bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The immunoreceptor SLAMF8 promotes the differentiation of follicular dendritic cell‐dependent monocytic cells with B cell‐activating ability
Authors: Magari Masaki , Nishioka Miku , Hari Tomomi , Ogawa Sayaka , Takahashi Kaho , Hatano Naoya , Kanayama Naoki , Futami Junichiro , Tokumitsu Hiroshi
Published: August 2022

Follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) play a crucial role in generating high‐affinity antibody‐producing B cells during the germinal center (GC) reaction. Herein, we analysed the altered gene expression profile of a mouse FDC line, FL‐Y, following lymphotoxin β receptor stimulation, and observed increased Slam‐family member 8 (Slamf8) mRNA expression. Forced Slamf8 expression and SLAMF8‐Fc addition enhanced the ability of FL‐Y cells to induce FDC‐induced monocytic cell (FDMC) differentiation. FDMCs accelerated GC‐phenotype proliferation in cultured B cells, suggesting that they are capable of promoting GC responses. Furthermore, a pulldown assay showed that SLAMF8‐Fc could bind to SLAMF8‐His. Overall, the homophilic interaction of SLAMF8 promotes FDMC differentiation and SLAMF8 might act as a novel regulator of GC responses by regulating FDMC differentiation.
Prioritizing sites for terrestrial invasive alien plant management in urban ecosystems
Authors: Potgieter Luke J. , Shrestha Namrata , Cadotte Marc W.
Published: August 2022

Rapid urbanization is placing increased pressure on natural, restored and designed ecosystems to provide services to growing human populations. The establishment and spread of invasive alien species within and around urban areas threaten biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, and the services they provide. Consequently, there is a need to protect and manage areas where invasions will have the greatest socio‐ecological impact. Limited resources call for the strategic prioritization of these areas, yet there are few widely adopted, standardized approaches for prioritizing sites vulnerable to species invasions in urban areas.

We applied multi‐criteria decision analyses in a geographic information system to develop a strategic, spatial prioritization approach for identifying those sites most sensitive to terrestrial alien plant invasions. To test this approach, we use the Toronto region as a case study, the most populous metropolitan area in Canada and one of the fastest growing urban centres in North America. Through consultation with local conservation authorities, we developed an objective, hierarchical set of 19 criteria grouped into two categories: biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, and ecosystem services. Spatial data layers were assigned to each criterion and used to map areas most important for biodiversity and ecosystem functioning and providing ecosystem services. We overlayed these priority areas with distribution data of Vincetoxicum rossicum, one of the Toronto region's most widespread and damaging invasive alien plant species (IAPs) to determine the potential threat species’ invasions pose to these important areas.

High‐priority sites identified by our prioritization model include areas of significant biodiversity conservation value such as intact forests, meadows and wetlands which are crucial for providing regulating and supporting services. Our IAPs distribution map showed that these high‐priority sites are heavily invaded (92.9% of the area occupied by V. rossicum comprises medium‐high‐priority sites) and should be prioritized for management to ensure biodiversity and ecosystem functioning and the provision of ecosystem services are maximized.

The approach applied in this study can be useful for conservation practitioners in guiding the selection of high‐priority, socio‐ecologically significant sites for management action in urban landscapes across different geographic regions and spatial scales.
Ultrastrong Poly(2‐Oxazoline)/Poly(Acrylic Acid) Double‐Network Hydrogels with Cartilage‐Like Mechanical Properties
Authors: Benitez‐Duif Paola A. , Breisch Marina , Kurka Daniel , Edel Karlina , Gökcay Semra , Stangier Dominic , Tillmann Wolfgang , Hijazi Montasser , Tiller Jörg C.
Published: August 2022

The exceptional stiffness and toughness of double‐network hydrogels (DNHs) offer the possibility to mimic even complex biomaterials, such as cartilage. The latter has a limited regenerative capacity and thus needs to be substituted with an artificial material. DNHs composed of cross‐linked poly(2‐oxazoline)s (POx) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) are synthesized by free radical polymerization in a two‐step process. The resulting DNHs are stabilized by hydrogen bridges even at pH 7.4 (physiological PBS buffer) due to the pKa‐shifting effect of POx on PAA. DNHs based on poly(2‐methyl‐2‐oxazoline), which have a water content (WC) of around 66 wt% and are not cytotoxic, show biomechanical properties that match those of cartilage in terms of WC, stiffness, toughness, coefficient of friction, compression in body relevant stress conditions and viscoelastic behavior. This material also has high strength in PBS pH 7.4 and in egg white as synovial liquid substitute. In particular, a compression strength of up to 60 MPa makes this material superior.
A Novel Hollow‐Tube‐Biphasic‐Whisker‐Modified Calcium Phosphate Ceramics with Simultaneously Enhanced Mechanical Strength and Osteogenic Activity
Authors: Feng Cong , Wu Yonghao , Li Qipeng , He Tinghan , Cao Quanle , Li Xiangfeng , Xiao Yumei , Lin Jiangli , Zhu Xiangdong , Zhang Xingdong
Published: August 2022

Due to the inherent brittleness and low mechanical strength, it is still a challenge for calcium phosphate (Ca‐P) ceramics to be used in load‐bearing bone defect repair. To achieve a good balance between mechanical strength and osteogenic activity, hollow‐tube‐whisker‐modified biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) ceramics (BCP‐HW) are successfully fabricated by an in situ growth process in the present study. Compared to the initial BCP ceramics (BCP‐C) and those with solid whiskers, BCP‐HW exhibits larger specific surface area (3.9 times vs BCP‐C) and higher mechanical strength (3.4 times vs BCP‐C), endowing it with stronger stimulation on adhesion, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. In an intramuscular implantation model of canine, BCP‐HW shows excellent osteoinductivity and promotes the maturation of new bone, and the resultant compressive strength of the implant increases to ≈12 MPa at 3 months postoperatively. In another critical‐sized segmental bone defect model of rabbit femur, BCP‐HW has the best repairing effect. After implantation for 6 months, much more new bone ingrowth and higher bending load are observed in BCP‐HW than BCP‐C. Collectively, these findings suggest that the in situ hollow‐tube whisker construction possesses immense potential in expanding the applications of Ca‐P ceramics to load‐bearing bone defect repair.
Fabrication of Flexible High‐Temperature Film Thermometers and Heat‐Resistant OLEDs Using Novel Hot Exciton Organic Fluorophores
Authors: Jiang Xinchen , Dong Zhiyu , Miao Xiaodan , Wang Kuan , Yao Feng , Gao Zhiqiang , Mi Baoxiu , Yi Yuanping , Yang Guoqiang , Qian Yan
Published: August 2022

The development of organic thermosensitive fluorophores for use in heat‐resistant organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) and large‐area and flexible high‐temperature sensing remains challenging due to the susceptibility of such materials to thermally facilitated nonradiative decay. A series of “hot exciton” materials (“C1” and “C2”) based on pyrrole‐substituted triarylphosphine oxides that exhibit high heat resistance have been developed. At a temperature of 260 °C, the films retain 42% (C1) and 29% (C2) of their room temperature fluorescence. This is thanks to thermally facilitated reverse intersystem crossing (RISC) from a high‐lying triplet to a singlet state. By combining the novel fluorophores with a yellow emitter with an extremely large Stokes shift, flexible and large‐area ratiometric film thermometers are fabricated that demonstrate naked‐eye high‐temperature sensing. The relative sensitivity, Sr, of the film thermometer is higher than 1% K–1 in the high‐temperature region (393 to 470 K), with the maximum Sr reaching 1.26% K−1 at 430 K. Using these blue emitters, heat‐resistant cyan and white OLEDs are also fabricated. With thermally populated singlets and nearly 100% exciton harvesting via fast RISC, the C1‐based cyan OLED exhibits a nearly 12‐fold enhancement in electroluminescence on heating from room temperature to 530 K, while the corresponding white OLED displays a 5.7‐fold electroluminescence enhancement.
Computational Design of a Soft Robotic Myocardium for Biomimetic Motion and Function
Authors: Park Clara , Ozturk Caglar , Roche Ellen T.
Published: August 2022

Soft robotic devices containing multiple actuating elements have successfully recapitulated complex biological motion, leading to their utility in biomedical applications. However, there are inherent nonlinear mechanics associated with soft composite materials where soft actuators are embedded in elastomeric matrices. Predicting their overall behavior prior to fabrication and subsequent experimental characterization can therefore present a hurdle in the design process and in efficiently satisfying functional requirements and specifications. In this work, a computational design framework for optimizing the motion and function of biomimetic soft robotic composites is demonstrated by conducting a design case study of soft robotic cardiac muscle (myocardium) with a particular focus on applications including replicating and assisting cardiac motion and function. A finite element model of a soft robotic myocardium is built, in which actuators are prescribed with anisotropic strain to simulate local deformation, and various design parameters are investigated by evaluating the performance of each configuration in terms of ventricular twist, volumetric output, and pressure generation. Then, an optimized design is proposed that recapitulates the physiological motion and hemodynamics of the heart, and its thrombogenicity is further explored using a fluid‐structure interaction model. This framework has broader utility in predicting the performance of other soft robotic embedded composites.
Shrinking Fabrication of a Glucose‐Responsive Glucagon Microneedle Patch
Authors: Wang Zejun , Fu Ruxing , Han Xiao , Wen Di , Wu Yifan , Li Song , Gu Zhen
Published: August 2022

A microdevice that offers glucagon supplements in a safe, non‐invasive, and glucose‐responsive manner is ideal for avoiding fatal hypoglycemia consequences from insulin overdosage during daily diabetes treatment. However, mold‐assisted microfabrication of biomedical materials or devices typically needs high‐resolution laser ablation to scale down structural design. In addition, the majority of the polymeric drug delivery materials being used to fabricate devices are dissolvable or deformable in aqueous environments, which restricts washing‐based cleaning and purification procedures post shape fixation. This study leverages the design flexibility of 3D printing‐assisted mold casting and presents a shrinking microfabrication approach that allows subsequent washing procedures to remove toxic monomer residues during polymerization. The feasibility of this approach is demonstrated by developing a glucose‐responsive transdermal glucagon microneedle patch through matrix volume change‐mediated release kinetic control. Shown in the type 1 diabetic mouse model, this transdermal patch can reverse the occurrence of hypoglycemia while lowering the risk of monomer residue‐induced irritation during treatment. Freeing from the restrain of molding resolution for microstructure design, this shrinking methodology further provides an insight into post‐fabrication purifications of biomedical materials.
Inkjet‐Printed, Deep Subthreshold Operated Pseudo‐CMOS Inverters with High Voltage Gain and Low Power Consumption
Authors: Pradhan Jyoti Ranjan , Singh Manvendra , Dasgupta Subho
Published: August 2022

Oxide electronics has received increasing research and industrial attention in recent years. Solution‐processed/printed thin film transistors (TFTs) have rapidly matured to challenge its organic counterparts. However, when the n‐type oxides can demonstrate high mobility band transport, the performance of the p‐type ones is still weak. Consequently, examples of all‐oxide circuits are rare in the literature. Here printed amorphous indium‐gallium‐zinc oxide (a‐IGZO) based all‐oxide pseudo‐CMOS inverters, ring oscillators, and static random access memories (SRAMs), where the doping density and the device aspect ratio‐controlled deep‐subthreshold region offers sharp switching of the input signal is shown. For example, the signal gain (η) of pseudo‐CMOS 2T and 4T inverters is recorded as 285 and 329, respectively. Furthermore, the deep subthreshold operation ensures low dynamic power consumption, only few tens of nanowatts up to 1.5 V supply voltage. The inverters have demonstrated rail‐to‐rail swing up to 30 kHz and the 3‐stage ring oscillators recorded oscillation frequency of 6.7 kHz. The SRAM devices have shown satisfactory noise margins at HOLD‐, READ‐, and WRITE‐states, while their transient response is also recorded. These fully‐printed all‐oxide TFTs and circuits can be of large interest in portable/wearable electronics, display backplanes, interfacing circuits for sensors, etc.
Selective Electroreduction of CO2 to n‐Propanol in Two‐Step Tandem Catalytic System
Authors: Wu Guoling , Song Yaru , Zheng Qiang , Long Chang , Fan Ting , Yang Zhongjie , Huang Xuewei , Li Qun , Sun Yali , Zuo Lulu , Lei Shengbin , Tang Zhiyong
Published: August 2022

Electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 (CO2RR) to high‐energy‐density C3 fuels like n‐propanol has been widely recognized as one of the core technologies for both renewable energy storage and carbon neutrality. Unfortunately, exceptional catalytic sites that are able to simultaneously implement efficient conversion to C1 and C2 products are difficult to design for single electrolyzers, leading to poor activity and selectivity toward n‐propanol. Alternatively, electroreduction of CO (CORR) has shown good performance toward C3 fuels, but the cost and safety of gas storage hinder its industrialization. Herein, a system consisting of two tandem electrolyzers for converting CO2 to CO and CO to n‐propanol, respectively, is constructed. Beyond the reported tandem electrodes and one‐pot tandem catalysts, precise voltage control over tandem electrolyzers enables optimizing the conversion of both CO2RR to CO and CORR to n‐propanol. Significantly, an unprecedented Faradaic efficiency of 15.9% for n‐propanol along with corresponding half‐cell power conversion efficiency of 19.3% is achieved.
Solvation Structures in Aqueous Metal‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Li Xiaomin , Wang Xinyu , Ma Longtao , Huang Wei
Published: August 2022

Aqueous batteries have attracted great attention due to their inherent low cost, intrinsic safety, and environmental friendliness. Because of intrinsic oxygen evolution reactions (OER) and hydrogen evolution reactions (HER) via water splitting, aqueous batteries possess narrow electrochemical stability windows (ESWs, theoretical ESW is 1.23 V), leading to low output voltage and low delivered capacity, and thus low energy density. Meanwhile, the parasitic side reactions of electrode materials dissolution, gas evolution, and dendrite growth can shorten cyclic stability of aqueous batteries. The above deep‐seated challenges are closely related to the solvation structure of metal ions, which can be settled by adjusting and regulating the solvation structure. This review summarizes the research progress in solvation structures in metal‐ion batteries. First, the design principles of the solvation structure and its impact on battery performance are introduced. Second, the regulation of the solvation structure and the research progress are introduced from three points of view: high concentration salt strategies, MOF modification and electrolyte additives. After that, the commonly used characterization methods for solvation structure are summarized. Finally, the existing problems and challenges in the frontier research of solvation structure research are summarized.
Destruction of 1,4‐Dioxane and VOCs with UV‐H2O2 in a high alkalinity groundwater
Authors: Najm Issam , Linden Karl , Liu Bryan , Liles Joseph , Winners Steve
Published: August 2022

Bench‐scale testing was conducted to evaluate the application of an Ultraviolet‐hydrogen peroxide (UV‐H2O2) advanced oxidation process (AOP) for the destruction of 1,4‐Dioxane (47 μg/L) and varying concentrations of three volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), including trichloroethylene (TCE), tetrachloroethylene (PCE), and 1,1‐dichloroethylene (1,1‐DCE), from three samples of groundwater containing high alkalinity (281 mg/L as CaCO3). The UV doses applied ranged from zero to 5500 mJ/cm2 while the H2O2 concentrations ranged from 0 to 16 mg/L. The results showed that the bicarbonate and carbonate alkalinity greatly dominated the hydroxyl radical consumption and thus the 1,4‐Dioxane destruction rate. The removal of perchlorate, chlorate, and nitrate prior to UV‐H2O2 treatment had no discernable effect on 1,4‐Dioxane destruction, while the removal of TOC increased the rate of 1,4‐Dioxane destruction by approximately 25%. Depending on the combination of H2O2 concentration and UV dose, 1,4‐Dioxane destruction ranged from negligible to greater than 99%.
Efficient coexpression of recombinant human fusion collagen with prolyl 4‐hydroxylase from Bacillus anthracis in Escherichia coli
Authors: Liu Su , Li Yanmei , Wang Meng , Ma Yi , Wang Jufang
Published: August 2022

Collagen family members, the most abundant proteins in the human body, are widely used in biomedical fields and tissue engineering industries. However, the applications of collagen remain mostly relying on material derived from native tissues due to its extremely complex posttranslational modifications like proline hydroxylation, which hinder the large‐scale exogenous production of collagen. In the current study, we propose a novel prolyl hydroxylated recombinant human fusion collagen containing multiple native cell‐interaction sites derived from human type I and III collagen with good biocompatibility and thermal stability. To obtain prolyl hydroxylated collagen, prolyl 4‐hydroxylases (P4Hs) from Bacillus anthracis, Arabidopsis thaliana, and Dactylosporangium sp. RH1 were coexpressed with collagen in Escherichia coli, respectively. Among of which, prolyl 4‐hydroxylase (P4H) from B. anthracis showed the highest hydroxyl rate with 63.6%. Furthermore, a yield of hydroxylated collagen at 0.8 g/L was achieved by fed‐batch fermentation in a 5 L fermenter with the productivity of 0.0267 g L–1 h–1. Compared with nonhydroxylated recombinant collagen, hydroxylated recombinant collagen showed significant improvements in thermal stability and biocompatibility. Taken this together, our studies provide a promising method for further development of collagen application in biomaterials engineering.
Quality by design‐based optimization of Soxhlet extraction and identification of ephedrine by a HPTLC method forSida rhombifoliaandSida Cordifolia
Authors: Imran Mohd , Patil Shital Pradeep , Abourehab Mohammed A. S. , Aeri Vidhu , Kesharwani Prashant
Published: August 2022

The study objective was to analyse the phytochemical constituents in aerial extracts of these plants using an HPTLC method and optimization by quality by design. Qualitative analysis of ephedrine in hydro‐alcoholic extract was done via HPTLC, using a mobile phase of toluene–ethyl acetate–chloroform–formic acid in the ratio of 1:0.5:0.5:01 and the peaks were monitored at 366 nm. In the hydro‐alcoholic aerial part extract, ephedrine was identified using the HPTLC method and the retardation factor (Rf) value was found to be 0.69 ± 0.01 and 0.69 ± 0.01, as compared with the standard sample. The extraction of plant materials was done using different concentration of water and alcohol solvents and quality by design was applied to optimize the extraction process and to find out the best extraction in an 80:20 ratio of hydro‐alcoholic extract. In the hydro‐alcoholic extract, the ephedrine was characterized using the HPTLC method and compared with the standard solution, and this method was used in herbal as well as academic research for the identification of ephedrine in poly herbal formulations as well as the ephedrine present in different plant extracts. Response surface methodology software was utilized to predict the path or choose the best extraction method.Sida rhombifoliaandSida cordifoliacan be used as substitutes forEphedra gerardianabased on the HPTLC profile.
Online measurement of the viscosity in shake flasks enables monitoring of γ‐PGA production in depolymerase knockout mutants of Bacillus subtilis with the phosphate‐starvation inducible promoter Ppst
Authors: Hoffmann Kyra , Halmschlag Birthe , Briel Simon , Sieben Michaela , Putri Sastia , Fukusaki Eiichiro , Blank Lars M. , Büchs Jochen
Published: August 2022

Poly‐γ‐glutamic acid (γ‐PGA) is a biopolymer with a wide range of applications, mainly produced using Bacillus strains. The formation and concomitant secretion of γ‐PGA increases the culture broth viscosity, while enzymatic depolymerisation and degradation of γ‐PGA decreases the culture broth viscosity. In this study, the recently published ViMOS (Viscosity Monitoring Online System) is applied for optical online measurements of broth viscosity in eight parallel shake flasks. It is shown that the ViMOS is suitable to monitor γ‐PGA production and degradation online in shake flasks. This online monitoring enables the detailed analysis of the Ppst promoter and γ‐PGA depolymerase knockout mutants in genetically modified Bacillus subtilis 168. The Ppst promoter becomes active under phosphate starvation. The different single depolymerase knockout mutants are ∆ggt, ∆pgdS, ∆cwlO and a triple knockout mutant. An increase in γ‐PGA yield in gγ‐PGA/gglucose of 190% could be achieved with the triple knockout mutant compared to the Ppst reference strain. The single cwlO knockout also increased γ‐PGA production, while the other single knockouts of ggt and pgdS showed no impact. Partial depolymerisation of γ‐PGA occurred despite the triple knockout. The online measured data are confirmed with offline measurements. The online viscosity system directly reflects γ‐PGA synthesis, γ‐PGA depolymerisation, and changes in the molecular weight. Thus, the ViMOS has great potential to rapidly gain detailed and reliable information about new strains and cultivation conditions. The broadened knowledge will facilitate the further optimization of γ‐PGA production.
Evaluating herbicide programs for peanut response and weed control
Authors: Kharel Prasanna , Devkota Pratap , MacDonald Gregory , Tillman Barry
Published: August 2022

Field research evaluated peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) tolerance and weed control with preemergence (PRE) followed by early postemergence (EPOST) herbicide programs: PRE pyroxasulfone, S‐metolachlor, flumioxazin, pendimethalin, ethalfluralin, diclosulam, or dimethenamid‐P, followed by EPOST application of paraquat + acetochlor + bentazon at 4 wk after PRE (WA‐PRE). The herbicides resulted in no differences in peanut injury at 2 WA‐PRE in 2019 but flumioxazin resulted in approximately two‐fold greater injury (>22%) than other treatments in 2020 because of heavy rainfall at peanut cracking. Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri S.Watson) control with diclosulam was lower than with other herbicides. Carpetweed (Mollugo verticillata L.) control with S‐metolachlor and dimethenamid‐P was at least 10% lower than with pendimethalin, flumioxazin, or pyroxasulfone at 4 WA‐PRE. Palmer amaranth control 2 wk after the EPOST (WA‐EPOST) application was >94% for all treatments except diclosulam. Peanut injury at 2 WA‐EPOST was ≤28% but was minimal by 8 WA‐EPOST. Overall, yield with herbicide treatments was similar to the weedfree control. A greenhouse experiment evaluated postemergence herbicide combinations for Palmer amaranth control, including 2,4‐DB, acifluorfen, imazapic, bentazon + acifluorfen, pyroxasulfone + carfentrazone, and various combinations of each. Palmer amaranth control (≥99%) was greater and biomass (≤0.3 g plant–1) was lower with acifluorfen treatments than with other treatments. The 2,4‐DB + pyroxasulfone + carfentrazone treatment provided similar control to acifluorfen treatments. The EPOST paraquat + acetochlor + bentazon combinations following an effective PRE program will effectively control Palmer amaranth in peanut. Additionally, greenhouse experiments supported the use of acifluorfen for postemergence Palmer amaranth control.
Performance of a novel, eco‐friendly, cellulose‐based superabsorbent polymer (Cellulo‐SAP): Absorbency, stability, reusability, and biodegradability
Authors: Arredondo Rosa , Yuan Zhongshun , Sosa Dennise , Johnson Anthony , Beims Ramon Filipe , Li Hongwei , Wei Qiang , Xu Chunbao Charles
Published: August 2022

Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) have attracted tremendous attention recently, with researchers noting that their high water absorbability is valuable for various applications, especially in agricultural contexts. Two types of materials can be used to produce SAPs: Fossil‐based (which are harmful to the environment) and bio‐based (which are significantly more environmentally friendly, given their biodegradability and minimal toxic side effects). Although bio‐based SAPs are preferable for environmental reasons, their synthesis tends to be time consuming and labour intensive, while their absorption capacity (AC) can be far below expectations. To address these problems, a novel, eco‐friendly, cellulose‐based superabsorbent polymer (Cellulo‐SAP) was developed in this study through facile preparation via free radical synthesis using modified cellulose. Then, the absorbency, thermal/pH stability, reusability, and biodegradability of Cellulo‐SAP were evaluated. This new polymer demonstrated reusability as a water reservoir, in addition to high thermal and pH stability. More importantly, Cellulo‐SAP achieved an AC of 475 g/g and exhibited superior biodegradability compared to a commercial, fossil‐based SAP. Accordingly, these results prove that Cellulo‐SAP can be used in agriculture as an effective alternative to fossil‐based SAPs.
Does a country's environmental policy affect the value of small and medium sized enterprises liquidity in the energy sector?
Authors: La Rocca Tiziana , La Rocca Maurizio , Fasano Francesco , Cariola Alfio
Published: August 2022

Cash management is important for energy SMEs, which, differently from large firms, face severe financial constraints and need to seize growth opportunities to ensure their survival. This paper, analyzing a large sample of European energy SMEs, finds a positive effect of holding a buffer of cash on firm performance. It shows that a stock of cash allows energy firms to prevent negative contingencies and/or achieve valuable growth patterns and investments. Moreover, considering that the energy industry is involved in environmental sustainability policies promoted by national governments, we find that complying with environmental regulations reduces the value of cash. Countries that pay more attention to environmental issues provide energy SMEs with growth opportunities and financial support, reducing the need to hold a stock of cash. A key implication is that, in a context with high environmental concern, energy SMEs have more financial flexibility to guarantee their growth with positive externalities for the energy sector.
Visual motion processing in Chinese children with developmental dyslexia: An fMRI study
Authors: Liu Yu‐Fei , Qian Yi , Bi Hong‐Yan
Published: August 2022

Dorsal stream is an important pathway for visual information transmission. As a part of the dorsal pathway, the middle temporal visual motion areas (V5/MT+) are mainly responsible for visual motion processing and the ability of visual motion processing is closely related to reading. Compared with alphabetic scripts, the visual structure of Chinese characters is more complex and there are no clear grapheme‐phoneme correspondence rules. So the ability of visual analysis plays an important role in Chinese character processing. This study first investigated the brain activation of Chinese dyslexic children and children of the same chronological age when they observed coherent motion stimuli. ROI analysis indicated that only the activation of left V5/MT+ was significantly weaker in dyslexics than that in the control group. The activity of the magnocellular‐dorsal stream was closely related to orthographic awareness in the combined data (two groups) and the typical children. In dyslexia group, the stronger the activation of V5/MT+ was, the worse the phonological awareness, rapid naming performance and orthographic awareness were. In short, Chinese dyslexic children were deficient in the activation of the left V5/MT+ and the activity of the magnocellular‐dorsal pathway was closely related to orthographic awareness in Chinese pupils.
Clinical profile and 90 day outcomes of 10 851 heart failure patients across India: National Heart Failure Registry
Authors: Harikrishnan Sivadasanpillai , Bahl Ajay , Roy Ambuj , Mishra Animesh , Prajapati Jayesh , Manjunath C.N. , Sethi Rishi , Guha Santanu , Satheesh Santhosh , Dhaliwal R.S. , Sarma Meenakshi , Ganapathy Sanjay , Jeemon Panniyammakal ,   for the NHFR investigators
Published: August 2022

Aims

Limited data on the uptake of guideline‐directed medical therapies (GDMTs) and the mortality of acute decompensated HF (ADHF) patients are available from India. The National Heart Failure Registry (NHFR) aimed to assess clinical presentation, practice patterns, and the mortality of ADHF patients in India.

Methods and results

The NHFR is a facility‐based, multi‐centre clinical registry of consecutive ADHF patients with prospective follow‐up. Fifty three tertiary care hospitals in 21 states in India participated in the NHFR. All consecutive ADHF patients who satisfied the European Society of Cardiology criteria were enrolled in the registry. All‐cause mortality at 90 days was the main outcome measure. In total, 10 851 consecutive patients were recruited (mean age: 59.9 years, 31% women). Ischaemic heart disease was the predominant aetiology for HF (72%), followed by dilated cardiomyopathy (18%). Isolated right HF was noted in 62 (0.6%) participants. In eligible HF patients, 47.5% received GDMT. The 90 day mortality was 14.2% (14.9% and 13.9% in women and men, respectively) with a re‐admission rate of 8.4%. An inverse relationship between educational class based on years of education and 90 day mortality (high mortality in the lowest educational class) was observed in the study population. Patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction and HF with mildly reduced ejection fraction who did not receive GDMT experienced higher mortality (log‐rank P < 0.001) than those who received GDMT. Baseline educational class, body mass index, New York Heart Association functional class, ejection fraction, dependent oedema, serum creatinine, QRS > 120 ms, atrial fibrillation, mitral regurgitation, haemoglobin levels, serum sodium, and GDMT independently predicted 90 day mortality.

Conclusion

One of seven ADHF patients in the NHFR died during the first 90 days of follow‐up. One of two patients received GDMT. Adherence to GDMT improved survival in HF patients with reduced and mildly reduced ejection fractions. Our findings call for innovative quality improvement initiatives to improve the uptake of GDMT among HF patients in India.
Investigation of Behavioural Pain Scale, Critical Care Pain Observation Tool, nociceptive flexion reflex and pupillary dilatation reflex as predictors of behavioural reactions to nociceptive procedures in critically ill patients unable to self‐report pain
Authors: Jurth Carlo , Zimmermann Valerie , Schaaf Luisa , Lezius Franziska , Bublitz Viktor K. , Lichtner Gregor , von Dincklage Falk
Published: August 2022

Background

Procedural pain is a common burden in critical care treatment and the prediction of nociceptive reactions remains challenging. Thus, we investigated the Behavioural Pain Scale (BPS), the Critical Pain Observational Tool (CPOT), the nociceptive flexion reflex (NFR), the pupillary dilation reflex (PDR) and the Richmond Agitation–Sedation Scale (RASS) as predictors of behavioural reactions to nociceptive procedures.

Methods

In this monocentric, prospective, observational study, we analysed data of 128 critically ill adults unable to self‐report pain to investigate the predictability of behavioural reactions to two procedures: endotracheal suctioning and turning. Next to routine clinical data, CPOT, BPS, PDR, NFR, RASS, propofol and sufentanil doses were recorded before the procedures.

Results

For endotracheal suctioning, NFR, BPS, CPOT and RASS showed predictive performances significantly better than chance, but none of them performed significantly better than the sufentanil dose rate. For turning, BPS, CPOT and RASS showed predictive performances significantly better than chance, but only the RASS performed significantly better than the propofol dose rate.

Conclusions

Behavioural reactions to both investigated clinical procedures can be predicted by observational scales or nociceptive reflexes. For endotracheal suctioning, none of the predictors performed superior to using the sufentanil dose rate as a predictor. As using sufentanil as a predictor requires no extra effort in contrast to the other predictors, none of the here investigated tools seem advisable for predicting behavioural reactions to endotracheal suctioning. For patient turning, the RASS predicts reactions better than any other tool.

Significance

In this observational study, we demonstrate that behavioural reactions to potentially nociceptive procedures in critical care treatment can be predicted by observational scales and nociceptive reflexes. However, for endotracheal suctioning, none of the predictors is superior to using the opioid dose rate as a predictor. For patient turning, the RASS predicts reactions better than any other parameters.
Comparison of microwave pyrolysis and conventional pyrolysis of Eupatorium adenophorum
Authors: Lin Jin , Cheng Song , Zhao Saidan , Liu Yongzhi , Xia Hongying , Xing Baolin
Published: August 2022

Eupatorium adenophorum is used as the raw material to produce valuable pyrolysis products by microwave pyrolysis (MP). The influence of pyrolysis parameters (pyrolysis temperature, pyrolysis time and nitrogen flow rate) on the yield of pyrolysis products is investigated to get the optimal pyrolysis condition. Eupatorium adenophorum is also conducted in the conventional pyrolysis (CP) to investigate the influence of heat mechanism on the generation process of pyrolysis products. A comparison of MP and CP indicates that MP produces more bio‐gas (48.14%), and less bio‐oil (26.35%) compared to CP. The less carboxylic acid and more phenol in bio‐oil of MP are observed in the condition of MP compared to CP, indicating that MP could upgrade the quality of bio‐oil. Bio‐gas of MP has larger content of H2 and syngas (H2 + CO) than those obtained from CP. The property of bio‐char from MP is better than that of CP in terms of heat value, oxygen content, and specific surface area, which could be utilized in the metallurgical industry.
Association of Urinary Pentosidine Levels With the Risk of Fractures in Patients With Severe Osteoporosis: The Japanese Osteoporosis Intervention Trial‐05 (JOINT‐05)
Authors: Tanaka Shiro , Saito Mitsuru , Hagino Hiroshi , Mori Satoshi , Nakamura Toshitaka , Ohta Hiroaki , Sone Teruki , Takahashi Kaito , Mitomo Yuji , Sugimoto Toshitsugu , Soen Satoshi ,   Adequate Treatment of Osteoporosis (A‐TOP) Research Group
Published: August 2022

Associations between urinary pentosidine, one of the advanced glycation end products in collagen, and the risk of fracture in patients with severe osteoporosis are unknown. In this study, we investigated whether the urinary pentosidine level is associated with the incidence of morphometric vertebral fracture and nonvertebral fracture using data of a randomized, controlled trial, JOINT‐05. JOINT‐05 enrolled Japanese women aged 75 years or older with primary osteoporosis. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive sequential therapy (teriparatide followed by alendronate) or monotherapy with alendronate for 120 weeks. Incidences of vertebral and nonvertebral fractures were assessed morphologically. During treatment, urinary levels of pentosidine and serum levels of bone turnover markers (osteocalcin, procollagen type I amino‐terminal propeptide, and tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase 5b) were measured. A total of 967 patients with baseline pentosidine levels were included in the study. Of these, 137 had vertebral fractures, and 42 had nonvertebral fractures. The rate ratios for vertebral fracture for the second (30–39 pmol/mL), third (40–49 pmol/mL), and fourth quartile (≥50 pmol/mL) groups divided by pentosidine level compared with the first quartile (<30 pmol/mL) group were 1.65 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.99–2.75, p = 0.06), 1.51 (95% CI 0.87–2.61, p = 0.14), and 1.69 (95% CI 1.01–2.83, p = 0.05), respectively. The corresponding rate ratios for nonvertebral fracture were 3.07 (95% CI 0.88–10.70, p = 0.08), 2.34 (95% CI 0.61–8.95, p = 0.22), and 3.95 (95% CI 1.14–13.67, p = 0.03), respectively. The association of the urinary pentosidine level with the incidence of nonvertebral fracture was the strongest among the biomarkers assessed in the study. In conclusion, the urinary pentosidine level was associated with the risk of fracture in patients with severe osteoporosis receiving teriparatide or alendronate. © 2022 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
COVID‐19 and pre‐tenure counseling faculty: A collaborative autoethnographic investigation
Authors: Peters Harvey Charles , Das Bagmi , Attia Mina , Parker Maggie M.
Published: August 2022

Higher education faculty worldwide experienced heightened stressors due to the COVID‐19 pandemic, from completing their professional roles and responsibilities virtually to balancing personal and professional stressors. Consequently, the pandemic created many adjustments for pre‐tenure counseling faculty across research, teaching, and service. In response to this pandemic, we explored the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on the personal and professional lives of four pre‐tenure counseling faculty members. Accordingly, we used collaborative autoethnography to investigate our experiences and narratives as pre‐tenure counseling faculty, which resulted in seven overarching themes. We discussed the implications for practice, advocacy, education, and faculty training.
Gait biomechanics after proximal femoral nailing of intertrochanteric fractures
Authors: Sivakumar Arjun , Rickman Mark , Thewlis Dominic
Published: August 2022

Proximal femur fractures in the elderly are associated with significant loss of independence, mobility, and quality of life. This prospective study aimed to: (1) investigate gait biomechanics in intertrochanteric fracture (ITF) patients (A1 and A2 AO/OTA) managed via femoral nailing at 6 weeks and 6 months postoperative and how these compared with similarly aged elderly controls; and (2) investigate whether femoral offset shortening (FOS) and lateral lag screw protrusion (LSP) were associated with changes in gait biomechanics at postoperative time points. Hip radiographs and gait data were collected for 34 patients at 6 weeks and 6 months postoperatively. Gait data were also collected from similarly aged controls. FOS and LSP were measured from radiographs. Joint angles, external moments, and powers were calculated for the hip, knee, and ankle and compared between time points in ITF patients and healthy controls using statistical parametric mapping. The relationship between radiographic measures with gait speed, step length, peak hip abduction, and maximum hip abduction moment was assessed using a Pearson correlation. External hip adduction moments and hip power generation improved in the first 6 months postoperative, but differed significantly from healthy controls during single limb stance. LSP showed a moderate correlation with maximum hip abduction moment at 6 weeks postoperative (r = −0.469, p = 0.048). These results provide new detail on functional outcomes after ITF and potential mechanisms that functional deficiencies may stem from. Lag screw prominence may be an important factor in maintaining functional independence and minimizing the risk of secondary falls after ITF in the elderly.
Surgical technique and comparison of autologous cancellous bone grafts from various donor sites in rats
Authors: Gens Lena , Marchionatti Emma , Steiner Adrian , Stoddart Martin J. , Thompson Keith , Mys Karen , Zeiter Stephan , Constant Caroline
Published: August 2022

Autologous cancellous bone graft is the gold standard in large bone defect repair. However, studies using autologous bone grafting in rats are rare. To determine the feasibility of autologous cancellous bone graft harvest from different anatomical donor sites (humerus, ilium, femur, tibia, and tail vertebrae) in rats and compare their suitability as donor sites, a total of 13 freshly euthanized rats were used to describe the surgical technique, determine the cancellous bone volume and microstructure, and compare the cancellous bone collected quantitatively and qualitatively. It was feasible to harvest cancellous bone grafts from all five anatomical sites with the humerus and tail being more surgically challenging. The microstructural analysis using micro‐computed tomography showed a significantly lower bone volume fraction, bone mineral density, and trabecular thickness of the humerus and iliac crest compared to the femur, tibia, and tail vertebrae. The harvested weight and volume did not differ between the donor sites. All donor sites apart from the femur yielded primary osteogenic cells confirmed by the presence of alkaline phosphatase and Alizarin Red S stain. Bone samples from the iliac crest showed the most consistent outgrowth of osteoprogenitor cells. In conclusion, the tibia and iliac crest may be the most favorable donor sites considering the surgical approach. However, due to the differences in microstructure of the cancellous bone and the consistency of outgrowth of osteoprogenitor cells, the donor sites may have different healing properties, that need further investigation in an in vivo study.
Surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy is an accurate technique in diagnosis of breast cancer: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Yue Xiang , Wang Yashan , Guo Dingjie , He Guangliang , Sui Chuanying , Qu Zihan , Zhao Yinlong , Liu Xin
Published: August 2022

The meta‐analysis was prepared to evaluate the diagnostic value of surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy for patients with breast cancer and to provide some statistically significant reference for the detection process. PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane library, and Embase databases were retrieved for randomized clinical trials by two independent reviewers. A comprehensive search was performed on July 15, 2022. Meta‐Disc 1.4 was used to calculate Spearman correlation coefficient. STATA 14.1 software was used to evaluate the diagnostic effect and the performance of subgroup analysis, which could be conducted to explore the potential sources of heterogeneity. Review manager 5.3 software was performed for quality assessment in our meta‐analysis. The results displayed 19 studies with 1299 patients were included according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Meta‐analysis displayed the pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, diagnostic odds ratio and the area under the curve of using surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy for diagnosing the patients with breast cancer were 0.91 (95% CI 0.85–0.94), 0.94 (95% CI 0.91–0.96), 14.06 (95% CI 9.25–21.35), 0.10 (95% CI 0.06–0.17), 140.64 (95% CI 59.63–331.70), and 0.97 (95% CI 0.95–0.98), respectively. The source of specificity heterogeneity was from different sample volume mixed with nanoparticle. Surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy had high sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of breast cancer. It was an accurate and effective technique for patients with breast cancer.
Bargaining our emotions: Exploring the lived experience of purchasing luxury fashion counterfeit
Authors: Bardey Aurore C. , Turner Rose , Piccardi Patrice
Published: August 2022

The study identified contrasting experiences of purchasing and owning luxury fashion counterfeit items: while some participants carefully considered and were ultimately satisfied with their counterfeit purchase, others impulsively purchased and later reappraised and regretted their decision. The findings underlined the importance of consumer perceptions of quality to luxury and luxury counterfeit fashion products. They showed how education about the unethical features of the counterfeit industry could change consumer behavior.
Breast cancer‐related lymphedema correlated with incidence of cellulitis and mortality
Authors: Cheng Ming‐Huei , Ho Olivia A. , Tsai Tai‐Jung , Lin Yi‐Ling , Kuo Chang‐Fu
Published: August 2022

Background

This study investigated breast cancer‐related lymphedema (BCRL) and its correlation with the incidence of cellulitis and mortality in the National Health Insurance (NHI) database in Taiwan.

Methods

Between 2004 and 2014, the NHI database of patients with breast cancer who underwent surgical procedures, adjuvant therapies, BCRL, cellulitis, and mortality were retrospectively reviewed. Cox regression was used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for incidence of BCRL and cellulitis in different treatment groups. The associations of BCRL with the incidence of cellulitis and mortality were further analyzed using the Kaplan–Meier curve.

Results

Among 100 301 patients, 5464 (5.4%) developed BCRL with a median onset of 1.3 years. At a mean follow‐up of 4.77 years, the incidence of cellulitis in the BCRL group (12.7%, 694/5464 patients) was significantly higher than in the no‐BCRL group (2.73%, 2589/94 837 patients) (HR: 3.74; 95% CI: 3.43–4.08; p < 0.0001). At a mean follow‐up of 5.77 years, the mortality rate in the cellulitis group (34.21%, 1123/3283 patients) was significantly greater than in the no‐cellulitis group (16.29%, 15 804/97 018 patients) (HR: 1.17; 95% CI: 1.1–1.24; p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

BCRL had a significantly higher incidence of cellulitis and mortality.