bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Willingness to share data: Contextual determinants of consumers' decisions to share private data with companies
Authors: Ackermann Kurt Alexander , Burkhalter Linda , Mildenberger Thoralf , Frey Martin , Bearth Angela
Published: November 2021

In the age of digitalization, customer and consumer data have become a valuable source of information for companies. However, to obtain these data, companies depend on peoples' willingness to share (WTS) their private data with them. By means of a large‐scale online experiment with more than 20,000 participants, we investigated the extent to which peoples' WTS private data is affected by contextual factors. We complement and extend previous research by (i) simultaneously addressing several contextual factors that companies can largely control themselves, (ii) comparing their relative impacts on WTS, and (iii) explicitly examining interactions between these contextual factors in addition to their specific univariate effects. Concretely, we investigate contextual factors, such as the type of data requested, the purpose for which the data are used, the industry sector a corresponding company belongs to, the type of compensation offered for the shared data, and the degree to which the data allows for personal identification. Our data suggest that all these factors do affect peoples' WTS significantly, while there are also multiple significant interaction effects between these contextual factors. For instance, we found that a better intuitive match between the core business a company is engaged in and the type of data that is requested, results in higher proportions of people who are willing to share the corresponding data with the corresponding company. Hence, companies may benefit from tuning their requests for consumer or customer data according to the specific context in which they operate.
Ge‐Substituted Hierarchical Ferrierite for n‐Pentane Cracking to Light Olefins: Mechanistic Investigations via In‐situ DRIFTS Studies and DFT Calculations
Authors: Rodaum Chadatip , Thivasasith Anawat , Iadrat Ploychanok , Kidkhunthod Pinit , Pengpanich Sitthiphong , Wattanakit Chularat
Published: November 2021

The development of heterogeneous catalysts for light olefin production via a catalytic cracking has been crucially important due to the high demand of related products in industrial applications. Herein, we report the structural analysis of a germanium‐substituted hierarchical ferrierite zeolite obtained by one‐pot synthesis. This is the first report on an investigation of the synergistic effect of hierarchical structures and the one‐pot Ge‐substitution in a ferrierite framework on the catalytic cracking mechanism. Our findings exhibit that the existence of germanium in a hierarchical ferrierite framework can indeed reduce the Brønsted acid strength, facilitating a catalytic reaction with high light olefin selectivity (63 %) due to the elimination of side reactions, such as dimerization and aromatization, confirmed by in‐situ DRIFTS and DFT studies. This opens up the perspective of the development of metal substitution in an interconnected 8‐ and 10‐pore framework with hierarchical structures on the catalytic behaviors of light olefin production.
Pushing the Limits of Characterising a Weak Halogen Bond in Solution
Authors: Peintner Stefan , Erdélyi Máté
Published: November 2021

Detection and characterisation of very weak, non‐covalent interactions in solution is inherently challenging. Low affinity, short complex lifetime and a constant battle against entropy brings even the most sensitive spectroscopic methods to their knees. Herein we introduce a strategy for the accurate experimental description of weak chemical forces in solution. Its scope is demonstrated by the detailed geometric and thermodynamic characterisation of the weak halogen bond of a non‐fluorinated aryl iodide and an ether oxygen (0.6 kJ mol−1). Our approach makes use of the entropic advantage of studying a weak force intramolecularly, embedded into a cooperatively folding system, and of the combined use of NOE‐ and RDC‐based ensemble analyses to accurately describe the orientation of the donor and acceptor sites. Thermodynamic constants (ΔG, ΔH and ΔS), describing the specific interaction, were derived from variable temperature chemical shift analysis. We present a methodology for the experimental investigation of remarkably weak halogen bonds and other related weak forces in solution, paving the way for their improved understanding and strategic use in chemistry and biology.
2′,3′‐Cyclic GMP‐AMP Dinucleotides for STING‐Mediated Immune Modulation: Principles, Immunotherapeutic Potential, and Synthesis
Authors: Shang Mengdi , Lu Kuan , Guan Wenli , Cao Shujie , Ren Mengtian , Zhou Chuanzheng
Published: November 2021

The cGAS‐STING pathway discovered ten years ago is an important component of the innate immune system. Activation of cGAS‐STING triggers downstream signalling, such as TBK1‐IRF3, NF‐κB and autophagy, which in turn leads to antipathogen responses, durable antitumour immunity or autoimmune diseases. 2′,3′‐Cyclic GMP‐AMP dinucleotides (2′,3′‐cGAMP), the key second messengers produced by cGAS, play a pivotal role in cGAS‐STING signalling by binding and activating STING. Thus, 2′,3′‐cGAMP has immunotherapeutic potential, which in turn has stimulated research on the design and synthesis of 2′,3′‐cGAMP analogues for clinical applications over the past ten years. This review presents the discovery, metabolism, and function of 2′,3′‐cGAMP in the cGAS‐STING innate immune signalling axis. The enzymatic and chemical syntheses of 2′,3′‐cGAMP analogues as STING‐targeting therapeutics are also summarized.
A heterogeneous model of endovascular devices for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms
Authors: Berod Alain , Chnafa Christophe , Mendez Simon , Nicoud Franck
Published: November 2021

Numerical computations of hemodynamics inside intracranial aneurysms treated by endovascular braided devices such as flow‐diverters contribute to understanding and improving such treatment procedures. Nevertheless, these simulations yield high computational and meshing costs due to the heterogeneity of length scales between the dense weave of the fine struts of the device and the arterial volume. Homogeneous strategies developed over the last decade to circumvent this issue substitute local dissipations due to the wires with a global effect in the form of a pressure‐drop across the device surface. However, these methods cannot accurately reproduce the flow‐patterns encountered near the struts, the latter strongly dictating the intra‐saccular flow environment. In this work, a versatile theoretical framework which aims at correctly reproducing the local flow heterogeneities due to the wires while keeping memory consumption, meshing and computational times as low as possible is introduced. This model reproduces the drag forces exerted by the device struts onto the fluid, thus producing local and heterogeneous effects on the flow. Extensive validation for various flow and geometric configurations using an idealized device is performed. To further illustrate the method capabilities, a real patient‐specific aneurysm endovascularly treated with a flow‐diverter is used, enabling quantitative comparisons with classical approaches for both intra‐saccular velocities and computational costs reduction. The proposed heterogeneous model endeavors to bridge the gap between computational fluid dynamics and clinical applications and ushers in a new era of numerical treatment planning with minimally costing computational tools.
SI‐EDTL: Swarm intelligence ensemble deep transfer learning for multiple vehicle detection inUAVimages
Authors: Ghasemi Darehnaei Zeinab , Shokouhifar Mohammad , Yazdanjouei Hossein , Rastegar Fatemi Seyed Mohammad Jalal
Published: November 2021

This article proposes a swarm intelligence ensemble deep transfer learning (named SI‐EDTL) for multiple vehicle detection in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) images. This method is based on Faster regional‐based convolutional neural networks (Faster R‐CNN), in which, a set of region proposals are extracted using region proposal network (RPN), and then, CNN is used to mine highly descriptive features of these windows to classify regions. We use three Faster R‐CNNs as feature extractors (InceptionV3, ResNet50, and GoogLeNet) that have already pre‐trained on ImageNet data, combined with five transfer classifiers (KNN, SVM, MLP, C4.5 Decision Tree, and Naïve Bayes). As a result, 15 different base learners are trained through deep transfer learning on a UAV dataset to classify the region proposals into multiple vehicles (car, van, truck, and bus). We combine these 15 base learners through a weighted averaging aggregation into four vehicle classes or no vehicle (background). Hyperparameters of the ensemble model are tuned using whale optimization algorithm, to achieve the best trade‐off between total accuracy, precision, and recall. The proposed SI‐EDTL model has been successfully developed using parallel processing in MATLAB R2020b. Experimental results on AU‐AIR dataset of UAV images demonstrate the superiority of the SI‐EDTL model against existing techniques.
The effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy upon weight management and psychological well‐being of adults with overweight or obesity: A systematic review
Authors: Iturbe Idoia , Echeburúa Enrique , Maiz Edurne
Published: November 2021

Several studies have examined acceptance and commitment therapy's (ACT) effectiveness for addressing physical and psychological distress people with obesity can face. Nevertheless, no review focusing specifically on ACT analysing randomized controlled trials (RCT) has been done up to date in this field. The present systematic review was developed following the PRISMA statement and aimed to examine ACT's effects on weight management and psychological well‐being of adults with overweight or obesity. A conjunction of keywords related to ACT and excess weight was searched in four databases (Medline, PubMed, Psycinfo and Scopus) for articles meeting inclusion criteria. The literature search yielded 2,074 papers, and 16 were included in the review, finally. In 71.43% of the studies, ACT was effective to enhance psychological well‐being; in 50% effectively targeted process variables and health behaviours related to weight management; in 31.82% of studies, physical variables were improved; and 21.38% of studies showed evidence in favour of ACT for eating behaviour modification. The present review supports ACT for promoting emotional aspects of individuals immersed in such weight‐related battles and highlights the benefits of psychological well‐being‐oriented ACT in the context of obesity treatment. More studies targeting psychological well‐being primarily and with longer follow‐ups are required.
Electrified Conversion of Contaminated Water to Value: Selective Conversion of Aqueous Nitrate to Ammonia in a Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Cell
Authors: Bunea Sorin , Clemens Kevin , Urakawa Atsushi
Published: November 2021

The application of a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) electrolytic cell for continuous conversion of nitrate, one of the contaminants in water, to ammonia at the cathode was explored in the present work. Among carbon‐supported metal (Cu, Ru, Rh and Pd) electrocatalysts, the Ru‐based catalyst showed the best performance. By suppressing the competing hydrogen evolution reaction at the cathode, it was possible to reach 94 % faradaic efficiency for nitrate reduction towards ammonium. It was important to match the rate of the anodic reaction with the cathodic reaction to achieve high faradaic efficiency. By recirculating the effluent stream, 93 % nitrate conversion was achieved in 8 h of constant current electrolysis at 10 mA cm−2 current density. The presented approach offers a promising path towards precious NH3 production from nitrate‐containing water that needs purification or can be obtained after capture of gaseous NOx pollutants into water, leading to waste‐to‐value conversion.
Optimal precoders and power splitting factors in multiuser multiple‐input multiple‐output cognitive decode‐and‐forward relay systems with wireless energy harvesting
Authors: Hoang Kha Ha
Published: November 2021

This paper considers an underlay cognitive radio (CR) wireless network with the assistance of a two‐hop decode‐and‐forward (DF) relay node. Different from the conventional CR relay networks, in this paper, the relay node using power‐splitting (PS) techniques harvests wireless energy transmitted from the secondary base station (SBS) and, then, uses its harvested energy to forward the received signals to multiple secondary receive users (SRUs). Due to the highly mutual dependence of the transmission strategies at nodes on the system performance, the optimal design of signal processing at transceivers to efficiently handle the interference and energy constraints is crucial. This paper studies the jointly optimal design of the precoders, PS factors to maximize the minimum user rate under the transmit power, harvested energy, and interference power constraints. Owing to the nonlinearly and mutually coupled design matrix variables in both objective function and constraints, the joint design of the precoders and PS factors for the concerned problem is mathematically challenging. To tackle these difficulties, we devise the appropriate surrogate functions to recast the nonconvex optimization problem into the convex one. By using the minorization–maximization framework, an efficient iterative algorithm with provable convergence is developed by solving the convex optimization problem in each iteration. Numerical results are provided to evaluate the achievable user rate performance of the considered system and investigate the effects of the interference power thresholds at the primary receive users and the number of antennas at the SBS and the relay on the minimum achievable user rate.
Easily Obtaining Excellent Performance High‐voltage LiCoO2 via Pr6O11 Modification
Authors: Huang Yongcong , Xu Chenjie , Gao Jingguo , Shen Liao , Liu Qian , Zhao Guiying , Xie Qingshui , Lin Yingbin , Li Jiaxin , Huang Zhigao
Published: November 2021

Developing an effective method to synthesize high‐performance high‐voltage LiCoO2 is essential for its industrialization in lithium batteries (LIBs). This work proposes a simple mass‐produced strategy for the first time, that is, negative temperature coefficient thermosensitive Pr6O11 nanoparticles are uniformly modified on LiCoO2 to prepare LiCoO2@Pr6O11 (LCO@PrO) via a liquid‐phase mixing combined with annealing method. Tested at 274 mA g−1, the modified LCO@PrO electrodes deliver excellent 4.5 V high‐voltage cycling performance with capacity retention ratios of 90.8% and 80.5% at 25 and 60 °C, being much larger than those of 22.8% and 63.2% for bare LCO electrodes. Several effective strategies were used to clearly unveil the performance enhancement mechanism induced by Pr6O11 modification. It is discovered that Pr6O11 can improve interface compatibility, exhibit improved conductivity at elevated temperature, thus enhance the Li+ diffusion kinetics, and suppress the phase transformation of LCO and its resulting mechanical stresses. The 450 mAh LCO@PrO‖graphite pouch cells show excellent LIB performance and improved thermal safety characteristics. Importantly, the energy density of such pouch cell was increased even by ~42% at 5 C. This extremely convenient technology is feasible for producing high‐energy density LIBs with negligible cost increase, undoubtedly providing important academic inspiration for industrialization.
Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes/4,4′‐Dihydroxybiphenyl Nanolayered Composite for Voltammetric Detection of Phenol
Authors: Narouie S. , Rounaghi G. H. , Saravani H. , Shahbakhsh M.
Published: November 2021

This paper reports the preparation of multiwalled carbon nanotubes/4,4′‐dihydroxybiphenyl (MWCNTs‐DHB) nanolayered composite as a new modifier for modification of carbon paste electrode (CPE/MWCNTs‐DHB). CPE/MWCNTs‐DHB shows linear responses for phenol in the concentrations range of 0.04–220 μM with a current sensitivity of 0.67 μA μM−1 and a detection limit of 8.0 nM (S/N=3). The electrode shows high selectivity, good repeatability (RSD=4.1 %), excellent reproducibility (RSD=3.5 %), and acceptable stability (91.2 % over one‐month storage). Moreover, the modified CPE exhibits appreciable recoveries (93.0–104.0 %) indicating its acceptable performance for determination of phenol in tap and river water samples.
The eigen higher criticism and eigen Berk–Jones tests for multiple trait association studies based on GWAS summary statistics
Authors: Liu Wei , Xu Yuyang , Wang Anqi , Huang Tao , Liu Zhonghua
Published: November 2021

In this article, we propose the eigen higher criticism and the eigen Berk–Jones testing procedures to test the association between a single genetic variant and multiple correlated traits based on summary statistics from single‐trait genome‐wide association studies. Since the association pattern between each genetic variant and multiple traits varies across the whole genome, we further develop an omnibus (OMNI) test using the aggregated Cauchy association test to achieve more robust performance. The p values of our proposed tests can be computed analytically, thus, our methods are appealing in large‐scale multiple phenotype association studies. Through extensive simulation studies, we found that all of our proposed tests can maintain the correct type I error rates and our proposed tests have greater power in certain settings. In addition, the OMNI test can always provide robust power performance across a wide range of scenarios. We apply the proposed tests to the Global Lipids Genetics Consortium summary statistics data set and identify additional genetic variants that were missed by the original single‐trait analyses. We also develop an R package EBMMT publicly available at https://github.com/Vivian-Liu-Wei64/EBMMT.
Functional swallowing outcomes related to radiation exposure to dysphagia and aspiration‐related structures in patients with head and neck cancer undergoing definitive and postoperative intensity‐modulated radiotherapy
Authors: Charters Emma , Bogaardt Hans , Clark Jonathan , Milross Chris , Freeman‐Sanderson Amy , Ballard Kirrie , Britton Rafe , McCabe Natalie , Davis Hannah , Sullivan Tom , Wu Raymond
Published: November 2021

Background

The relationship between swallowing outcomes and radiotherapy dose to dysphagia and aspiration‐related structures (DARS) may be different following definitive versus postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) for mucosal head and neck cancer (HNC) and has not been well‐studied.

Method

Patient‐ and clinician‐reported swallowing measures were prospectively collected at six time points from baseline to 24 months postradiotherapy HNC. Radiotherapy plans were retrospectively analyzed to assess dose delivered to DARS. The association between swallowing outcomes and participant demographics, tumor characteristics, and radiotherapy dose in definitive and postoperative treatment cohorts was assessed.

Results

Ninety‐three participants who received radiotherapy for HNC were included in the analysis (n = 49 definitive radiotherapy for laryngeal/pharyngeal primary tumors and n = 44 postoperative PORT for predominantly oral cavity/salivary gland tumors). Participants undergoing PORT had lower doses to DARS than those undergoing definitive RT. High dose to the pharyngeal constrictors and base of tongue for definitive RT and the esophageal inlet, supraglottic larynx and cervical esophagus for the PORT group were associated with worse swallowing function.

Conclusion

Radiation dose to DARS is associated with post‐treatment swallowing outcomes. These dose/outcome relationships may vary between the definitive and postoperative settings.
Oral squamous cell carcinoma outcome in adolescent/young adult: Systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Kaminagakura Estela , Tango Rubens Nisie , Cruz‐Perez Danyel , Bonan Roberta , Yamamoto de Almeida Luciana , de Almeida Lança Maria Letícia , Bonan Paulo , Martins Hélder , Takahama Ademar , Ito Fábio Augusto , Coutinho‐Camillo Cláudia Malheiros , Lourenço Silvia Vanessa , Caneppele Taciana , Sikora Andrew G. , Kowalski Luiz Paulo , Young Simon
Published: November 2021

To perform a systematic review focusing on the prognosis of oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in young patients (≤40 years old) compared to older (>40 years old). Four databases were used in our search strategy. First, all titles were systematically organized using the Covidence platform online. In the second phase, 118 full texts of potentially eligible studies were analyzed by reviewers independently and in pairs. Twelve studies were considered eligible for data extraction. The relapse was higher in the young than in controls (pooled relative risk (RR) = 1.31; 95% CI [1.10–1.56]). The 5‐year disease‐free survival (DFS) was worse in young group (pooled hazard ratio (HR) = 0.73; 95% CI [0.63–0.85]) but the 5‐year overall survival (OS) estimate was similar between the groups (pooled HR = 0.84; 95% CI [0.70–1.00]). While the 5‐year OS was similar between groups, the number of relapses and 5‐year DFS were worse in patients with OSCC ≤40 years old.
Self‐reported behaviour change among multiple sclerosis community members and interested laypeople following participation in a free online course about multiple sclerosis
Authors: Claflin Suzi B. , Mainsbridge Casey , Campbell Julie , Klekociuk Shannon , Taylor Bruce V.
Published: November 2021

Issue addressed

Evaluated the impact of Understanding Multiple Sclerosis (MS) massive open online course, which was intended to increase understanding and awareness about MS, on self‐reported health behaviour change.

Methods

Observational cohort study evaluating pre‐ (baseline) and post‐course (8‐10‐week follow‐up) survey data. The main study outcomes were self‐reported health behaviour change, change type and measurable improvement. We also collected participant characteristic data (eg, age, physical activity). We compared participants who reported health behaviour change at follow‐up to those who did not and compared those who improved with those who did not using chi square and t tests. Participant characteristics, change types and change improvement were described descriptively.

Results

A total of N = 560 course completers were included in this study. The study cohort included MS community members (eg, people with MS, health care providers) and nonmembers. Two hundred and forty‐seven (44.1%) reported behaviour change in ≥1 area at follow‐up, 160 (64.8%) reported a measurable change and, of these, 109 (68.1%) showed improvement. Participants who reported a change and those who improved had significantly lower precourse health behaviours and characteristics (eg, quality of life, diet quality). The most reported change types were knowledge, exercise/physical activity, diet and care practice.

Conclusion

Understanding MS encourages health behaviour change among course completers, primarily through the provision of information and goal‐setting activities and discussions.

So what?

An online education intervention can effectively encourage health behaviour change over an 8‐10‐week follow‐up period. Information provision, including both scientific evidence and lived experience, and goal‐setting activities and discussions are the primary mechanisms underpinning that change.
A comparison of development‐matched and age‐matched targets on play skills of children with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Pane Heather M. , Sidener Tina M. , Reeve Sharon A. , Kisamore April , Nirgudkar Anjalee
Published: November 2021

Although neurotypical children often spend the majority of their time engaged in play activities, children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can present with substantial delays in the development of play skills, requiring intensive intervention. Although targets for language and basic learning skills are often selected based on the development of neurotypical children (e.g., Sundberg, 2008), little research has been conducted on methods for selecting play skill targets. The current study compared acquisition of play skills that were development‐matched (DM) and age‐matched (AM) with 4 children diagnosed with ASD. Targets were selected based on the results of the Developmental Play Assessment (DPA; Lifter, 2008). No contrived prompts or consequences were used to teach play skills in either condition. Generalization was programmed for by teaching with 3 sets of toys in both conditions. All participants demonstrated acquisition of DM play targets and generalization to novel toys; none of the participants acquired AM play targets.
Explaining civic engagement: The role of neighborhood ties, place attachment, and civic responsibility
Authors: Dang Lisa , Seemann Ann‐Kathrin , Lindenmeier Jörg , Saliterer Iris
Published: November 2021

This study examines whether neighborhood ties (comprising neighborhood trust and neighborhood friendship), place attachment, and civic responsibility influence a person's decision to engage in neighborly civic activities. Three personality traits were added to the model as potential moderators: egoism, altruism, and fear of negative evaluation. Using data from a survey of German citizens (n = 610), the structural equation model adopted revealed that place attachment and civic responsibility (partially) mediate the effect of neighborhood trust (neighborhood friendship) on local civic engagement intention. Furthermore, egoism negatively moderates the relationship between civic responsibility and engagement intention.
Serum Meteorin‐like is associated with weight loss in the elderly patients with chronic heart failure
Authors: Cai Juan , Wang Qi‐Ming , Li Jia‐Wen , Xu Fan , Bu Yun‐Ling , Wang Man , Lu Xiang , Gao Wei
Published: November 2021

Background

Unintentional weight loss (cachexia) has been associated with poor outcomes in chronic heart failure (CHF). Meteorin‐like (Metrnl) is a novel myokine with protective effects on cardiovascular diseases. However, the change of Metrnl concentrations and its role in elderly patients with CHF remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of serum Metrnl with weight loss and outcomes in elderly patients with CHF.

Methods

A total of 931 consecutive elderly patients (aged 60 years and older) with CHF and 135 age‐matched and sex‐matched control subjects were enrolled. Serum Metrnl concentration was measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Body weight was measured at baseline and 12 months.

Results

Median of serum Metrnl levels was lower in CHF patients when compared with controls [201.31 (184.95–261.16) pg/mL vs. 168.68 (103.15–197.54) pg/mL, P < 0.001]. Patients with the lowest levels of Metrnl had higher N‐terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) levels but lower left ventricular eject fraction (LVEF) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (P < 0.001). Lower serum Metrnl was associated with a higher risk of >5% weight loss from baseline to 12 months [odds ratio = 6.13, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.57–14.62 per log decrease; P < 0.001]. Serum Metrnl levels were decreased as LVEF decreased (P < 0.001) and were positively correlated with LVEF (r = 0.267, P < 0.001) but negatively correlated with NT‐proBNP levels (r = −0.257, P < 0.001). Cox regression analysis suggested that lower serum Metrnl was associated with higher cardiovascular mortality [hazard ratio (HR) = 6.71, 95% CI = 3.41–13.18 per log decrease; P < 0.001], CHF rehospitalization (HR = 3.07, 95% CI = 1.82–5.17 per log decrease; P < 0.001), and the combined major adverse cardiac event(s) (MACEs) (HR = 5.38, 95% CI = 3.51–8.25 per log decrease; P < 0.001). The Kaplan–Meier survival curves showed that low concentration of Metrnl was a prognostic indicator of MACEs in patients with CHF.

Conclusions

Our study suggests that lower serum Metrnl level is correlated with weight loss and the severity of cardiac dysfunction in elderly patients with CHF.
Current approaches to HIV vaccine development: a narrative review
Authors: Kim Jiae , Vasan Sandhya , Kim Jerome H. , Ake Julie A.
Published: November 2021

Introduction

The development of an effective vaccine to protect against HIV is a longstanding global health need complicated by challenges inherent to HIV biology and to the execution of vaccine efficacy testing in the context of evolving biomedical prevention interventions. This review describes lessons learnt from previous efficacy trials, highlights unanswered questions, and surveys new approaches in vaccine development addressing these gaps.

Methods

We conducted a targeted peer‐reviewed literature search of articles and conference abstracts from 1989 through 2021 for HIV vaccine studies and clinical trials. The US National Library of Medicine's Clinical Trials database was accessed to further identify clinical trials involving HIV vaccines. The content of the review was also informed by the authors’ own experience and engagement with collaborators in HIV vaccine research.

Discussion

The HIV vaccine field has successfully developed multiple vaccine platforms through advanced clinical studies; however, the modest efficacy signal of the RV144 Thai trial remains the only demonstration of HIV vaccine protection in humans. Current vaccine strategies include prime‐boost strategies to improve elicitation of immune correlates derived from RV144, combination mosaic antigens, novel viral vectors, antigens designed to elicit broadly neutralizing antibody, new nucleic acid platforms and potent adjuvants to enhance immunogenicity across multiple classes of emerging vaccine candidates.

Conclusions

HIV vaccine developers have applied lessons learnt from previous successes and failures to innovative vaccine design approaches. These strategies have yielded novel mosaic antigen constructs now in efficacy testing, produced a diverse pipeline of early‐stage immunogens and novel adjuvants, and advanced the field towards a globally effective HIV vaccine.
Broadly neutralizing monoclonal antibodies for HIV prevention
Authors: Miner Maurine D. , Corey Lawrence , Montefiori David
Published: November 2021

Introduction

The last 12 years have seen remarkable progress in the isolation and characterization of at least five different epitope classes of HIV‐specific broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs). Detailed analyses of these bnAb lineages, maturation pathways and epitopes have created new opportunities for vaccine development. In addition, interest exists in passive administration of monoclonal antibodies as a viable option for HIV prevention.

Discussion

Recently, two antibody‐mediated prevention (AMP) trials of a passively administered monoclonal antibody targeting the HIV envelope CD4 binding site, called VRC01, provided proof‐of‐concept that monoclonal antibody infusion could offer protection against HIV acquisition. While the trials failed to show overall protection against HIV acquisition, sub‐analyses revealed that VRC01 infusion provided a 75% prevention efficacy against HIV strains that were susceptible to the antibody. The study also demonstrated that in vitro neutralizing activity, measured by the TZM‐bl/pseudovirus assay, was able to predict HIV prevention efficacy in humans. In addition, the AMP trials defined a threshold protective concentration, or neutralization titer, for the VRC01 class of bnAbs, explaining the observed low overall efficacy and serving as a benchmark for the clinical testing of new bnAbs, bnAb cocktails and neutralizing antibody‐inducing vaccines. Newer bnAbs that exhibit greater potency and breadth of neutralization in vitro than VRC01 are available for clinical testing. Combinations of best‐in‐class bnAbs with complementary magnitude, breadth and extent of complete neutralization are predicted to far exceed the prevention efficacy of VRC01. Some engineered bi‐ and trispecific mAbs exhibit similar desirable neutralizing activity and afford advantages for manufacturing and delivery. Modifications that prolong the serum half‐life and improve genital tissue persistence offer additional advantages.

Conclusions

Iterative phase 1 trials are acquiring safety and pharmacokinetic data on dual and triple bnAbs and bi‐ and trispecific antibodies in preparation for future AMP studies that seek to translate findings from the VRC01 efficacy trials and achieve acceptable levels of overall prevention efficacy.
Weighted iterated radial composition operators from logarithmic Bloch spaces to weighted‐type spaces on the unit ball
Authors: Stević Stevo , Jiang Zhi‐jie
Published: November 2021

LetMube the multiplication operator with symboluwhich is a holomorphic function on the open unit ball in the composition operator with symbolφwhich is a holomorphic self‐map of , and , themth iterated radial derivative operator. The boundedness and compactness of the weighted iterated radial composition operator from logarithmic Bloch spaces to weighted‐type spaces are characterized.
Withers height estimation in medieval horse samples from Poland: Comparing the internal cranial cavity‐based modified Wyrost and Kucharczyk method with existing methods
Authors: Chrószcz Aleksander , Baranowski Piotr , Janowski Andrzej , Poradowski Dominik , Janeczek Maciej , Onar Vedat , Sudoł Beata , Spychalski Przemysław , Dudek Agnieszka , Sienkiewicz Waldemar , Czerski Albert
Published: November 2021

Horse withers height is frequently estimated based on skeletal remains during archeozoological analyses. The routinely used methods (Vitt and Kiesewalter) do not allow withers height estimation without complete long bone and skull osteometry. The modified Wyrost and Kucharczyk formula is based on the internal dimensions of the cranial cavity. This method can be used even when the neurocranium is the only surviving portion of the skull. Earlier investigation demonstrated that it can be used as a substitute for the Kiesewalter method. The statistical analyses of the results achieved using metapodial bones are strongly correlated with the results achieved using the Wyrost and Kucharczyk method. A unique horse skull assemblage, dating back to medieval times, was unearthed from several archeological sites in Poland (Silesia, Kuyavia, Grater Poland, Western Pomerania, and Eastern Pomerania). This study aimed to estimate the withers height of this assemblage using the modified Wyrost and Kucharczyk method. Subsequently, these estimations were compared with accessible literature data from both medieval Poland and surrounding territories. The literature indicates that the horses from Western Pomerania, Silesia, and Kuyavia were larger than the animals from Eastern Pomerania. Our results show that horses from Western Pomerania were larger than those from Silesia, Kuyavia, and Eastern Pomerania. In both cases, the Western Pomeranian horses are the largest. In general, according to our results and the accessible literature, it seems true that Polish medieval horse populations can be described as medium‐ and small‐sized, according to Vitt's classification. The modified Wyrost and Kucharczyk formula can be used as an additional or alternative method of calculating withers height in routine archeozoological studies.
Preparation and characterization of zinc oxide nanoparticles incorporated tragacanth nanofibers for adsorbing fuel sulfur compounds
Authors: Elyaci Reza , Bazarganipour Mehdi , Tavanai Hossein , Esmaelion Fatemeh , Shamsabadi Amir Shahin
Published: November 2021

This study concerns the electrospinning of tragacanth nanofibers containing zinc oxide nanoparticles with the aim of separating sulfur compounds from crude oil. Zinc oxide incorporated tragacanth nanofibers were electrospun from tragacanth solutions containing zinc oxide nanoparticles with concentrations of 5, 10, 15, and 20 (% w/w). The average diameter of these nanofibers were 91.6, 94.1, 95.4, and 97.8 nm, respectively. SEM images showed that zinc oxide nanoparticles incorporated tragacanth nanofibers were uniformly electrospun with no beads. FTIR analysis showed some interactions between zinc oxide nanoparticles and tragacanth macromolecules. XRD studies showed a two phase microstructure consisting of semi‐crystalline tragacanth matrix with zinc oxide crystallites dispersed in it. The highest filtration efficiency for 300 ml of Isfahan and Gachsaran crude oil was 75.3% and 62.2%, respectively. Moreover, the highest sulfur adsorption capacity obtained for Isfahan and Gachsaran crude oil was 211.20 mg g−1 and 108.19 mg g−1, respectively.
Application of multivariate linear regression models for selection of deep eutectic solvent for extraction of apigenin and luteolin from Chrysanthemum indicum L.
Authors: Nguyen Thu Hang , Vu Thi Huyen Trang , Nguyen Van Phuong
Published: November 2021

Introduction

Among a variety of compounds presented in chrysanthemum, apigenin and luteolin are the two main components that play a major role in numerous biological activities of this herb.

Objectives

We aimed to obtain linear models showing the dependence of the yield of extraction of apigenin and luteolin on the composition of deep eutectic solvent and investigate the extraction of these two ingredients from Chrysanthemum indicum L.

Methods

Two models showing the dependence of luteolin and apigenin concentrations on the composition of the solvent were established using a multilinear regression algorithm and were applied to screen 119 different solvents. After that, the extraction process was optimized using response surface methodology and an artificial neural network. Apigenin and luteolin were recovered from the extract by the combination of distillation and addition of water.

Results

The screening results on 119 solvents revealed that choline chloride–acetic acid (1:4) was the most suitable deep eutectic solvent. It was showed that both response surface methodology and the artificial neural network could accurately determine the optimal conditions of extraction of apigenin and luteolin from C. indicum L., including time of extraction (65 minutes), temperature of extraction (90°C) and water content (20%). By the combination of distillation and addition of water, apigenin and luteolin could be effectively recovered from the deep eutectic solvent extract with a recovery rate of over 80%.

Conclusions

Deep eutectic solvent could be used as an effective green alternative to the conventional solvents for the extraction of bioactive compounds from plants.
Chemotherapy‐associated cardiomyopathy: Mechanisms of toxicity and cardioprotective strategies
Authors: Veeder Justin A. , Hothem Lauren N. , Cipriani Amber E. , Jensen Brian C. , Rodgers Jo E.
Published: November 2021

Objective

To describe the proposed mechanisms of chemotherapy‐associated cardiomyopathy (CAC) and potential cardioprotective therapies for CAC including a comprehensive review of existing systematic analyses, guideline recommendations, and ongoing clinical trials.

Data Sources

A literature search of MEDLINE was performed (from 1990 to June 2020) using the following search terms: anthracycline, trastuzumab, cardiomyopathy, cardiotoxicity, primary prevention, angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI), angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB), beta blocker, dexrazoxane (DEX) as well as using individual names from select therapeutic categories.

Study Selection and Data Extraction

Existing English language systematic analyses and guidelines were considered.

Data Synthesis

The mechanisms of CAC are multifaceted, but various cardioprotective therapies target many of these pathways. To date, anthracyclines and HER‐2 targeted therapies have been the focus of cardioprotective trials to date as they are the most commonly implicated therapies in CAC. While traditional neurohormonal antagonists (ACEIs, ARBs, and beta blockers) and DEX performed favorably in many small clinical trials, the quality of available evidence remains limited. Hence, major guidelines lack consensus on an approach to primary prevention of CAC. Given the uncertain role of preventive therapy, monitoring for a symptomatic or asymptomatic decline in LV function is imperative with prompt evaluation should this occur. Numerous ongoing randomized controlled trials seek to either confirm the findings of these previous studies or identify new therapeutic agents to prevent CAC. Clinical implications are derived from the available literature as well as current guideline recommendations for CAC cardioprotection.

Conclusion

At this time, no single therapy has a clear cardioprotective benefit in preventing CAC nor is any therapy strongly recommended by current guidelines. Additional studies are needed to determine the optimal preventative regimens.
Mechanisms of ion transport in lithium salt‐doped polymeric ionic liquid electrolytes at higher salt concentrations
Authors: Zhang Zidan , Lin Dachey , Ganesan Venkat
Published: November 2021

We used atomistic simulations to study the mechanisms of ion transport in salt‐doped polymeric ionic liquid systems at higher salt concentrations. Consistent with the experimental observations, our simulations indicate that at higher salt concentrations, the anion mobilities become lower than that of the lithium cations. Further, the anion mobilities become relatively insensitive to the salt concentration, while the mobilities of lithium increase with increasing salt concentration. We rationalize the results for the anion mobilities by considering the fractions of anions which are exclusively coordinated with the polycations (Type1); co‐coordinated with cations and lithium (Type2); and those exclusively coordinated with lithium (Type3). By considering the coordination characteristics of the different types of anions and their hopping motions, we demonstrate that the net anion mobilities results from a compensation effect of the salt concentration dependence of the mobilities of the different anions. With respect to the mobilities of the lithium ions, we demonstrate that the latter moves primarily by a structural diffusion mechanism involving refreshing of the solvation shell during hopping. Further, for the majority of the lithium ions, the solvation shell is shown to be comprised of co‐coordinated Type2 anions, and that the number of polycations and the unique polymer chains involved in such coordination decreases with increasing salt concentration. Such changes are shown to weaken the solvation shell around the lithium, thereby facilitating faster ion motion. Together, our results suggest that systems in which the anion which exhibits a stronger coordination to the polycation in comparison to that of the lithium can facilitate higher transference numbers without a concomitant reduction in the mechanical strength.
Nanotechnology: A Potential Weapon to Fight against COVID‐19
Authors: Tiwari Atul K. , Mishra Anupa , Pandey Govind , Gupta Munesh K. , Pandey Prem C.
Published: November 2021

The COVID‐19 infections have posed an unprecedented global health emergency, with nearly three million deaths to date, and have caused substantial economic loss globally. Hence, an urgent exploration of effective and safe diagnostic/therapeutic approaches for minimizing the threat of this highly pathogenic coronavirus infection is needed. As an alternative to conventional diagnosis and antiviral agents, nanomaterials have a great potential to cope with the current or even future health emergency situation with a wide range of applications. Fundamentally, nanomaterials are physically and chemically tunable and can be employed for the next generation nanomaterial‐based detection of viral antigens and host antibodies in body fluids as antiviral agents, nanovaccine, suppressant of cytokine storm, nanocarrier for efficient delivery of antiviral drugs at infection site or inside the host cells, and can also be a significant tool for better understanding of the gut microbiome and SARS‐CoV‐2 interaction. The applicability of nanomaterial‐based therapeutic options to cope with the current and possible future pandemic is discussed here.
The impact of dams on the river connectivity of the two largest river basins in China
Authors: Yujun Yi , Yanning Gao , Shanghong Zhang
Published: November 2021

Dams are built on rivers for power generation, flood prevention and control, and water resources utilization. However, dams also reduce the connectivity of rivers, which hinders the exchange of material and organisms within rivers. The Yangtze River Basin and the Yellow River Basin are the two largest river basins in China. In this study, the connectivity of these two huge and highly impacted systems was investigated. The Dendritic Connectivity Index (DCI) was applied to evaluate the impact on river connectivity of dams with a reservoir capacity of larger than 0.1 km3. The results show that river connectivity decreased following an increase in dam construction. The connectivity of the Yangtze River Basin was close to 80 (0 is completely disconnected and 100 is connectivity under natural condition) in the 1980s, but declined significantly after the Gezhouba Dam was constructed on the mainstream of the Yangtze River. From 1980 to 2010, the connectivity of the Yellow River Basin was always lower than that of the Yangtze River Basin. The changes in the connectivity indices of potamodromous fish (DCIp) and diadromous fish (DCId) were determined for the period of 1980–2010. In the Yangtze River Basin, the DCIp decreased by 67.28% and the DCId decreased by 65.72%. In the Yellow River Basin, the DCIp decreased by 43.8% and the DCId decreased by 100%. In conclusion, the construction of dams, especially those on the main stream, has reduced the connectivity of the basin. The connectivity of the Yangtze River Basin and the Yellow River Basin has been severely affected.
Rehabilitation of the Doce River Basin after the Fundão dam collapse: What has been done, what can be done and what should be done?
Authors: Cordeiro Juni , Gomes Alessandra R. , Santos Carlos Henrique B. , Rigobelo Everlon Cid , Baptista Marcio B. , Moura Priscilla Macedo , Scotti Maria Rita
Published: November 2021

Five years after the failure of the Fundão Dam in Brazil, no scientific report has been published regarding the rehabilitation interventions performed by the Renova Foundation, which is solely responsible for the rehabilitation of the Doce River Basin. This study aimed to assess the fluvial and riparian rehabilitation efforts performed by Renova, as well as to test and propose alternatives, when appropriate. Before the dam rupture, the fluvial system showed a single‐thread morphology that was sinuous and meandering. After the rupture, changes occurred in the river dynamics with strong sediment deposition in riparian areas, resulting in the loss of several meandering streams, oxbow‐lakes, lagoons, and fluvial islands. There was also a loss of the riparian vegetation, from 61% to 6%, as estimated by the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). Renova subjected nearly 61% of the study area to fluvial rehabilitation techniques, particularly using rip‐rap or larssen sheet piling (37%) and erosion control fibre blankets (17%). However, 50% of these interventions have been unsuccessful because the rip‐rap was poorly positioned and the biodegradable fibre blankets decomposed rapidly. We recommend changing the position of the rip‐rap from convex to concave banks and to avoid using biodegradable fibre blankets. Instead, we encourage the planting of riparian forests with native species to form buffer zone systems. Renova' riparian rehabilitation attempts were found to have low success rates, which was attributed to the unaddressed presence of toxic compounds, such as sodium and ether amine. However, our results proved that riparian rehabilitation using native species is feasible, if physical, chemical, biological, and phyto‐remediation strategies are adopted, to alleviate the ether amine and sodium toxicity.