bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interaction and Energy Decomposition Analyses to Predict Stability of Tetraaryl Square Planar Cobalt Complexes
Authors: Mu Manting , Logallo Alessandra , Hevia Eva , García‐Melchor Max
Published: July 2023

The sodium‐mediated cobaltation of pentafluorobenzene using the bimetallic base [NaCo(HMDS)3] (HMDS=N(SiMe3)2) has been reported to afford a novel tetraaryl Co(II) square planar complex. Yet, the preparation of analogue structures with 1,2,3,4‐tetrafluorobenzene, 1,3,5‐trichlorobenzene, and 1,4‐dibromo‐2,5‐difluorobenzene remains elusive. While the metalation step proceeds leading to stable [NaCo(HMDS)2Ar] species, the ligand redistribution process to afford the tetraaryl Co(II) square planar complexes does not take place. Herein we report a density functional theory study in combination with electronic structure and energy decomposition analyses to shed light on the electronic and steric requirements to afford such complexes. Our findings show that the formation of the Co(II) square planar complexes depends on the right balance between intramolecular X⋅⋅⋅X and Na⋅⋅⋅X (X=H, F, Cl, Br) interactions. The latter further induces a ‘seesaw effect’, whereby the aryl ligand acts as a ‘seesaw’ allowing two X atoms in ortho positions to interdependently interact with Na. Only by considering both attractive and repulsive Na(X)⋅⋅⋅X interactions, the correct stability of the square planar complexes observed in experiments can be predicted computationally. We envision these insights to guide the rational design of novel square planar metal complexes for C−C coupling, a field that is still dominated by scarce and expensive precious metals.
Comparison of calculation models for flexural capacity of RC beams strengthened with TRC in China and Germany
Authors: Xu Ronghua , Curbach Manfred
Published: July 2023

The new innovative composite material textile reinforced concrete (TRC) has been intensively investigated in Germany since the end 1990s. It has become increasingly important in the construction industry. Compared with conventional steel reinforcement, TRC has advantages such as higher load‐bearing capacity, higher strength‐to‐weight ratio, better ductility, and non‐corrosive behavior. This made them a subject of extensive research and diverse applications both nationally and internationally. In 2004, Xu et al. started research on bond properties of TRC in China in cooperation with Hans‐Wolf Reinhardt et al. from the University of Stuttgart in Germany. Since then, there have been numerous researches on TRC in China. This article introduces a calculation method for the flexural capacity of reinforced concrete (RC) beams strengthened with TRC in China. For comparison, the dimensioning procedure in Germany is also presented. Subsequently, the two models are compared with each other in a case study. Both models in China and Germany have the same mathematical background and also provide similar results. However, they have some differences in definitions of material characteristics (e.g., design concrete compressive strength, strain, and stress distribution) and consideration of the damage resulting from the preloading stage.
Synthesis and Reactivity of Hetero‐Pnictogen Diazonium Analogs Stabilized by Transition Metal Units
Authors: Zimmermann Lisa , Riesinger Christoph , Balázs Gábor , Scheer Manfred
Published: July 2023

The reactivity of the mixed dipnictogen complexes [{CpMo(CO)2}2(μ,η2 : 2‐PE)] (E=P, As, Sb) towards different group 14 electrophiles is reported. The resulting library of cationic compounds [{CpMo(CO)2}2(μ,η2 : 2‐EPR)]+ (R=Mes (2,4,6‐C6H2Me3), CH3, CPh3, SnMe3) represents formally inorganic diazonium homologs which are stabilized by transition metal units. Modifying the steric and electronic properties of the electrophile drastically impacts the respective P−R bond lengths and is accompanied by increasing (SnMe3>CPh3>CH3) dynamic behavior in solution. In contrast to the well‐studied organic analogs, the prepared compounds are stable at room temperature. The subsequent reaction of the model substrate [{CpMo(CO)2}2(μ,η2 : 2‐P2Me)][OTf] ([OTf]−=[CF3SO3]−) with different N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) leads to an addition at the unsubstituted P atom which is also predicted by computational methods. NMR spectroscopy confirms the formation of two isomers sync/gauche‐[{CpMo(CO)2}(μ,η2 : 1‐P(NHC)PMe){CpMo(CO)2}][OTf]. X‐ray crystallographic characterization and additional DFT calculations shed light on the spatial arrangement as well as on the possible formation pathways of the isomers.
Controlled Supramolecular Assemblies of Chiral Cyclometalated Gold (III) Amphiphiles in Aqueous Media
Authors: Chan Aries Kwok‐Heung , Chau Ming‐Hin , Ren Yikun , Jiang Jia‐Jun , Wong Man‐Kin , Leung Franco King‐Chi
Published: July 2023

Gold (III) cyclometalated based amphiphiles in aqueous media have been revealed with excellent supramolecular transformations to external stimuli to open new pathways for soft functional material fabrications. Herein, we report a new chiral cyclometalated gold (III) amphiphile (GA) assembling into lamellar nanostructures in aqueous media confirmed with transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Counterion exchange with D‐, L‐, or racemic‐camphorsulfonates features the significant supramolecular helicity enhancements, enabling transformations of GA from lamellar structure to vesicles and to nanotubes with multi‐equivalents of counterion. The limited cytotoxicity of GA in aqueous media exhibits good biocompatibility.
In vitro cannabinoid receptor activity, metabolism, and detection in seized samples of CH‐PIATA, a new indole‐3‐acetamide synthetic cannabinoid
Authors: Norman Caitlyn , Deventer Marie H. , Dremann Olivia , Reid Robert , Van Uytfanghe Katleen , Guillou Claude , Vinckier Inge M. J. , Nic Daéid Niamh , Krotulski Alex , Stove Christophe P.
Published: July 2023

The rapidly evolving synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist (SCRA) market poses significant challenges for forensic scientists. Since the enactment of a generic ban in China, a variety of new compounds have emerged capable of evading the legislation by carrying new structural features. One recent example of a SCRA with new linker and head moieties is CH‐PIATA (CH‐PIACA, CHX‐PIATA, CHX‐PIACA). CH‐PIATA bears an additional methylene spacer in the linker moiety between the indole core and the traditional carbonyl component of the linker. This study describes detections in 2022 of this new SCRA in the United States, Belgium, and Scottish prisons. CH‐PIATA was detected once in a seized powder by Belgian customs and 12 times in Scottish prisons in infused papers or resin. The metabolites of CH‐PIATA were investigated via in vitro human liver microsome (HLM) incubations and eight metabolites were identified, dominated by oxidative biotransformations. A blood sample from the United States was confirmed to contain a mixture of SCRAs including CH‐PIATA via presence of the parent and at least five of the metabolites identified from HLM incubations. Furthermore, this paper evaluates the intrinsic in vitro cannabinoid 1 and 2 (CB1 and CB2) receptor activation potential of CH‐PIATA reference material and the powder seized by Belgian customs by means of β‐arrestin 2 recruitment assays. Both the reference and the seized powder showed a weak activity at both CB receptors with signs of antagonism found. Based on these results, the expected harm potential of this newly emerging substance remains limited.
Incidence and prevalence of eating disorders among active duty US military‐dependent youth from 2016 to 2021
Authors: Thompson Katherine A. , Bauman Vivian , Sunderland Kevin W. , Thornton Jennifer A. , Schvey Natasha A. , Moyer Rachel , Sekyere Nana Amma , Funk Wendy , Pav Veronika , Brydum Rick , Klein David A. , Lavender Jason M. , Tanofsky‐Kraff Marian
Published: July 2023

Objective

The offspring of US military service members may be at increased risk for eating disorders. However, no epidemiological studies to date have evaluated eating disorder incidence rates and prevalence estimates among military‐dependent youth.

Method

This retrospective cohort study examined eating disorder diagnoses in the military healthcare system (MHS) from 2016 through 2021. Active duty and national guard military‐dependent youth, aged 10–17 years, who received care in the MHS via TRICARE Prime insurance, were identified by one or more ICD‐10 codes indicative of an eating disorder diagnosis (anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge‐eating disorder, and other‐specified eating disorders).

Results

During the 6‐year surveillance period, 2534 dependents received incident diagnoses of eating disorders, with a crude overall incidence rate of 1.75 cases per 10,000 person‐years. The most common diagnosis was other‐specified eating disorder, followed by anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge‐eating disorder. The crude annual incidence rate of all eating disorder diagnoses increased by nearly 65% from 2016 to 2021. Rates for all diagnoses were highest in 2020 and 2021. Period prevalence estimates were .08% for any eating disorder diagnosis, .01% for anorexia nervosa, .004% for bulimia nervosa, .004% for binge‐eating disorder, and .06% for other‐specified eating disorders.

Discussion

The observed increase in eating disorder diagnoses during the surveillance period appeared to be driven by female dependents. More military dependents experienced a new‐onset diagnosis during the COVID‐19 pandemic compared to previous years. These findings highlight the need for eating disorder screening, identification, and treatment for dependents within the MHS.

Public Significance Statement

Children of US military service members may be at increased risk for eating disorders. Results indicate new‐onset eating disorder cases increased 65% from 2016 to 2021, primarily among girls compared to boys. The most diagnosed and fastest growing diagnosis was other‐specified eating disorder. Rates of anorexia nervosa increased following the COVID‐19 pandemic. Findings highlight the need for eating disorder screening, identification, and treatment within the military healthcare system.
Woody species response to altered herbivore pressure at Isle Royale National Park
Authors: Sanders Suzanne , Kirschbaum Jessica
Published: July 2023

Herbivores shape vegetative communities via numerous mechanisms, including browse. We used vegetation monitoring data from Isle Royale National Park to examine woody species change across a nine‐year interval, coinciding with herbivore escalation. Here, moose and snowshoe hare are the dominant herbivores, while the gray wolf is the apex predator. Our initial sampling period (2010) followed six years of low moose abundance, while our second sampling event (2019) followed a nine‐year escalation in moose density. We tested for change in both saplings and shrubs and compared diameter size distributions of common tree species in three island sections. We found a decline in large saplings of sugar maple, a species limited to the west section of the island. We also saw declines in small saplings of sugar maple, paper birch, and trembling aspen. For some species, including black spruce and white spruce, taxa that are unpalatable to moose, diameter distributions were proportionally larger (i.e., indicative of fewer small individuals) in 2019 than in 2010. In contrast, diameter distributions of black ash in the central section and trembling aspen in the central and east sections of the island were proportionally smaller (indicative of more small individuals) in 2019 than in 2010. We found that ~50% of common shrub taxa were more abundant during the second sampling event, while none declined. Our work here brings to light several unanticipated results. While we demonstrated partial recovery of trembling aspen, likely originating during the earlier period of low moose abundance, our results suggest further changes may be attributable to other island herbivores. The response of black ash, a hydric species, may be stemming from a sixfold increase in active beaver sites, while that of spruce may be attributable to a historic spike in snowshoe hare density. We currently have only a limited understanding of the impacts of the island's lesser studied herbivores on overstory regeneration. Further research on these linkages can inform decisions addressing controls on forest structure.
Food scarcity and disease concern reduce interdependence when people eat together
Authors: Guevara Beltran Diego , Whisner Corrie M. , Krems Jaimie A. , Todd Peter M. , Aktipis Athena
Published: July 2023

Food sharing is central to the human experience, serving biological and sociocultural functions. Historically, food sharing has allowed people to manage food shortages, creating positive interdependence among those who pool calories and other sources of risk. However, sharing food may lead to negative outcomes when food is scarce, or when there is a threat of disease. We found that sharing food (compared with sharing pencils) led to reduced cooperation with an experiment partner (Study 1) and that perceived scarcity partially mediated a negative association between zero‐sum orientation and perceived interdependence with people involved in a recently shared meal (Studies 2–3). Disgust was also associated with lower perceived interdependence toward people involved in a shared meal (Study 3; NTotal = 1126). Our results suggest that scarcity and disgust can interfere with the positive feelings people might otherwise experience when eating together, warning against lay beliefs that ‘breaking bread’ necessarily brings people together.
Refining the electroclinical spectrum of NPRL3‐related epilepsy: A novel multiplex family and literature review
Authors: Dainelli Alice , Iacomino Michele , Rossato Sara , Bugin Samuela , Traverso Monica , Severino Mariasavina , Gustincich Stefano , Capra Valeria , Di Duca Marco , Zara Federico , Scala Marcello , Striano Pasquale
Published: July 2023

Objective

NPRL3‐related epilepsy (NRE) is an emerging condition set within the wide GATOR‐1 spectrum with a particularly heterogeneous and elusive phenotypic expression. Here, we delineated the genotype–phenotype spectrum of NRE, reporting an illustrative familial case and reviewing pertinent literature.

Methods

Through exome sequencing (ES), we investigated a 12‐year‐old girl with recurrent focal motor seizures during sleep, suggestive of sleep‐related hypermotor epilepsy (SHE), and a family history of epilepsy in siblings. Variant segregation analysis was performed by Sanger sequencing. All previously published NRE patients were thoroughly reviewed and their electroclinical features were analyzed and compared with the reported subjects.

Results

In the proband, ES detected the novel NPRL3 frameshift variant (NM_001077350.3): c.151_152del (p.Thr51Glyfs*5). This variant is predicted to cause a loss of function and segregated in one affected brother. The review of 76 patients from 18 publications revealed the predominance of focal‐onset seizures (67/74–90%), with mainly frontal and frontotemporal (32/67–47.7%), unspecified (19/67–28%), or temporal (9/67–13%) onset. Epileptic syndromes included familial focal epilepsy with variable foci (FFEVF) (29/74–39%) and SHE (11/74–14.9%). Fifteen patients out of 60 (25%) underwent epilepsy surgery, 11 of whom achieved complete seizure remission (11/15–73%). Focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) type 2A was the most frequent histopathological finding.

Significance

We reported an illustrative NPRL3‐related epilepsy (NRE) family with incomplete penetrance. This condition consists of a heterogeneous spectrum of clinical and neuroradiological features. Focal‐onset motor seizures are predominant, and almost half of the cases fulfill the criteria for SHE or FFEVF. MRI‐negative cases are prevalent, but the association with malformations of cortical developments (MCDs) is significant, especially FCD type 2a. The beneficial impact of epilepsy surgery in patients with MCD‐related epilepsy further supports the inclusion of brain MRI in the workup of NRE patients.
Transversus abdominis plane block improves postoperative recovery following cesarean delivery under general anesthesia: A propensity score matched retrospective cohort study
Authors: Tao Shengnan , Ning Meng , Lu Yao , Hu Chengyang , Chen Lijian , Yang Yuanyuan
Published: July 2023

Objective

To evaluate the effects of transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block on postoperative recovery 24 h after cesarean delivery under general anesthesia.

Methods

A propensity‐score‐matched, retrospective cohort study was used. A total of 173 pregnancies resulting in elective cesarean delivery under general anesthesia between March 2021 and March 2022 were analyzed retrospectively. Patients receiving TAP block were compared with those receiving only intravenous analgesia. The Quality of Recovery 15 (QoR‐15) score, assessed 24 h postoperatively using a 15‐item questionnaire, was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included time to first ambulation, time to first flatus postoperatively, ability to tolerate ambulation, visual analog scale (VAS) score, hospitalization cost, and postoperative nausea and/or vomiting.

Results

The total QoR‐15 score 24 h postoperatively in the TAP group was significantly higher than in the Control group (P < 0.001). Patients in the TAP group had higher Bruggemann comfort scale scores (P < 0.001), could better tolerate early postoperative ambulation (P < 0.001), and had shorter time to first ambulation (P < 0.001) and flatus (P < 0.001). Correlation analysis demonstrated an inverse relationship between the cumulative VAS pain scores, time to first postoperative ambulation, time to first flatus, and total QoR‐15 score 24 h postoperatively.

Conclusions

Following cesarean delivery under general anesthesia, TAP block combined with intravenous analgesia can improve postoperative recovery and shorten the time to postoperative ambulation and recovery of intestinal function.
Role of aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio in the prediction and prognosis of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy: A case–control study from a tertiary center
Authors: Peker Ayça , Tanaçan Atakan , İpek Göksun , Ağaoğlu Zahid , Şahin Dilek
Published: July 2023

Objective

To evaluate the aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio (APRI) score as a predictive and prognostic test in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP).

Methods

This study was conducted in 198 patients diagnosed with ICP and 204 healthy pregnant women who presented to a tertiary center between 2019 and 2022. APRI scores; laboratory findings in the first, second, and third trimesters; and perinatal outcomes were compared between the two groups. The ICP group was evaluated for correlation between APRI scores and composite adverse outcomes. Two different receiver operating characteristic analyses were performed to determine optimal cutoff values of predictive APRI score of ICP and composite adverse outcomes in patients with ICP.

Results

Aspartate aminotransferase values and APRI scores were significantly higher in the ICP group in all trimesters (P < 0.001). The optimal cutoff values of APRI scores to predict ICP for the first, second, and third trimesters were 0.101 (79.7% sensitivity, 79.6% specificity), 0.103 (78.4% sensitivity, 76.3% specificity), and 0.098 (72.5% sensitivity, 72% specificity), respectively. APRI scores were statistically higher in patients with ICP with composite adverse outcomes in all trimesters (P values of 0.03, 0.04, and 0.01, respectively).

Conclusion

APRI score was found to be a valuable predictor of ICP and its adverse outcomes during the entire pregnancy.
Noise‐insensitive defocused signal and resolution enhancement for optical‐resolution photoacoustic microscopy via deep learning
Authors: Wang Rui , Zhang Zhipeng , Chen Ruiyi , Yu Xiaohai , Zhang Hongyu , Hu Gang , Liu Qiegen , Song Xianlin
Published: July 2023

Optical‐resolution photoacoustic microscopy suffers from narrow depth of field and a significant deterioration in defocused signal intensity and spatial resolution. Here, a method based on deep learning was proposed to enhance the defocused resolution and signal‐to‐noise ratio. A virtual optical‐resolution photoacoustic microscopy based on k‐wave was used to obtain the datasets of deep learning with different noise levels. A fully dense U‐Net was trained with randomly distributed sources to improve the quality of photoacoustic images. The results show that the PSNR of defocused signal was enhanced by more than 1.2 times. An over 2.6‐fold enhancement in lateral resolution and an over 3.4‐fold enhancement in axial resolution of defocused regions were achieved. The large volumetric and high‐resolution imaging of blood vessels further verified that the proposed method can effectively overcome the deterioration of the signal and the spatial resolution due to the narrow depth of field of optical‐resolution photoacoustic microscopy.
Vitamin C Deficiency Deteriorates Bone Microarchitecture and Mineralization in a Sex-Specific Manner in Adult Mice
Authors: Blouin Stéphane , Khani Farzaneh , Messmer Phaedra , Roschger Paul , Hartmann Markus A. , van Wijnen Andre J. , Thaler Roman , Misof Barbara M.
Published: July 2023

Vitamin C (VitC) is essential for bone health, and low VitC serum levels increase the risk for skeletal fractures. If and how VitC affects bone mineralization is unclear. Using micro-computed tomography (μCT), histologic staining, as well as quantitative backscattered electron imaging (qBEI), we assessed the effects of VitC on femoral structure and microarchitecture, bone formation, and bone mineralization density distribution (BMDD) in the VitC incompetent Gulo−/− mouse model and wild-type mice. In particular, VitC-supplemented, 20-week-old mice were compared with age-matched counterparts where dietary VitC intake was excluded from week 15. VitC depletion in Gulo−/− mice severely reduced cortical thickness of the diaphyseal shaft and bone volume around the growth plate (eg, bone volume of the primary spongiosa −43%, p < 0.001). Loss of VitC also diminished the amount of newly formed bone tissue as visualized by histology and calcein labeling of the active mineralization front. BMDD analysis revealed a shift to higher calcium concentrations upon VitC supplementation, including higher average (~10% increase in female VitC deficient mice, p < 0.001) and peak calcium concentrations in the epiphyseal and metaphyseal spongiosa. These findings suggest higher bone tissue age. Importantly, loss of VitC had significantly more pronounced effects in female mice, indicating a higher sensitivity of their skeleton to VitC deficiency. Our results reveal that VitC plays a key role in bone formation rate, which directly affects mineralization. We propose that low VitC levels may contribute to the higher prevalence of bone-degenerative diseases in females and suggest leveraging this vitamin against these conditions. © 2023 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).

Abstract

Vitamin C deficiency disrupts bone microarchitecture, as well as bone formation and mineralization in Gulo−/− mice, which emphasizes the importance of this micronutrient for the skeleton. Importantly, the female skeleton is significantly more sensitive to vitamin C deficiency than the male skeleton, indicating sex-specific differences in vitamin C requirements for bone.
Myocardial Blood Flow Determination From Contrast‐Free Magnetic Resonance Imaging Quantification of Coronary Sinus Flow
Authors: Tingsgaard Jakob Koefoed , Sørensen Martin Heyn , Bojer Annemie Stege , Anderson Robert H. , Broadbent David Andrew , Plein Sven , Gæde Peter , Madsen Per Lav
Published: July 2023

Background

Determination of myocardial blood flow (MBF) with MRI is usually performed with dynamic contrast enhanced imaging (MBFDCE). MBF can also be determined from coronary sinus blood flow (MBFCS), which has the advantage of being a noncontrast technique. However, comparative studies of MBFDCE and MBFCS in large cohorts are lacking.

Purpose

To compare MBFCS and MBFDCE in a large cohort.

Study Type

Prospective, sequence‐comparison study.

Population

147 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (age: 56+/−12 years; 106 male; diabetes duration: 12.9+/−8.1 years), and 25 age‐matched controls.

Field Strength/Sequences

1.5 Tesla scanner. Saturation recovery sequence for MBFDCE vs. phase‐contrast gradient‐echo pulse sequence (free‐breathing) for MBFCS.

Assessment

MBFDCE and MBFCS were determined at rest and during coronary dilatation achieved by administration of adenosine at 140 μg/kg/min. Myocardial perfusion reserve (MPR) was calculated as the stress/rest ratio of MBF values. Coronary sinus flow was determined twice in the same imaging session for repeatability assessment.

Statistical Tests

Agreement between MBFDCE and MBFCS was assessed with Bland and Altman's technique. Repeatability was determined from single‐rater random intraclass and repeatability coefficients.

Results

Rest and stress flows, including both MBFDCE and MBFCS values, ranged from 33 to 146 mL/min/100 g and 92 to 501 mL/min/100 g, respectively. Intraclass and repeatability coefficients for MBFCS were 0.95 (CI 0.90; 0.95) and 5 mL/min/100 g. In Bland–Altman analysis, mean bias at rest was –1.1 mL/min/100 g (CI −3.1; 0.9) with limits of agreement of −27 and 24.8 mL/min/100 g. Mean bias at stress was 6.3 mL/min/100 g (CI −1.1; 14.1) with limits of agreement of −86.9 and 99.9. Mean bias of MPR was 0.11 (CI: −0.02; 0.23) with limits of agreement of −1.43 and 1.64.

Conclusion

MBF may be determined from coronary sinus blood flow, with acceptable bias, but relatively large limits of agreement, against the reference of MBFDCE.

Level of Evidence

1

Technical Efficacy Stage

2
Activation of periodontal ligament cell cytodifferentiation by juxtacrine signaling from cementoblasts
Authors: Sawada Keigo , Shimomura Junpei , Takedachi Masahide , Murata Mari , Morimoto Chiaki , Kawasaki Kohsuke , Kawakami Kazuma , Iwayama Tomoaki , Murakami Shinya
Published: July 2023

Background

New cementum forms from existing cementum during periodontal tissue regeneration, indicating that cementoblasts may interact with progenitor cells in the periodontal ligament to enhance cementogenesis. However, the molecular mechanisms of this process are currently unknown. This study aims to clarify the role of cell‐cell interactions between cementoblasts and periodontal ligament cells in differentiation into cementoblasts.

Methods

To analyze the role of human cementoblast‐like cells (HCEMs) on human periodontal ligament cells (HPDLs), we mixed cell suspensions of enhanced green fluorescent protein‐tagged HPDLs and HCEMs, and then seeded and cultured them in single wells (direct co‐cultures). We sorted co‐cultured HPDLs and analyzed their characteristics, including the expression of cementum‐related genes. In addition, we cultured HPDLs and HCEMs in a non‐contact environment using a culture system composed of an upper insert and a lower well separated by a semi‐permeable membrane (indirect co‐cultures), and similar analysis was performed. Gene expression of integrin‐binding sialoprotein (IBSP) in cementoblasts was confirmed in mouse periodontal tissues. We also investigated the effect of Wingless‐type (Wnt) signaling on the differentiation of HPDLs into cementoblasts.

Results

Direct co‐culture of HPDLs with HCEMs significantly upregulated the expression of cementoblast‐related genes in HPDLs, whereas indirect co‐culture exerted no effect. Wnt3A stimulation significantly upregulated IBSP expression in HPDLs, whereas inhibition of canonical Wnt signaling suppressed the effects of co‐culture.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that direct cell interactions with cementoblasts promote periodontal ligament cell differentiation into cementoblasts. Juxtacrine signaling via the canonical Wnt pathway plays a role in this interaction.
Value of Adherence to Posttreatment Follow‐Up Guidelines for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Stone Ashley , Liu Jianyou , Lin Juan , Schiff Bradley A. , Ow Thomas J. , Mehta Vikas , Smith Richard V.
Published: July 2023

Objectives

The utility of intensive posttreatment surveillance of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has been debated. The objective is to investigate adherence to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) posttreatment follow‐up guidelines and assess the association with recurrence and survival.

Methods

A total of 452 patients diagnosed with HNSCC at an academic medical center in a socioeconomically disadvantaged, urban setting were categorized by adherence to NCCN follow‐up guidelines. Survival analyses were conducted to study the association between adherence and the 5‐year overall survival and disease‐specific survival in the entire cohort and subset of patients with documented recurrence.

Results

We found that 23.5% of patients were adherent to NCCN follow‐up guidelines in the first year after treatment, and 15.9% were adherent over 5 years. Adherence in the first year was significantly associated with 5‐year overall survival (HR 0.634; 95% CI 0.443–0.906; p = 0.0124) and disease‐specific survival (HR 0.556; 95% CI 0.312–0.992; p = 0.0470), but consistent adherence over 5 years did not show a significant association. Among the 21.7% of the cohort with recurrence, adherence was not associated with early‐stage recurrence (AJCC stage I/II). In this subset, first year adherence was associated with improved disease‐specific but not overall survival, and adherence over 5 years was not associated with survival.

Conclusion

Adherence to NCCN follow‐up guidelines in the first year after treatment was associated with a better chance of 5‐year overall and disease‐specific survival, but this significant association was not observed among those who demonstrated consistent adherence over 5 years.

Level of Evidence

3 Laryngoscope, 134:708–716, 2024
The dynamic impact of landscape urbanization on ecosystem service multifunctionality in the Chengdu–Chongqing urban agglomeration: A panel VAR approach
Authors: Li Weijie , Kang Jinwen , Wang Yong
Published: July 2023

Understanding the influence mechanism of landscape urbanization on ecosystem services (ESs) will provide useful guides for ecosystem conservation and urban sustainable management. However, the models used in existing studies tended to evaluate the various impacts of landscape urbanization on ES in the same period and fail to reveal the dynamic response of ES to landscape urbanization and the contribution of each impact variable, which is not conducive to the long‐term planning and management of urban ecosystems. To fill the gap, based on the panel data of the 141 counties in the Chengdu–Chongqing urban agglomeration (CCUA) from 2000 to 2015, this study applied the panel vector autoregressive (PVAR) model to investigate the dynamic impact of different aspects (i.e., urban scale, density, shape, and compactness) of landscape urbanization on ES multifunctionality (ESM) and identified the key impact factors. The results showed that (1) the proportion of high‐level ESM decreased by 9.13% in 2000–2010 and then increased by 19.14% in 2010–2015; (2) the ESM of the CCUA existed significant spatial agglomeration, and the high‐level areas were concentrated in the southwestern mountains, while the low‐level areas were mainly located in the central plains and urban areas; (3) There was a strong non‐linear relationship between landscape urbanization and ESM, with variability in the intensity and direction of ESM's response to landscape urbanization shocks as time. Specifically, urban landscape scale and shape (i.e., percentage of landscape, largest patch index (LPI), and landscape shape index) were generally more influential on the ESM than urban landscape density and compactness (i.e., patch density and pacth cohesion index), with LPI making the greatest contribution. These findings will help to clarify the dynamic relationship between landscape urbanization and ESM, which could provide important guidance for ecosystem conservation and urban planning.
Control of particulate manganese (Mn) cycling in halocline Arctic Ocean waters by putative Mn‐oxidizing bacterial dynamics
Authors: Colombo Manuel , LaRoche Julie , Desai Dhwani , Li Jingxuan , Maldonado Maria T.
Published: July 2023

Particulate Mn, given its high adsorptive capacity and oxidation potential, has profound impacts on the cycling of various trace elements and organic matter in the ocean. Moreover, particulate Mn acts as a sink (via oxidation and adsorption) or as a source (via remineralization and photoreduction) term of bioactive dissolved Mn(II). In the Canadian Arctic Ocean, particulate Mn distributions in the water column revealed the presence of distinctively high particulate Mn concentrations and an overwhelming dominance of the non‐lithogenic component to the bulk particulate Mn pool. This phenomenon is of particular importance in halocline waters in the Canada Basin, the Canadian Arctic Archipelago and Baffin Bay, and near‐bottom samples in Baffin Bay. Enhanced microbially‐mediated Mn oxidation in the water column is suggested as the main mechanism driving the non‐lithogenic dominance. Indeed, the microbial community composition data associated with high non‐lithogenic particulate Mn (i.e., Mn oxides) display a high relative abundance of taxa (e.g., f.Pirellulaceae, o.Phycisphaerales, f.Cryomorphaceae, g. Moritella) that have been identified in Mn oxide enriched environments. Furthermore, numerous taxa identified in the Canada Basin halocline water, where non‐lithogenic particulate Mn peaked, are phylogenetically related to known (cultured) Mn‐oxidizing bacteria (MnOB; e.g., Rhodobacteraceae, Oceanospirillaceae, Rhizobiaceae, and other Alphaproteobacteria). Putative MnOB appears to proliferate in certain water masses having a unique set of environmental conditions: low light intensity—alleviating photoinhibition—and high dissolved Mn concentrations, the main drivers known to influence MnOB dynamic, and hence, Mn oxidation.
Low‐Coherence Photothermal Interferometry for Precision Spectroscopic Gas Sensing
Authors: Hong Yingzhen , Bao Haihong , Chen Feifan , Jin Wei , Ho Hoi Lut , Gao Shoufei , Wang Yingying
Published: July 2023

Laser spectroscopy has shown great potential as a cost‐effective method for trace gas detection with high sensitivity and specificity. However, it still falls short in applications such as the measurement of stable isotope ratios, which require high precision and stability. Here, ultrasensitive gas detection with remarkable precision and stability as well as better immunity to isobaric interference is demonstrated by use of low‐coherence photothermal interferometry. With a 10 cm long hollow‐core fiber, acetylene detection is achieved with a noise‐equivalent concentration of 0.7 part‐per‐billion and measurement precision of 0.025%. The instability of the detection over a period of 3 h is ±0.038%, 10 times better than the state‐of‐the‐art photothermal spectroscopy. The measurement of the 13C/12C isotope ratio of acetylene is demonstrated with measurement precision of ≈0.01%. This study highlights the potential of low‐coherence photothermal interferometry as an alternative to mass spectrometers, offering reliable gas detection in a compact form.
Identification of a de novo variant in the ASXL2 gene related to Shashi‐Pena syndrome
Authors: Zheng Yanyan , Yang Le , Niu Mengmeng , Zhao Siyu , Liang Lili , Wu Yan , Li Taoli , Yang Fan , Yang Zuozhen , Wang Yan , Wang Dong
Published: July 2023

Background

ASXL2 encodes proteins involved in epigenetic regulation and the assembly of transcription factors at specific genomic loci. Germline de novo truncating variants in ASXL2 have been implicated in Shashi‐Pena syndrome, which results in features of developmental delay (DD), glabellar nevus flammeus, hypotonia, and cardiac disorders. However, the variants are rare, and the clinical spectrum may be incomplete.

Methods

The clinical data such as brain MRI were collect. The whole exome sequencing was performed for genetic etiology analysis.

Results

Here, we report a patient with DD, hypotonia, early atrial septal defect, and abnormal white matter signal. She presented with Shashi–Pena syndrome with a truncated variant in ASXL2 (NM_018263.6, c.2142_2152del, p.Ser714Argfs*5). She died of a digestive tract infection when she was 1 year and 6 months old.

Conclusions

Our study further expanded the spectrum of phenotypes and genetic variations of the syndrome, and we believe that it is necessary to screen the ASXL2 gene in patients with DD and cardiac and bone disorders.
Effects of malnutrition on outcomes of patients with femoral head osteonecrosis undergoing total hip arthroplasty: A population‐based study
Authors: Chuang Fu‐Kai , Yeh Tsu‐Te , Hung Chun‐Chi , Hsu Chun‐Liang , Shih Jen‐Ta , Shen Pei‐Hung
Published: July 2023

Background

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of malnutrition on in‐hospital outcomes in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) for osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH).

Methods

This population‐based retrospective study extracted data of patients undergoing THA for ONFH in the US National Inpatient Sample between 2005 and 2018. Factors associated with in‐hospital mortality, medical and surgical complications, unfavorable discharge, and prolonged hospital stay were determined by logistic regression analysis.

Results

A total of 72,304 adults ≥18 years old with nontraumatic ONFH admitted for primary THA were included. Malnutrition was detected in 7152 (9.9%) patients using validated discharge codes. In‐hospital mortality was 0.8% vs 0.1% for patients who were malnourished vs nonmalnourished. After adjusting for confounders, malnutrition was significantly associated with an increased risk of in‐hospital death (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 4.67; 95% CI, 2.43–8.97), medical complications (aOR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.32–1.68), surgical complications (aOR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.61–1.96), unfavorable discharge (aOR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.11–1.39), and prolonged hospital stay (aOR, 1.90; 95% CI, 1.67–2.16) compared with adequate nutrition. Malnutrition was also associated with higher total hospital costs (adjusted β = $9620; 95% CI, 7.87–11.36). Furthermore, the association between malnutrition, any medical or surgical complications, and unfavorable discharge was stronger in patients younger than 50 years than those ≥50 years old.

Conclusions

In US patients undergoing primary THA for ONFH, malnutrition increases the risk of unfavorable in‐hospital outcomes. This patient subgroup may require special attention and better strategies to improve perioperative care.
Flexible and thermally conductive epoxy‐dispersed liquid crystal composites filled with functionalized boron nitride nanosheets
Authors: Li Ying , Wu Yi , Huang Xiaoxiao , Gong Changdan , Shi Qin , Zhou Wenying , Cheng Qiwei
Published: July 2023

In view of the problem of heat accumulation in electronic devices, the development of new composites with high thermal conductivity (TC) is the current research focus. Nowadays, improving TC often lead to inevitable deterioration of the mechanical properties of materials. In this work, the E‐functionalized boron nitride nanosheets (f‐BNNS)/liquid crystal monomer (LCM)/Epoxy‐thiol films with high TC were prepared by using flexible epoxy‐thiol polymer as matrix and LCM and f‐BNNS as thermal fillers via high voltage orientation molding. The epoxy‐thiol polymer possessed high intrinsic TC due to the regular arrangement of molecular chains and the f‐BNNS showed favorable dispersibility because of the modification by isopropyl tri(dioctylpyrophosphate) titanate (ITDPT). The results show that TC of E‐f‐BNNS/LCM/Epoxy‐thiol films with 30 wt% f‐BNNS content achieves 1.65 W/m·K and is 511.11% higher than that of pure epoxy‐thiol polymer (0.27 W/m·K). The tensile strength and elongation at break increase to 24.9 MPa and 47.41%, respectively. The favorable results are attributed to the ordered arrangement of f‐BNNS and molecular chains, resulting from the hydrogen‐bonding interaction between OH group in f‐BNNS, LCM and epoxy‐thiol polymer. This research provides a simple and feasible method for preparing flexible epoxy polymer films with high TC.

Highlights

The functional BNNS was achieved by isopropyl tri(dioctylpyrophosphate) titanate.

Effects of matrix thermal conductivity on films thermal conductivity are probed.

High voltage orientation molding are used for preparing epoxy composite films.

The films demonstrate excellent thermal conductivity and favorable tensile strength.
Advance in the pharmacological effects of quercetin in modulating oxidative stress and inflammation related disorders
Authors: Zhou Yueke , Qian Cheng , Tang Yu , Song Mengyao , Zhang Teng , Dong Guanglu , Zheng Weiwei , Yang Chunmei , Zhong Chongjin , Wang Aiyun , Zhao Yang , Lu Yin
Published: July 2023

Numerous pharmacological effects of quercetin have been illustrated, including antiinflammation, antioxidation, and anticancer properties. In recent years, the antioxidant activity of quercetin has been extensively reported, in particular, its impacts on glutathione, enzyme activity, signaling transduction pathways, and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Quercetin has also been demonstrated to exert a striking antiinflammatory effect mainly by inhibiting the production of cytokines, reducing the expression of cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase, and preserving the integrity of mast cells. By regulating oxidative stress and inflammation, which are regarded as two critical processes involved in the defense and regular physiological operation of biological systems, quercetin has been validated to be effective in treating a variety of disorders. Symptoms of these reactions have been linked to degenerative processes and metabolic disorders, including metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular, neurodegeneration, cancer, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Despite that evidence demonstrates that antioxidants are employed to prevent excessive oxidative and inflammatory processes, there are still concerns regarding the expense, accessibility, and side effects of agents. Notably, natural products, especially those derived from plants, are widely accessible, affordable, and generally safe. In this review, the antioxidant and antiinflammatory abilities of the active ingredient quercetin and its application in oxidative stress‐related disorders have been outlined in detail.
Forecast evaluation of the North Pacific jet stream using AR Recon dropwindsondes
Authors: Lavers David A. , Torn Ryan D. , Davis Chris , Richardson David S. , Ralph F. Martin , Pappenberger Florian
Published: July 2023

The term jet stream generally refers to a narrow region of intense winds near the top of the midlatitude or subtropical troposphere. It is in the midlatitude jet stream where instabilities and waves may develop into synoptic‐scale systems, which in turn makes accurately resolving the structure of the jet stream and associated features critical for atmospheric development, predictability, and impacts, such as extreme precipitation and winds. Using dropwindsonde observations collected during the Atmospheric River Reconnaissance (AR Recon) campaign from 2020 to 2022, this study assesses the North Pacific jet stream structure in the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) Integrated Forecasting System (IFS). Results show that the IFS has a slow‐wind bias on the lead times assessed, with the strongest winds (≥50 m·s−1) having a bias of up to −1.88 m·s−1 on forecast day 4. Also, the IFS cannot resolve the sharp potential vorticity (PV) gradient across the jet stream and tropopause, and this PV gradient weakens with forecast lead time. Cases with larger wind biases are characterized by higher PV biases and PV biases tend to be larger for cases with a higher horizontal PV gradient. These results suggest that further model‐based experiments are needed to identify and address these biases, which could ultimately yield increased forecast accuracy.
A random‐effect gamma process model with random initial degradation for accelerated destructive degradation testing data
Authors: Ling Man Ho , Bae Suk Joo
Published: July 2023

An accelerated degradation test (ADT) hastens degradation mechanisms of products by loading higher stresses than normal use conditions to shorten testing time. In some situations, degradation levels during ADT can be measured only by destructive inspection where testing units must be destroyed or physical characteristics are significantly changed after measuring the performance degradation. For such an accelerated destructive degradation test (ADDT), initial degradation levels may vary from item to item. In this regard, we propose a random‐effect gamma process model with random initial degradation for the reliability analysis of ADDT data. Under the proposed modeling framework, we derive the maximum likelihood estimates (MLEs) of the model parameters and construct an inferential procedure for the parameters and reliability measures of interest, using asymptotic properties of the MLEs. In particular, the mean and the variance of the mean‐time‐to‐failure of the products from the ADDT data are explicitly derived in closed forms. Monte Carlo simulations under various scenarios are performed to validate the performance of proposed maximum likelihood estimation and inferential methods for the ADDT data. Finally, reliability estimation at a normal use condition and inferential procedures are illustrated through an ADDT example of return‐springs in a bi‐functional DC motor system of an automobile.
Autonomous aerial robotics for package delivery: A technical review
Authors: Saunders Jack , Saeedi Sajad , Li Wenbin
Published: July 2023

Small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have gained significant interest in the last decade. More specifically these vehicles have the capacity to impact package delivery logistics in a disruptive way. This paper reviews research problems and state‐of‐the‐art solutions that facilitate package delivery. Different aerial manipulators and grippers are listed along with control techniques to address stability issues. Landing on a platform is next discussed which encompasses static and dynamic platforms. Landing on a dynamic platform presents further challenges. This includes delayed control responses and poor precision of the relative motion between the platform and the aerial vehicle. Subsequently, risks such as weather conditions, state estimation, and collision avoidance to ensure safe transit is considered. Finally, delivery UAV routing is investigated which categorizes the topic into two areas: drone operations and drone–truck collaborative operations. Additionally, we compare the solutions against design, environmental, and legal constraints.
Estimation of conditional power in the presence of auxiliary data
Authors: Li Xin , Yung Godwin , Lin Jianchang , Zhu Jian
Published: July 2023

Conditional power (CP) is a commonly used tool to inform interim decision‐making in clinical trials, but the conventional approach using only primary endpoint data to calculate CP may not perform well when the primary endpoint requires a long follow‐up period, or the treatment effect size changes during the trial. Several methods have been proposed to use additional short term auxiliary data observed at the interim analysis to improve the CP estimation in these situations, however, they may rely on strong assumptions, have limited applications, or use ad hoc choices of information fraction. In this paper we propose a general framework where the true CP formula is first derived in the presence of auxiliary data, and CP estimation is obtained by substituting the unknown parameters with consistent estimators. We conducted extensive simulations to examine the performance of both proposed and conventional approaches using the true CP as the benchmark. As the proposed approach is based on the true underlying CP, the simulations confirmed its superiority over the conventional approach in terms of efficiency and accuracy, especially if observed auxiliary data reflect the change of treatment effect size. The simulations also indicate that the magnitude of improvement in CP estimation is associated with the correlation between auxiliary and primary endpoints and/or the magnitude of the effect size change during the trial.