishment of L. yamaokae. Further, the genetic intermediacy of L. yamaokae may have enabled a niche shift in its microenvironment, resulting in its successful establishment without a macroclimatic niche shift in L. yamaokae.
A novel pulmonary fibrosis murine model with immune‐related liver injury
Authors: Jia Kexin , Wu Jianzhi , Li Yijie , Liu Jia , Liu Runping , Cai Yajie , Zhang Yinhao , Li Xiaojiaoyang
Published: August 2022

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), characterized by aggravated alveolar destruction and fibrotic matrix deposition, tendentiously experiences the stage called acute exacerbation IPF (AE‐IPF) and progresses to multiple organ damage, especially liver injury. Recent studies have found a variety of immune microenvironment disorders associated with elevated IPF risk and secondary organ injury, whereas current animal models induced with bleomycin (BLM) could not completely reflect the pathological manifestations of AE‐IPF patients in clinic, and the exact underlying mechanisms are not yet fully explored. In the current study, we established an AE‐IPF model by tracheal administration of a single dose of BLM and then repeated administrations of lipopolysaccharide in mice. This mouse model successfully recapitulated the clinical features of AE‐IPF, including excessive intrapulmonary inflammation and fibrosis and extrapulmonary manifestations, as indicated by significant upregulation of Il6, Tnfa, Il1b, Tgfb, fibronectin, and Col1a1 in both lungs and liver and elevated serum aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase levels. These effects might be attributed to the regulation of Th17 cells. By sharing this novel murine model, we expect to provide an appropriate experimental platform to investigate the pathogenesis of AE‐IPF coupled with liver injury and contribute to the discovery and development of targeted interventions.
Surface modification of UHMWPE fibers with chlorination and polydopamine for enhancing the mechanical properties of composites
Authors: Yuan Rui , Chu Zheng , Wu Xiaolian , Kong Fanmin , Jiang Guodong , Shen Yucai , Zhao Dong
Published: August 2022

Ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers had many excellent mechanical properties, but their applications in composites were limited due to the weak interfacial adhesion between UHMWPE fibers with non‐polar methylene and resin matrix. This paper explored an efficient method for the damage‐free modification of fibers by chloride grafting followed by polydopamine (PDA) deposition to obtain UHMWPE‐Cl‐PDA fiber while maintaining the excellent mechanical properties of the fiber. The chemical components of surface treated fibers were observed by XPS and FTIR‐ATR, and the results proved that the fiber surface has been successfully chlorinated and then coated with PDA layer. The surface morphologies of fibers measured by SEM showed the rough surface of UHMWPE‐Cl‐PDA fibers was beneficed to anchor the resin matrix. The different mechanical properties of composites were studied, such as interfacial shear strength (IFSS), impact strength, flexural strength and modulus, especially the IFSS between UHMWPE‐Cl‐PDA and epoxy matrix and the impact strength of UHMWPE‐Cl‐PDA composite were increased by 29.1% and 53.8%, respectively, compared with UHMWPE fibers deposited by PDA.
Preparation and evaluation of organosilica nanocapsules encapsulating DCOIT by using the response surface optimization
Authors: Liu Huatong , Lu Tao , Cheng Xueqing , Zhao Shigui , Zhou Chuanjian , Zhang Chen , Cheng Xiao
Published: August 2022

Antifouling agent 4, 5‐dichloro‐2‐n‐octyl‐4‐isothiazolin‐3‐one (DCOIT) in a one‐stage process based on the self‐catalytic reaction between methyl trimethoxysilane (MTMS) and 3‐aminopropyl trimethoxysilane (APS) in an aqueous system without any surfactants and catalysts have been developed. The optimal preparation process parameters of organosilica nanocapsules encapsulating DCOIT (DCOIT@SiNC) were determined using response surface methodology (RSM) based on the single‐factor experimental results. The results of RSM optimization showed that 49.51% encapsulation efficiency (EE [%]) would be achieved with a shell–core mass ratio of 5.59:1, a MTMS‐APS mole ratio of 1.52:1, and a reaction temperature of 31°C. DCOIT@SiNC prepared according to the RSM optimal process exhibited a decent uniform sphericity with an average particle diameter of 660.50 nm. The encapsulation was characterized by Fourier‐transform infrared and X‐ray diffraction. The loading efficiency and thermal stability were verified via thermogravimetric analysis. Compared to DCOIT, DCOIT@SiNC had better controlled release performance, and the release kinetics investigated by Riger‐peppas model indicated that the release of DCOIT was diffusion‐controlled.
Keep your eye on…
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: August 2022

The acceptability of teletherapy in a parenting intervention

The increase in alcohol‐related deaths in young adults

The link between adverse life events and NSSI
Professional societies comment on Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: August 2022

Parents should ask child psychiatrists, psychologists, pediatricians, and gynecologists about abortion if they have questions — not politicians. And if their teen happens to be pregnant, or wants confidential care, encourage her to make her own decision with your help, if possible.
Munsell and Ostwald colour spaces: A comparison in the field of hair colouring
Authors: Liberini Simone , Rizzi Alessandro
Published: August 2022

Colour science has had a very long history, dotted over the millennia with many contributions from the most diverse fields of human knowledge. At the beginning of the 20th century, Albert Henry Munsell, an artist formally trained in academia, and Friedrich Wilhelm Ostwald, Nobel prize for chemistry in 1909 and amateur painter, each envisioned and developed a colour system with a related colour atlas. Both authors recognized the importance of the visual relationship between colours, which they conceived as sensations stemming from, but not merely confined to, pigments and light. We hereby describe the salient features of these colour spaces, their strengths and weaknesses, the authors' analogy of intents and divergence in execution. The contribution of this paper is a discussion on how these are employed both in Italian educational facilities, and salon practice, as well as a suggestion about their use within the industry of human hair cosmetics.
Multilevel security for medical image using heterogeneous chaotic map and deoxyribonucleic acid sequence operations
Authors: Akkasaligar Prema T. , Biradar Sumangala , Biradar Sunanda
Published: August 2022

In telemedicine and e‐health system, the medical images are transmitted through telecommunication. In telecommunication, medical images are transmitted through open source networks. The hackers can tamper or add noise to medical images. Diagnosing the correct disease from the altered medical images is highly impossible. Hence indulge with security, confidentiality and integrity for medical images. In this work, heterogeneous hyper chaotic maps, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) cryptography and SHA‐512 is proposed in a new multilevel cryptosystem. The multilevel permutation is performed using heterogeneous chaotic map and zigzag transform. The multilevel diffusion is performed using DNA multiplication and DNA ADD operation. To verify the integrity the SHA‐512 is employed. All DNA coding, and DNA decoding rules are employed dynamically to generate the encrypted medical image. The introduced multilevel cryptosystem provide better security analysis for medical image transmission. The proposed method is implemented in MATLAB software. The performance of proposed approach is associated with existing approaches in terms of evaluating parameters like NPCR (number of pixel changing rate), UACI (unified average changed intensity), correlation coefficient and time taken in seconds. Hence it proves the performance and efficiency of the proposed method are high as compared to the existing methods. The proposed approach also improves the security level and offers integrity and confidentiality, and provide better medical image for encryption with less time complexity.
Study of Calcium Signaling in Astrocytes with a Novel Endoplasmic Reticulum–Targeted GCaMP Sensor
Authors: Aryal Surya P. , Xia Mengfan , Ortinski Pavel I. , Richards Christopher I.
Published: August 2022

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER), the major organelle for the storage of Ca2+, maintains a concentration of Ca2+ much higher than in the cytosol or other subcellular organelles, such as the mitochondria. A variety of tools have been developed for measuring Ca2+ activity in neuronal and glial cells, but most of these sensors target either the plasma membrane (PM) or the cytosol. Though these sensors are important for measuring Ca2+ transients, they lack the capability to measure activity in the periphery of the ER or to measure low‐amplitude events resulting from Ca2+ exchange between the ER and other organelles, such as the mitochondria. We recently developed an ER‐targeted GCaMP6f anchored to the cytosolic side of the ER that can measure minute calcium exchange occurring in this region. In this article, we discuss detailed methods to characterize the ER‐GCaMP6f sensor, utilize it for calcium imaging in cultured astrocytes, and assess its expression and calcium imaging in astrocytes in rodent brains. © 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol 1: Expression and characterization of ER‐GCaMP6f

Support Protocol 1: ER‐GCaMP6f‐expressing stable cell line generation

Basic Protocol 2: In vitro calcium imaging with ER‐GCaMP6f

Support Protocol 2: Imaging of drug‐induced calcium activity

Alternate Protocol 1: Transduction of astrocytes with ER‐GCaMP6f AAV

Alternate Protocol 2: Calcium imaging of astrocytes with Fluo‐4 AM

Basic Protocol 3: In vivo ER‐GCaMP6f expression and slice calcium imaging

Support Protocol 3: Pharmacological studies with 2‐APB in brain slices
Recent Progress on Phosphate Cathode Materials for Aqueous Zinc‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Ou Linna , Ou Huihuang , Qin Mulan , Liu Zhexuan , Fang Guozhao , Cao Xinxin , Liang Shuquan
Published: August 2022

Rechargeable zinc‐ion batteries (ZIBs) are attractive for large‐scale energy storage due to their superiority in resources, safety, and environmental friendliness. However, the lack of suitable ZIBs cathode materials limits their practical applications. In consideration of the excellent electrochemical performance of phosphate materials in monovalent ion (Li+, Na+) batteries, they were also employed as ZIBs cathode materials recently and performed well with high potential. But they also suffer from low capacity and poor conductivity, and the energy storage mechanism is not clear yet. This Review provides a state‐of‐the art overview on the developments of phosphate cathode materials in ZIBs, including NASICON‐type phosphates, fluorophosphates, olivine‐structured, layered‐structured, and novel‐structured phosphate materials mainly. This study presents the reaction mechanism and electrochemical performance of phosphate cathode materials in aqueous ZIBs, and future research directions are discussed, which are intended to provide guidance for exploring high‐potential cathode materials for ZIBs.
A novel model for detecting advanced fibrosis in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Yang Xinyu , Xia Mingfeng , Chang Xinxia , Zhu Xiaopeng , Sun Xiaoyang , Yang Yinqiu , Wang Liu , Liu Qiling , Zhang Yuying , Xu Yanlan , Lin Huandong , Liu Lin , Yao Xiuzhong , Hu Xiqi , Gao Jian , Yan Hongmei , Gao Xin , Bian Hua
Published: August 2022

Aims

The study aimed to develop a novel noninvasive model to detect advanced fibrosis based on routinely available clinical and laboratory tests.

Materials and Methods

A total of 309 patients who underwent liver biopsy were randomly divided into the estimation group (n = 201) and validation group (n = 108). The model was developed using multiple regression analysis in the estimation group and further verified in the validation group. Diagnostic accuracy was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.

Results

The model was named NAFLD Fibrosis Index (NFI): −10.844 + 0.046 × age − 0.01 × platelet count + 0.19 × 2h postprandial plasma glucose (PG) + 0.294 × conjugated bilirubin − 0.015 × ALT + 0.039 × AST + 0.109 × total iron binding capacity −0.033 × parathyroid hormone (PTH). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of NFI was 0.86 (95% CI: 0.79–0.93, p < 0.001) in the estimation group and 0.80 (95% CI: 0.69–0.91, p < 0.001) in the validation group, higher than NFS, FIB4, APRI, and BARD, and similar to FibroScan (NFI AUC = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.66–0.89, p = 0.001 vs. FibroScan AUC = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.62–0.90, p = 0.002). By applying the low cut‐off value (−2.756), advanced fibrosis could be excluded among 49.3% and 48% of patients in the estimation group (sensitivity: 93.1%, NPV: 97.9%, specificity: 55.2%, and PPV: 26.0%) and validation group (sensitivity: 81.3%, NPV: 94.2%, specificity: 53.3%, and PPV: 23.2%), respectively, allowing them to avoid liver biopsy.

Conclusions

The study has established a novel model for advanced fibrosis, the diagnostic accuracy of which is superior to the current clinical scoring systems and is similar to FibroScan.
Development of Electroanalytical Methods Using Different Electrodes for the Determination of Progesterone (P4) in Pharmaceutical Formulations and Human, Cow and Goat Milk
Authors: Cruz Victoria , Triviño Juan José , Arancibia Verónica
Published: August 2022

For the determination of progesterone (P4) electroanalytical studies were performed using mercury electrode (HMDE) and screen‐printed boron‐doped diamond electrode (BDD‐SPE). The effects of pH, supporting electrolyte, accumulation potential and time (Eacc, tacc) were studied in both systems. The optimum conditions were: i) HMDE: pH 7,0; Eacc: −0,1 V and tacc: 40 s, ii) BDD‐SPE: 0,5 mol L−1 H2SO4; Eacc: 0,0 V and tacc: 120 s. Under these conditions, the detection limit was 3.1 μg L−1 for HMDE and 45.6 μg L−1 for BDD‐SPE. Both methods were validated and applied in the P4 determination on pharmaceutical formulations and milk samples.
Electrokinetics in antimicrobial resistance analysis: A review
Authors: Zhang Junyan , Li Mengqi , Xu Runxin , Kapur Suman , Bombard Antonio , Song Yongxin
Published: August 2022

Infections caused by antimicrobial resistance are a serious problem in the world. Currently, commercial devices for antimicrobial susceptibility testing and resistant bacteria identification are time‐consuming. There is an urgent need to develop fast and accurate methods, especially in the process of sample pretreatment. Electrokinetic (EK) is a family of electric‐field‐based kinetic phenomena of fluid or embedded objects, and EK applications have been found in various fields. In this paper, EK bacteria manipulation, including enrichment and separation, is reviewed. Focus is given to the rapid electric‐based minimum inhibitory concentration measurement. The future directions and major challenges in this field are also outlined.
Lipidomic comparison of 2D and 3D colon cancer cell culture models
Authors: Tobias Fernando , Hummon Amanda B.
Published: August 2022

Altered lipid metabolism is one of the hallmarks of cancer. Cellular proliferation and de novo synthesis of lipids are related to cancer progression. In this study, we evaluated the lipidomic profile of two‐dimensional (2D) monolayer and multicellular tumor spheroids from the HCT 116 colon carcinoma cell line. We utilized serial trypsinization on the spheroid samples to generate three cellular populations representing the proliferative, quiescent, and necrotic regions of the spheroid. This analysis enabled a comprehensive identification and quantification of lipids produced in each of the spheroid layer and 2D cultures. We show that lipid subclasses associated with lipid droplets form in oxygen‐restricted and acidic regions of spheroids and are produced at higher levels than in 2D cultures. Additionally, sphingolipid production, which is implicated in cell death and survival pathways, is higher in spheroids relative to 2D cells. Finally, we show that increased numbers of lipids composed of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are produced in the quiescent and necrotic regions of the spheroid. The lipidomic signature for each region and cell culture type highlights the importance of understanding the spatial aspects of cancer biology. These results provide additional lipid biomarkers in colon cancer cells that can be further studied to target pivotal lipid production pathways.
Electrical activation of the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus modulates the neuronal activities of the subthalamic nucleus and the substantia nigra pars reticulata in anesthetized rats
Authors: Lin Muxin , Wang Ying , Wang Yi , Chen Fujun
Published: August 2022

The subthalamic nucleus (STN), substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr), and pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus (PPTg) are reciprocally connected brain regions that play significant roles in the motor control. However, the electrophysiological relationship among the STN, SNr, and PPTg remains controversial. The present study was designed to further explore the mutual electrophysiological relationship of these brain regions from the perspective of the PPTg–STN–SNr neural circuit. The neuronal activities in the STN and SNr were simultaneously recorded while the PPTg was stimulated in anesthetized rats. The activation of PPTg induced excitatory responses of both the STN and SNr neurons. Comparisons of excitation latencies between the STN and SNr were made to distinguish the excitation evoked from the PPTg–STN–SNr pathway. Additionally, two types of excitatory responses and various inhibitory responses with different latencies in the SNr were recorded. The SNr responses could also be classified into five different response categories, which might attribute to projections within different neural circuits. Neuronal recordings were analyzed in different electrophysiological features (i.e., interspike interval [ISI] mode, ISI asymmetry index, ISI coefficient of variance, firing rate, burst index, and trough peak duration), and different response patterns of neurons had their specific features in neuronal activities. These findings indicated the complex interactions among the STN, SNr, and PPTg electrophysiologically, and provided insights into exploring information transmission mechanisms underlying these circuits.
On‐Chip Plasmonic Vortex Interferometers
Authors: Lang Yuanhao , Xu Quan , Chen Xieyu , Han Jie , Jiang Xiaohan , Xu Yuehong , Kang Ming , Zhang Xueqian , Alù Andrea , Han Jiaguang , Zhang Weili
Published: August 2022

Since the late 19th century, enormous endeavors have been made in extending the scope and capability of optical interferometers. Recently, plasmonic vortices that strongly confine the orbital angular momentum to surface have attracted considerable attention. However, current research interests in this area have focused on the mechanisms and dynamics of polarization‐dependent single plasmonic vortex generation and evolution, while the interference between different plasmonic vortices for practical applications has been unexplored. Here, a method for flexible on‐chip spin‐to‐orbital angular momentum conversion is introduced, resulting in exotic interferograms. Based on this method, a new form of interferometers that is realized by the interference between customized plasmonic vortices is demonstrated. Within wavelength‐scale dimension, the proposed plasmonic vortex interferometers exhibit superior performance to directly measure the polarization state, spin and orbital angular momentum of incident beams. The proposed interferometry is straightforward and robust, and can be expected to be applied to different scenarios, fueling fundamental advances and applications alike.
Symmetric periodic solutions of symmetric Hamiltonians in 1 : 1 resonance
Authors: Pérez Rothen Yocelyn , Vidal Claudio
Published: August 2022

The aim of this work is to prove analytically the existence of symmetric periodic solutions of the family of Hamiltonian systems with Hamiltonian function
with three real parameters
, and
. Moreover, we characterize the stability of these periodic solutions as a function of the parameters. Also, we find a first‐order analytical approach of these symmetric periodic solutions. We emphasize that these families of periodic solutions are different from those that exist in the literature.
A hybrid technique employed for efficiency improvement of tandem perovskite solar cell
Authors: Subha T. D. , Arunachalaperumal C. , Subash T. D. , Jeepa K. J.
Published: August 2022

A hybrid approach is proposed for the influence of contact electrode and light power on the performance of tandem perovskite sun mobileular. The proposed hybrid method is the joint performance of human urbanization algorithm (HUA) and balancing composite motion optimization (BCMO); hence, it is known as HUA‐BCMO approach. The goal of the proposed system is (a) to analyze the layer composition of tandem perovskite solar mobileular, (b) to analyze the overall performance of formamidinium tin based totally perovskite sun mobileular, (c) to model an efficient hybrid sun mobileular, and (d) to examine the overall performance of the proposed sun mobileular. The impact of the absorber layer can be investigated and optimized the gadgets with the assist of HUA‐BCMO approach. Moreover, in this paper analyzed the impacts of various materials like electron transport layer, hole transport layer and the effect of back metal contact, absorber layer etc.  Molecular dynamic examine can be discovered that the thermal properties of perovskite layers can be favorable to the sun mobileular efficiency and overall performance. Moreover, the impact of temperature variation on sun mobileular is analyzed and overall efficiency can be explored. It is found that low defect density to obtain high device performance. The overall performance of the proposed hybrid approach can be applied on MATLAB platform and as compared with current techniques.
Narrative review of the prevalence and distribution of acute pain in children in the self‐care setting
Authors: Shinde Nutan , Kanabar Dipak J. , Miles Lisa J.
Published: August 2022

Acute pain among children is common, yet it may be underestimated and undertreated if the pain is not recognized. Assessing and managing pediatric pain can be complicated, and as such, measuring the prevalence of acute pain in children can be challenging. We sought to provide a consolidated review of the available data on the prevalence of commonly occurring acute pain in children in the self‐care setting. An extensive literature search was performed to determine the prevalence of acute pain at multiple bodily locations in children aged between 3 months and 18 years. We considered the influence of age, sex, and sociodemographic factors on prevalence estimates. We also sought to identify some of the challenges involved in assessing and managing pediatric pain, thus shedding light on areas where there may be clinical and medical unmet needs. In general, a high prevalence of acute pain in children was detected, particularly headache, menstruation‐related pain, and dental and back pain. Older age, female sex, and lower socioeconomic status were associated with increased pain prevalence. Risk factors were identified for all pain types and included psychological issues, stress, and unhealthy lifestyle habits. Owing to the heterogeneity in study populations, the prevalence estimates varied widely; there was also heterogeneity in the pain assessment tools utilized. The paucity of information regarding pain prevalence appears to be out of proportion with the burden of acute pain in children. This could indicate that clinicians may not be equipped with an optimal pain management strategy to guide their practice, especially regarding the use of developmentally appropriate pain assessment tools, without which prevalence data may not be captured. If acute pain is not accurately identified, it cannot be optimally treated. Further investigation is required to determine how the information from prevalence studies translates to the real‐world setting.
Field measurement of wind erosion flux and soil erodibility factors as affected by tillage and seasonal drought
Authors: Merrill Stephen D. , Zobeck Ted M. , Liebig Mark A.
Published: August 2022

During periods of no or low crop growth in dryland cropping systems, tillage can reduce residue coverage and thereby elevate wind erosion risk. We measured wind erosion on a silt loam, Haplustoll soil in North Dakota (456 mm precipitation yr–1) in response to levels of tillage applied once in spring during fallow following a small grain–sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) rotation. Treatments were no‐tillage (NT), one‐pass tandem disk tillage (TDT), and two‐pass offset disk tillage (ODT). Erosion flux was measured with sediment samplers near peripheries of >1‐ha replicated plots from May through September 2003 and 2004. Soil losses in ODT, TDT, and NT were 12.0, 4.8, and 2.1 Mg ha–1, respectively, in 2003 and 2.6, 1.6, and 1.4 Mg ha–1 in 2004. The greatest loss, 12.0 Mg ha–1, was equivalent to 1‐mm soil depth. The two‐ to fivefold greater erosion in 2003, a year with 2 mo of <30% of average precipitation, appears linked to a decline in residue coverage. Coverage remained about the same in NT and increased in tilled treatments during 2004 with more average precipitation. Our measurements of wind erosion have shown how the residue‐destroying effects of a single tillage event can be considerably exacerbated by a moderate, seasonal drought. This indicates the critical importance of NT for limiting soil and residue disturbance and reducing wind erosion risk from drought‐affected plant growth failure in semiarid cropping systems.
The role of emotion regulation in couples’ stress communication and dyadic coping responses
Authors: Falconier Mariana K. , Wojda‐Burlij Alexandra K. , Conway C. Andrew , Kim Jinhee
Published: August 2022

Partners’ ability to cope together in the face of stress—commonly known as dyadic coping (DC)—can promote individual and couple well‐being. However, little is known about the predictors of DC, including partners’ emotion regulation. This study examined (a) whether emotion regulation abilities are associated with partners’ DC responses, and (b) whether these associations are mediated by partners’ engagement in stress communication in a community sample of different‐gender couples (N = 239). Couples completed self‐report measures to assess their stress communication and DC responses (supportive, negative, and common DC) and six dimensions of emotion regulation (emotional awareness, acceptance, clarity, goal‐orientation, regulation strategies, and impulse control). Results from structural equation modelling analysis confirmed expected associations between stress communication and partners’ supportive and common DC responses. Additionally, only associations with women's emotion regulation emerged significant. First, women’s emotional awareness was associated with more supportive DC from men and common DC through increases in women’s stress communication. Second, women who endorsed emotional acceptance engaged in less supportive DC towards their partner. Third, women's goal‐orientation was associated with less supportive DC from each partner and common DC through decreases in men's stress communication. There were no associations with men's emotion regulation. Collectively, findings suggest that although women may manage their negative emotions in ways that are adaptive for their individual well‐being, these benefits may not always affect relationship functioning in the same way. Clinical implications and future research directions are discussed.
Eco‐friendly flame retardant epoxy nanocomposites based on polyphosphonate and halloysite nanotubes
Authors: Hamciuc Corneliu , Vlad‐Bubulac Tăchiță , Serbezeanu Diana , Lisa Gabriela , Anghel Ion , Preda Dana Maria
Published: August 2022

The preparation of a novel polyphosphonate (PSFR) is described here, starting from phenylphosphonic dichloride and an equimolecular mixture containing equal amounts of two bisphenols, namely 4,4′‐dihydroxydiphenyl sulfone and 2‐(6‐oxido‐6H‐dibenzo<1,2>oxaphosphorin‐6‐yl)‐1,4‐benzenediol, following the polycondensation reaction in solution. Then, new environmental‐friendly nanocomposites having improved flame retardancy have been prepared by incorporating PSFR and halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) into epoxy resin. The effect of PSFR and HNTs contents on the chemical and physical characteristics of epoxy nanocomposites was investigated. The success of the reactions was monitored by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) while microscopic related techniques (SEM) gave information on the morphology of the products. The thermosets exhibit glass transition temperatures in the range of 62.4–97.1°C and thermal decomposition temperatures in the interval of 296–359°C. The appearance of the char residues obtained by pyrolysis was studied by SEM measurements. The flammability behavior has been studied by microscale combustion calorimetry (MCC) tests. A considerable improvement in the flame retardancy of the thermosets was obtained by simultaneous incorporation of HNTs (10 wt%) and PSFR (equivalent of 1 wt% P) into epoxy resin.
SNPs Ability to Influence Disease Risk: Breaking the Silence on Synonymous Mutations in Cancer
Authors: Herreros Eduardo , Janssens Xander , Pepe Daniele , Keersmaecker Kim De
Published: August 2022

Cancer arises when normal cells are transformed into malignant cells by acquiring a number of hallmarks such as sustained proliferative signaling; evading cell death, growth suppression and immune destruction; replicative immortality; and activation of invasion and metastasis (Hanahan et al. 2000, 2011). Sequential accumulation of genetic mutations is a major cause of acquiring these cancer hallmarks in the cell transformation process, and hence a complete characterization of the landscape of pathogenic somatic and congenital mutations in cancer cells forms a holy grail to fully understand cancer biology. Indeed, a lot of effort has gone towards characterizing somatic missense and nonsense single nucleotide variants in the protein coding regions of the genome that result in amino acid substitutions, small insertions and deletions, or a premature STOP codon in the encoded protein. Synonymous mutations on the other hand, nucleotide changes that do not result in an amino acid change in the protein for which they encode, have previously attracted significantly less at attention as candidate cancer driver mutations. However, in a variety of other diseases such as cystic fibrosis, ataxia telangiectasia and even in hereditary cancer syndromes, a causative role for synonymous mutations in disease pathogenesis has been described (Sauna et al. 2011). In addition, the number of synonymous mutations that have a significant impact on the corresponding RNA and protein expression level or isoform in different cancer types is rapidly rising. It is thus becoming clear that there might be a significant fraction of synonymous mutations that are not as ‘silent’ as they have long been considered to be. In this chapter, we will discuss why synonymous mutations have received little attention in the context of cancer. Furthermore, we will describe the recent progress that was made in characterizing the landscape of oncogenic synonymous mutations as well as the variety of molecular mechanisms by which synonymous mutations affect RNA and protein expression levels of oncogenes and tumor suppressors.
Teaching Groundwater Flow and Contaminant Transport Modeling via a Sand-Tank Model
Authors: Li Liangping , Davis Arden D.
Published: August 2022

In this study, a sand-tank model as a physical analog of a real-world aquifer is presented for groundwater instruction. The sand tank is used for introducing flow nets and quantifying groundwater flow, for groundwater modeling and calibration via a spreadsheet, and for dye-transport modeling. Students learn from the sand tank through interaction and visualization, and by collecting and interpreting data. This integrates the theories from lectures into the sand-tank laboratories, enhancing students’ skills and understanding.
Development of a kriging-based regional flood frequency analysis technique for South-East Australia
Authors: Ali Sabrina , Rahman Ataur
Published: August 2022

Flood is one of the most common natural disasters, which also triggers other natural disasters such as erosion and landslides. Flood damage can be minimised by ensuring optimum design of drainage infrastructure and other flood management tasks, which depends largely on reliable estimation of flood quantiles. This study investigates flood quantile estimation in ungauged catchments using a kriging-based regional flood frequency analysis (RFFA) technique. Three main research objectives are addressed in this study. Firstly, kriging-based RFFA models are developed using 558 catchments from eastern Australia in the range of frequent to rare flood quantiles (2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 years of average recurrence intervals (ARIs)). Secondly, a validation of the models by adopting a leave-one-out (LOO) validation technique is undertaken to identify the best and the worst performing catchments across eastern Australia. Finally, a detailed comparison is made for the kriging-based RFFA technique with a generalised least-squares-based quantile regression technique, known as ‘RFFE model 2016’ using the same dataset to evaluate whether there are general patterns of the performance in different catchments. The study shows that for eastern Australia (a) the developed kriging-based RFFA model is a viable alternative for flood quantile estimation in ungauged catchments, (b) the 10-year ARI model Q10 performs best among the six quantiles, which is followed by the models Q5 and Q20, and (c) the kriging-based RFFA model is found to outperform the ‘RFFE model 2016’.
Combination of humic biostimulants with a microbial inoculum improves lettuce productivity, nutrient uptake, and primary and secondary metabolism
Authors: Savarese Claudia , Cozzolino Vincenza , Verrillo Mariavittoria , Vinci Giovanni , De Martino Antonio , Scopa Antonio , Piccolo Alessandro
Published: August 2022

Background and aims

Biostimulants of natural origin represent a growing ecological strategy to increase crops productivity, especially when applied in combination with microbial bioeffectors. We studied the effect of biostimulants such as Potassium Humates (KH) from Leonardite and Compost Tea (CT) from green compost on both productivity and nutritional status of lettuce plants, as well as on the primary and secondary metabolism of treated plants, when amended either alone or in combination with a commercial microbial inoculum (M+), mainly based on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Micosat TabPlus).

Results

The biomass production as well as the uptake of both macro- and micronutrients by lettuce plants significantly increased when amended by the mixture of both humic materials (MIX) combined with the microbial inoculum. Similarly, the synergic MIX_M+ treatment significantly affected both the primary and secondary metabolism of lettuce more than their individual applications, by increasing, respectively, the biosynthesis of essential amino acids and carbohydrates, and that of antioxidant polyphenolic compounds, such as hydroxycinnamic acids, flavonols and coumarins.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that a calibrated mixture of humic bioactive molecules in combination with microbial consortia represents a potential tool to improve crop productivity and its nutritional and metabolic status.
Were small businesses more likely to permanently close in the pandemic?
Authors: Fairlie Robert , Fossen Frank M. , Johnsen Reid , Droboniku Gentian
Published: August 2022

Previous estimates indicate that COVID-19 led to a large drop in the number of operating businesses operating early in the pandemic, but surprisingly little is known on whether these shutdowns turned into permanent closures and whether small businesses were disproportionately hit. This paper provides the first analysis of permanent business closures using confidential administrative firm-level panel data covering the universe of businesses filing sales taxes from the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. We find large increases in closure rates in the first two quarters of 2020, but a strong reversal of this trend in the third quarter of 2020. The increase in closures rates in the first two quarters of the pandemic was substantially larger for small businesses than large businesses, but the rebound in the third quarter was also larger. The disproportionate closing of small businesses led to a sharp concentration of market share among larger businesses as indicated by the Herfindahl–Hirschman Index with only a partial reversal after the initial increase. The findings highlight the fragility of small businesses during a large adverse shock and the consequences for the competitiveness of markets.
Normativity in social accounts of reasoning: a Rylean approach
Authors: Kalis Annemarie
Published: August 2022

In recent years, the philosophy and psychology of reasoning have made a ‘social turn’: in both disciplines it is now common to reject the traditional picture of reasoning as a solitary intellectual exercise in favour of the idea that reasoning is a social activity driven by social aims. According to the most prominent social account, Mercier and Sperber’s interactionist theory, this implies that reasoning is not a normative activity. As they argue, in producing reasons we are not trying to ‘get things right’; instead our aims are to justify ourselves and persuade others to accept our views. I will argue that even if interactionism has played a crucial role in bringing about the ‘social turn’ in our thinking about reasoning, it does not convince in its claim that reasoning is not a normative activity. Moreover, I argue that it is in fact perfectly possible to understand reasoning as a social tool that is also aimed at getting things right. I will propose that Gilbert Ryle’s conceptualization of reasoning as ‘didactic discourse’ offers one possible way to understand reasoning as both social and normative activity, and that as such his ideas could be of great value for the social turn in our thinking about reasoning.
Large area, stretchable, wearable, screen-printed carbon heaters for use in elite sport
Authors: Claypole Andrew , Claypole James , Leeder Jonathan , Stevens Greg , Johnson Fiona , Bezodis Neil , Parker Matt , Claypole Tim , Gethin David , Kilduff Liam
Published: August 2022

Stretchable, nanocarbon heaters were screen-printed onto a stretchable film to create a passive heat maintenance device for elite sport. The heat uniformity and the temperature performance of these lightweight, large area electrothermal heaters were evaluated over a range of applied voltages using thermal imaging. The heaters provided a uniform heat over the 15 × 4 cm area with temperatures of 39°C, 54°C, and 72°C at 10, 15, and 20 V, respectively, within 150 s of being switched on. Tensile testing was used to examine the performance of the heaters under strain. At 20% nominal strain, the heaters gave a uniform heat output and a temperature of 44°C at 15 V, making it a promising candidate for wearable applications. The heaters were capable of maintaining temperatures of 40°C over 10 cyclic strains up to 10% nominal strain. The heaters were integrated into a proof-of-concept stretchable base-layer garment, with the effect of the heaters on skin temperature measured and thermal sensation evaluated during a simulated training session in an environmental chamber at an ambient temperature 0°C. The printed heaters maintained skin temperature and thermal sensation when compared with an unheated control.
miRNA-23b-5p affects the proliferation, migration and invasion of osteosarcoma by targeting TMEM127
Authors: Zu Dan , Dong Qi , Yao Jun , Chen Sunfang , Fang Bin , Ma Jun , Wu Bing
Published: August 2022

Background

Osteosarcoma (OS) has become one of the highest mortality cancers in the world due to its late diagnosis, rapid metastasis and rapid recurrence. MicroRNAs can regulate a variety of signaling pathwas involved in cancer development, such as cell proliferation, apoptosis and migration.

Objective

In this study, we studied the biological effects and molecular regulation of mir-23b-5p on human osteosarcoma cells.

Methods

The proliferation of mir-23b-5p in osteosarcoma was measured by CCK8 method and EDU method. In addition, the target population was screened through the database, and the luciferase reporter gene was used to determine the association between miRNA and target gene TMEM127. We verified this result by Western blot.

Results

We found that mir-23b-5p promotes the progression of osteosarcoma by regulating TMEM127.

Conclusions

The results of this study show that mir-23b-5p affects the proliferation, metastasis and invasion of OS by targeting TMEM127.
An enabling Framework for Blockchain in Tourism
Authors: Balasubramanian Sreejith , Sethi Jaspreet Singh , Ajayan Shalini , Paris Cody Morris
Published: August 2022

This viewpoint article proposes an enabling framework that identifies the use of various blockchain technologies in tourism and their applications (digitalization, automation, disintermediation, and intelligent environment) across the different stages of travel (pre-trip, during the trip, and post-trip). As we know, the tourism sector contributes immensely to world GDP and job creation. However, the COVID-19 pandemic, even after two years since it first appeared, continues to adversely impact the tourism prospects of countries across the world due to nationwide lockdowns and travel restrictions. As the world tries to adapt to the “new normal,“ the tourism sector is forced to re-think its ways of doing business and bring about innovations to facilitate the new norms of contactless and safe transactions. Also, the sector, more than ever, need to effectively deal with its inherent challenges such as transparency and credibility of information, fraudulent practices, opportunistic behavior of intermediaries, and foreign currency risks. Blockchain technology can transform the tourism sector by offering innovative solutions that address its pressing issues. However, our current understanding of blockchain application in tourism is quite limited, with previous work being largely fragmented and narrow in terms of both scope and application. We foresee that the insights offered in this viewpoint, including the framework, will advance both theory and practice and facilitate the implementation of blockchain-enabled solutions across different travel stages.
Kinetic field theory for cosmic structure formation
Authors: Konrad Sara , Bartelmann Matthias
Published: August 2022

We apply kinetic field theory to non-linear cosmic structure formation. Kinetic field theory decomposes the cosmic density field into particles and follows their trajectories through phase space. We assume that initial particle momenta are drawn from a Gaussian random field. We place particular emphasis on the late-time, asymptotic behaviour on small spatial scales of low-order statistical measures for the distribution of particles in configuration and velocity space. Our main result is that the power spectra for density and velocity fluctuations in ensembles of particles freely streaming along Zel’dovich trajectories asymptotically fall off with wave numberklike$$k^{-3}$$k-3for$$k\rightarrow \infty $$k→∞, irrespective of the cosmological model and the type of dark matter assumed, with the exponent set only by the number of spatial dimensions. This conclusion remains valid for density-fluctuation power spectra if particle interactions are taken into account in a mean-field approximation. We also show that the bispectrum of freely streaming particles falls off asymptotically like$$k^{-11/2}$$k-11/2under the same general conditions.