bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modern and Tragic?: Kierkegaard’s Antigone and the Aesthetics of Isolation
Authors: Jerr Nicole
Published: August 2014

Is it possible to be both modern and tragic? Kierkegaard’s modern Antigone, the figure he creates as an exemplar of the modern tragic, is generally taken to be an endorsement of the tragic as an aesthetic ideal, but this overlooks the cautionary elements in Kierkegaard’s essay, “The Tragic,” in Either/Or . Tracing the limits he imposes, I argue that Kierkegaard is acutely aware that his Antigone, the heroine he puts forward, is trapped precisely by her desire to be a tragic figure, which in turn forces a sacrifice of who she is.
Gender and Materiality on the Eighteenth-Century Page
Authors: Lupton Christina
Published: August 2014

This article explores a series of it-narratives that claim to be told by pens, pages, and texts. In making the materials of writing the object of fictional exploration, these narratives reveal the strong association between the quill and paper with the female body in the period. However, it-narratives also introduce the physicality of reading as a literal point of contact between the body and the text, suggesting that figurative descriptions of gender fail to name the specificity, and the power, of the individual reader’s body.
Clinical Options for the Treatment of Urinary Tract Infections in Children
Authors: Ramlakhan Shammi , Singh Virendra , Stone Joanne , Ramtahal Alicia
Published: August 2014

Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) are a common cause of childhood febrile illness with 7% of girls and 2% of boys having a symptomatic culture positive UTI by the age of six years. Although there are conflicting views on the long term sequelae of UTI, as well as the place of prophylaxis, the universal aims of treatment of childhood UTI remain those of symptom alleviation, prevention of systemic infection and short and longer term complications. There is good evidence of historical and emerging resistance patterns, therefore rationalisation of prescription patterns by knowledge of sensitivities coupled with re-examination of empirical antibiotic choices is clearly important. Local formularies should reflect geographical resistance patterns along with best evidence on the duration and choice of antibiotic in order to maximize therapeutic effect, while minimizing the development of resistant strains.
Effect of submarine groundwater discharge on the coastal ocean inorganic carbon cycle
Authors: Liu Qian , Charette Matthew A. , Henderson Paul B. , McCorkle Daniel C. , Martin William , Dai Minhan
Published: August 2014

Using radium (Ra) isotopes, we estimate that the average submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) flux (marine plus terrestrial groundwater) into the southwest Florida Shelf (SWFS) was 20 ± 10 × 107 and 18 ± 8 × 107 m3 d−1 in July and October 2009, respectively. The terrestrial groundwater flux was the same order of magnitude as the local river discharge in July 2009. Shelf‐water total alkalinity (TAlk) and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) concentrations could not be explained by river inputs alone, suggesting a groundwater source. We estimated SGD fluxes of TAlk and DIC using the SGD flux derived from a shelf‐water 226Ra budget and TAlk and DIC concentration differences between the groundwater and seawater. These fluxes were also determined by the observed TAlk : 226Ra and DIC : 226Ra relationships in the shelf water, and the 226Ra flux sustained by SGD. These TAlk and DIC fluxes were 11–71 times more than the combined input of local rivers, suggesting that SGD was the dominant source of TAlk and DIC to the SWFS during 2009. SGD is an important component of the inorganic carbon budget for the coastal ocean.
Modern seasonality in Lake Challa (Kenya/Tanzania) and its sedimentary documentation in recent lake sediments
Authors: Wolff Christian , Kristen-Jenny Iris , Schettler Georg , Plessen Birgit , Meyer Hanno , Dulski Peter , Naumann Rudolf , Brauer Achim , Verschuren Dirk , Haug Gerald H.
Published: August 2014

From November 2006 to January 2010, a sediment trap that was cleared monthly was deployed in Lake Challa, a deep stratified freshwater lake on the eastern slope of Mt. Kilimanjaro in southern Kenya. Geochemical data from sediment trap samples were compared with a broad range of limnological and meteorological parameters to characterize the effect of single parameters on productivity and sedimentation processes in the crater basin. During the southern hemisphere summer (November—March), when the water temperature is high and the lake is biologically productive (nondiatom algae), calcite predominated in the sediment trap samples. During the “long rain” season (March—May) a small amount of organic matter and lithogenic material caused by rainfall appeared. This was followed by the cool and windy months of the southern hemisphere winter (June—October) when diatoms were the main component, indicating a diatom bloom initiated by improvement of nutrient availability related to upwelling processes. The sediment trap data support the hypothesis that the light—dark lamination couplets, which are abundant in Lake Challa cores, reflect seasonal delivery to the sediments of diatom‐rich particulates during the windy months and diatom‐poor material during the wet season. However, interannual and spatial variability in upwelling and productivity patterns, as well as El Niño—Southern Oscillation (ENSO)‐related rainfall and drought cycles, exert a strong influence on the magnitude and geochemical composition of particle export to the hypolimnion of Lake Challa.
Changes in the vertical distribution of primary production in response to land‐based nitrogen loading
Authors: Lyngsgaard Maren Moltke , Markager Stiig , Richardson Katherine
Published: August 2014

Anthropogenic nitrogen (N)‐loading has decreased significantly in the Baltic Sea Transition Zone over the past two decades. We show that the vertical distribution of primary production (PP) changed as a function of land‐based N‐loading using 1385 water column photosynthesis estimates, in which photosynthetic parameters were determined both in the surface water layer and in the pycnocline‐bottom layer (PBL) at six stations near the Danish coast between 1998 and 2012. Total annual PP and surface layer PP (SPP) correlate positively with land‐based N‐loading from Denmark (p < 0.003). The percentage of annual PP occurring in the PBL (denoted as deep primary production, DPP) varied annually between 6% and 30% (mean = 17%). The absolute magnitude of the DPP, as well as its relative proportion of total water column PP, correlates negatively with N‐loading (p < 0.009 and p < 0.0003, respectively). Thus, SPP decreases in response to decreased N‐loading, while DPP increases. Land‐based N‐loadings also correlate positively with the light attenuation coefficient (R2 = 0.39, p < 0.05), which may in part explain the response in DPP to changes in N‐loading. DPP occurs in active phytoplankton communities acclimated and/or adapted to low light and producing oxygen in the PBL water.
Regional variability among nonlinear chlorophyll—phosphorus relationships in lakes
Authors: Filstrup Christopher T. , Wagner Tyler , Soranno Patricia A. , Stanley Emily H. , Stow Craig A. , Webster Katherine E. , Downing John A.
Published: August 2014

The relationship between chlorophyll a (Chl a) and total phosphorus (TP) is a fundamental relationship in lakes that reflects multiple aspects of ecosystem function and is also used in the regulation and management of inland waters. The exact form of this relationship has substantial implications on its meaning and its use. We assembled a spatially extensive data set to examine whether nonlinear models are a better fit for Chl a—TP relationships than traditional log‐linear models, whether there were regional differences in the form of the relationships, and, if so, which regional factors were related to these differences. We analyzed a data set from 2105 temperate lakes across 35 ecoregions by fitting and comparing two different nonlinear models and one log‐linear model. The two nonlinear models fit the data better than the log‐linear model. In addition, the parameters for the best‐fitting model varied among regions: the maximum and lower Chl a asymptotes were positively and negatively related to percent regional pasture land use, respectively, and the rate at which chlorophyll increased with TP was negatively related to percent regional wetland cover. Lakes in regions with more pasture fields had higher maximum chlorophyll concentrations at high TP concentrations but lower minimum chlorophyll concentrations at low TP concentrations. Lakes in regions with less wetland cover showed a steeper Chl a—TP relationship than wetland‐rich regions. Interpretation of Chl a—TP relationships depends on regional differences, and theory and management based on a monolithic relationship may be inaccurate.
Bidirectional Tachycardia after an Acute Intravenous Administration of Digitalis for a Suicidal Gesture
Authors: Sabatini Diletta , Truscelli Giovanni , Ciccaglioni Antonio , Gaudio Carlo , Grassi Maria Caterina
Published: August 2014

Acute digoxin intoxication is a life-threating condition associated with severe cardiotoxicity. Female gender, age, low lean body mass, hypertension, and renal insufficiency may worsen the prognosis. Arrhythmias caused by digitalis glycosides are characterized by an increased automaticity coupled with concomitant conduction delay. Bidirectional tachycardia is pathognomonic of digoxin intoxication, but it is rarely observed. An 83-year-old woman was admitted to the Emergency Department after self-administration of 5 mg of digoxin i.v. for suicidal purpose. Her digoxin serum concentration was 17.4 ng/mL. The patient developed a bidirectional tachycardia and the Poison Control Center of the hospital provided digoxin immune fab. Bidirectional tachycardia quickly reversed and the patient remained stable throughout the hospital stay. This case shows that a multiple disciplinary approach, involving cardiologists and toxicologists, is essential for the management of digoxin intoxication. The optimal treatment of this rare event depends on the clinical conditions and on the serum drug concentration of the patient. Digoxin immune fab represents a safe, effective, and specific method for rapidly reversing digitalis cardiotoxicity and should be started as soon as the diagnosis is defined.
Impact of Comorbidity, Race, and Marital Status in Men Referred for Prostate Biopsy with PSA >20 ng/mL: A Pilot Study in High-Risk Patients
Authors: Klaassen Zachary , Muller Roberto , Li Qiang , Tatem Alexander J. , King Sherita A. , Freedland Stephen J. , Madi Rabii , Terris Martha K. , Moses Kelvin A.
Published: August 2014

Objective. To assess the impact of comorbidity, race, and marital status on overall survival (OS) among men presenting for prostate biopsy with PSA >20 ng/mL. Methods. Data were reviewed from 2000 to 2012 and 78 patients were included in the cohort. We analyzed predictors of OS using a Cox proportional hazards model and the association between Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) score and PCa diagnosis or high-grade cancer using logistic regression and multinomial regression models, respectively. Results. The median age of patients was 62.5 (IQR 57–73) years. Median CCI was 3 (IQR 2–4), 69% of patients were African American men, 56% of patients were married, and 85% of patients had a positive biopsy. CCI (HR 1.52, 95% CI 1.19, 1.94), PSA (HR 1.62, 95% CI 1.09, 2.42), and Gleason sum (HR 2.04, 95% CI 1.17, 3.56) were associated with OS. CCI was associated with Gleason sum 7 (OR 4.06, 95% CI 1.04, 15.89) and Gleason sum 8–10 (OR 4.52, 95% CI 1.16, 17.54) PCa. Conclusions. CCI is an independent predictor of high-grade disease and worse OS among men with PCa. Race and marital status were not significantly associated with survival in this cohort. Patient comorbidity is an important component of determining the optimal approach to management of prostate cancer.
Gravitational Resonance Spectroscopy with an Oscillating Magnetic Field Gradient in the GRANIT Flow through Arrangement
Authors: Pignol G. , Baeßler S. , Nesvizhevsky V. V. , Protasov K. , Rebreyend D. , Voronin A.
Published: August 2014

Gravitational resonance spectroscopy consists in measuring the energy spectrum of bouncing ultracold neutrons above a mirror by inducing resonant transitions between different discrete quantum levels. We discuss how to induce the resonances with a flow through arrangement in the GRANIT spectrometer, excited by an oscillating magnetic field gradient. The spectroscopy could be realized in two distinct modes (so called DC and AC) using the same device to produce the magnetic excitation. We present calculations demonstrating the feasibility of the newly proposed AC mode.
Contaminated Turmeric Is a Potential Source of Lead Exposure for Children in Rural Bangladesh
Authors: Gleason Kelsey , Shine James P. , Shobnam Nadia , Rokoff Lisa B. , Suchanda Hafiza Sultana , Ibne Hasan Md Omar Sharif , Mostofa Golam , Amarasiriwardena Chitra , Quamruzzaman Quazi , Rahman Mahmuder , Kile Molly L. , Bellinger David C. , Christiani David C. , Wright Robert O. , Mazumdar Maitreyi
Published: August 2014

Background.During the conduct of a cohort study intended to study the associations between mixed metal exposures and child health outcomes, we found that 78% of 309 children aged 20–40 months evaluated in the Munshiganj District of Bangladesh had blood lead concentrations ≥5 µg/dL and 27% had concentrations ≥10 µg/dL.Hypothesis.Environmental sources such as spices (e.g., turmeric, which has already faced recalls in Bangladesh due to high lead levels) may be a potential route of lead exposure.Methods.We conducted visits to the homes of 28 children randomly selected from among high and low blood lead concentration groups. During the visits, we administered a structured questionnaire and obtained soil, dust, rice, and spice samples. We obtained water samples from community water sources, as well as environmental samples from neighborhood businesses.Results.Lead concentrations in many turmeric samples were elevated, with lead concentrations as high as 483 ppm. Analyses showed high bioaccessibility of lead.Conclusions.Contamination of turmeric powder is a potentially important source of lead exposure in this population.
Experiences of Supervision at Practice Placement Sites
Authors: Diack Lesley , Gibson Kathrine , Munro Kim , Strath Alison
Published: August 2014

Background. Whilst placement supervision and clinical education programmes are of significant value in shaping the behaviours of undergraduate healthcare students, appropriate provisions which are efficacious to the learner are somewhat lacking, particularly for students studying on UK MPharm programmes.Objectives. To explore and explain the value of placement supervision to the personal development and employability of undergraduate pharmacy students.Methods. Students participated in a week long community pharmacy pilot programme, a result of a collaborative effort between the School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences and a small consortium of community pharmacies. Students and stakeholders were asked to evaluate their experiences via separate questionnaires which had been developed to elicit views and attitudes.Key Findings. Feedback from students and stakeholders towards the experience was overwhelmingly positive with multiple benefits being reported. Of particular prominence was the emphasis in student feedback on the value of placement supervision to their professional and personal development. Findings were indicative of a development in clinical practice proficiencies, core skills, and improvement in decision-making practice.Conclusions. The benefits of clinical supervision to the professional and personal development of MPharm students are well documented, although attracting professional pharmacy supervisors is proving a problematic task for educational providers in the UK.
Prevalence and Diversity amongAnaplasma phagocytophilumStrains Originating fromIxodes ricinusTicks from Northwest Norway
Authors: Tveten Ann-Kristin
Published: August 2014

The tick-borne pathogenAnaplasma phagocytophilumcauses great concern for livestock farmers. Tick-borne fever is a widespread disease in Norway, and antibodies have been produced amongst sheep, roe deer, red deer, and moose. The main vectorIxodes ricinusis found along the Norwegian coastline as far north as the Arctic Circle. A total number of 1804I. ricinusticks were collected and the prevalence of the pathogen was determined by species-specific qPCR. The overall infection rate varied from 2.83% to 3.32%, but there were no significant differences (p=0.01) in the overall infection rate in 2010, 2011, or 2012. A multilocus sequencing analysis was performed to further characterise the isolates. The genotyping of 27 strains resulted in classification into 19 different sequences types (ST), none of which was found in the MLST database. The nucleotide diversity was for every locus <0.01, and the number of SNPs was between 1 and 2.8 per 100 bp. The majority of SNPs were synonymous. A goeBURST analysis demonstrated that the strains from northwest Norway cluster together with other Norwegian strains in the MLST database and the strains that are included in this study constitute clonal complexes (CC) 9, 10, and 11 in addition to the singleton.
On Agreement Tables with Constant Kappa Values
Authors: Warrens Matthijs J.
Published: August 2014

Kappa coefficients are standard tools for summarizing the information in cross-classifications of two categorical variables with identical categories, here called
agreement tables. When two categories are combined the kappa value usually either increases or decreases. There is a class of agreement tables for which the value of Cohen’s kappa remains constant when two categories are combined. It is shown that for this class of tables all special cases of symmetric kappa coincide and that the value of symmetric kappa is not affected by any
partitioning of the categories.
The Detection ofCandidaSpecies in Patients with Halitosis
Authors: Koga Chihiro , Yoneda Masahiro , Nakayama Keisuke , Yokoue Satoru , Haraga Mariko , Oie Tomoko , Suga Arisa , Okada Fumiko , Matsuura Hiroshi , Tsue Fumitake , Suzuki Nao , Hirofuji Takao
Published: August 2014

To examine the effects ofCandidaon halitosis, the carrier state ofCandidawas examined in patients who made a visit with a chief complaint of halitosis.Methods. Subjects were 123 patients (42 males and 81 females) who visited our clinic, with a chief complaint of halitosis. Their average age was 45.8 years. To examine halitosis, an organoleptic test was conducted, and volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) were measured by gas chromatography. Tongue-coating samples collected at the initial visit were cultured in CHROMagarCandidamedium. The results of aCandidaculture test, an organoleptic test, and VSC measurements were examined.Results. The male-to-female ratio of the patients was about 1 : 2. Patients with severe halitosis accounted for less than 20%. In theCandidaculture test, the positive rate was about 25.2%, andC. albicanswas the most frequently detected. Two kinds ofCandidaspecies were detected in 75% (6/8) of the stronglyCandida-positive group. The VSC measurements were correlated with theCandidaculture test results. Methyl mercaptan concentration was higher in the stronglyC. albicans-positive group or the subjects having two kinds ofCandidaspecies.Conclusion. We suggest that imbalance of oral microbial community exists in the stronglyCandida-positive group.
Physical controls of oxygen fluxes at pelagic and benthic oxyclines in a lake
Authors: Kreling Julika , Bravidor Jenny , McGinnis Daniel F. , Koschorreck Matthias , Lorke Andreas
Published: August 2014

We compared oxygen fluxes measured simultaneously at the pelagic and benthic oxycline in a lake and analyze their relation to hydrodynamic forcing conditions. While the mean oxygen fluxes did not differ significantly among both sites, the fluxes were highly variable in time. Short energetic periods contributed disproportionately to the overall oxygen flux above both the benthic and pelagic oxycline. In the pelagic region, mean fluxes across the oxycline were limited by low diffusivities (7 × 10−8 m2 s−1) and were one to two orders of magnitude smaller than fluxes above the oxycline (0.5 and 32 mmol m−2 d−1, respectively). A one‐dimensional transport model was used to estimate sources and sinks of oxygen potentially causing this imbalance. The model results indicate that 92% of dissolved oxygen transported into the oxycline is used by the respiration of organic material imported into the oxycline from the epilimnion; chemical oxygen consumption associated with the upward flux of reduced substances is negligible. Our findings indicate that under such conditions, dissolved oxygen consumption and therewith mineralization within the oxycline can be comparable with the corresponding rates occurring in the sediments of eutrophic lakes with an oxic hypolimnion.
Insulin resistance in nonobese type 2 diabetic Goto Kakizaki rats is associated with a proinflammatory T lymphocyte profile
Authors: Lobato Tiago Bertola , Manoel Richelieau , Pereira Ana Carolina Gomes , Correa Ilana Souza , Iser‐Bem Patrícia Nancy , Santos Elvirah Samantha de Sousa , Pereira Joice Naiara Bertaglia , de Araújo Maria Janaína Leite , Borges João Carlos de Oliveira , Pauferro Janaina Ribeiro Barbosa , Diniz Vinicius Leonardo Sousa , Scervino Maria Vitória Martins , Serdan Tamires Duarte , Pithon‐Curi Tania Cristina , Masi Laureane Nunes , Hirabara Sandro Massao , Curi Rui , Gorjão Renata
Published: August 2024

Goto‐Kakizaki (GK) rats develop a well‐defined insulin resistance (IR) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) without presenting obesity. The lymphocyte profile in nonobese diabetic conditions is not yet characterized. Therefore, GK rats were chosen to explore T lymphocyte (TL) dynamics at various stages (21, 60, and 120 days) compared to Wistar rats. GK rats exhibit progressive disruption of glucose regulation, with early glucose intolerance at 21 days and reduced insulin sensitivity at 60 days, confirming IR. Glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) expression was consistently elevated in GK rats, suggesting heightened TL activation. T‐regulatory lymphocyte markers diminished at 21 days. However, GK rats showed increased Th1 markers and reduced Gata‐3 expression (crucial for Th2 cell differentiation) at 120 days. These findings underscore an early breakdown of anti‐inflammatory mechanisms in GK rats, indicating a proinflammatory TL profile that may worsen chronic inflammation in T2DM.
A framework for decolonising and diversifying biomedical sciences curricula: rediscovery, representation and readiness
Authors: Lu Tianqi , Bashir Zafar I. , Dalceggio Alessia , McKinnon Caroline M. , Miles Lydia , Mosley Amy , Burton Bronwen R. , Robson Alice
Published: August 2024

To date, most efforts to decolonise curricula have focussed on the arts and humanities, with many believing that science subjects are objective, unbiased, and unaffected by colonial legacies. However, science is shaped by both contemporary and historical culture. Science has been used to support imperialism, to extract and exploit knowledge and natural resources, and to justify racist and ableist ideologies. Colonial legacies continue to affect scientific knowledge generation and shape contemporary research priorities. In the biomedical sciences, research biases can feed into wider health inequalities. Reflection of these biases in our taught curricula risks perpetuating long‐standing inequities to future generations of scientists. We examined attitudes and understanding towards decolonising and diversifying the curriculum among students and teaching staff in the biomedical sciences at the University of Bristol, UK, to discover whether our current teaching practice is perceived as inclusive. We used a mixed methods study including surveys of staff (N = 71) and students (N = 121) and focus groups. Quantitative data showed that staff and students think decolonising the curriculum is important, but this is more important to female respondents (P < 0.001). Students are less aware than staff of current efforts to decolonise the curriculum, while students from minority ethnic groups feel less represented by the curriculum than white students. Thematic analysis of qualitative data revealed three themes that are important for a decolonised curriculum in our context: rediscovery, representation and readiness. We propose that this ‘3Rs framework’ could guide future efforts to decolonise and diversify the curriculum in the biomedical sciences and beyond.
Protein‐extending ACTN2 frameshift variants cause variable myopathy phenotypes by protein aggregation
Authors: Ranta‐aho Johanna , Felice Kevin J. , Jonson Per Harald , Sarparanta Jaakko , Yvorel Cédric , Harzallah Ines , Touraine Renaud , Pais Lynn , Austin‐Tse Christina A. , Ganesh Vijay S. , O'Leary Melanie C. , Rehm Heidi L. , Hehir Michael K. , Subramony Sub , Wu Qian , Udd Bjarne , Savarese Marco
Published: August 2024

Objective

The objective of the study is to characterize the pathomechanisms underlying actininopathies.

Distal myopathies are a group of rare, inherited muscular disorders characterized by progressive loss of muscle fibers that begin in the distal parts of arms and legs. Recently, variants in a new disease gene, ACTN2, have been shown to cause distal myopathy. ACTN2, a gene previously only associated with cardiomyopathies, encodes alpha‐actinin‐2, a protein expressed in both cardiac and skeletal sarcomeres. The primary function of alpha‐actinin‐2 is to link actin and titin to the sarcomere Z‐disk. New ACTN2 variants are continuously discovered; however, the clinical significance of many variants remains unknown. Thus, lack of clear genotype–phenotype correlations in ACTN2‐related diseases, actininopathies, persists.

Methods

Functional characterization in C2C12 cell model of several ACTN2 variants is conducted, including frameshift and missense variants associated with dominant and recessive actininopathies. We assess the genotype–phenotype correlations of actininopathies using clinical data from several patients carrying these variants.

Results

The results show that the missense variants associated with a recessive form of actininopathy do not cause detectable alpha‐actinin‐2 aggregates in the cell model. Conversely, dominant frameshift variants causing a protein extension do form alpha‐actinin‐2 aggregates.

Interpretation

The results suggest that alpha‐actinin‐2 aggregation is the disease mechanism underlying some dominant actininopathies, and thus, we recommend that protein‐extending frameshift variants in ACTN2 should be classified as pathogenic. However, this mechanism is likely elicited by only a limited number of variants. Alternative functional characterization methods should be explored to further investigate other molecular mechanisms underlying actininopathies.
Single‐Step Synthesis of Sub‐10 nm Magnetic Nanoparticles with High Saturation Magnetization and Broad pH Stability
Authors: Pustovalov Vitaly , Landers Fabian C. , Hertle Lukas , Ko Hyeon , Llacer‐Wintle Joaquin , Ye Hao , Veciana Andrea , Franco Carlos , Sanchis‐Gual Roger , Chen Xiang‐Zhong , Pellicer Eva , Puigmartí‐Luis Josep , Nelson Bradley J. , Pané Salvador
Published: August 2024

Iron oxide nanoparticles hold great potential for future biomedical applications but, to date, usually suffer from reduced magnetic properties compared to their bulk counterparts. The replacement of Fe(III) ions with Zn(II) ions can enhance their magnetic properties while keeping their biocompatibility characteristics. Yet, common synthesis methods for these highly magnetic particles require using environmentally harmful solvents, multiple steps, and postfunctionalization, all while being affected by poor scalability and high polydispersity. To address these challenges, in this study, a single‐step coprecipitation‐based method is developed to fabricate gelatin‐coated, zinc‐substituted, sub‐10 nm‐sized iron oxide nanoparticles exhibiting high saturation magnetization. This single‐step synthesis benefits from simplicity and robustness, capable of yielding large amounts of highly magnetic nanoparticles without the utilization of environmentally harmful or highly toxic reagents. Furthermore, in situ gelatin coating during the synthesis ensures particle stability in aqueous solutions over a wide range of pH and enhances cell compatibility. Systematic investigations show a direct correlation between the particles’ magnetization and the concentrations of Zn(II) and NaOH, where particles with a zinc‐to‐iron ratio of Zn:Fe = 0.18:2.82 reach a maximum saturation magnetization of 91.2 emu g−1. Thus, these particles are promising candidates for biomedical applications.
Binary‐Cooperative Ultrathin Porous Membrane for Gas Separation
Authors: Wang Bo , Zhao Wen‐tai , Xu Xiao , Zhang Chen , Ding Shuai‐ying , Zhang Yue , Wang Tie
Published: August 2024

The construction of ultrathin porous membranes with stable structures is critical for achieving efficient gas separation. Inspired by the binary‐cooperative structural features of bones and teeth—composed of rigid hydroxyapatite and flexible collagen, which confer excellent mechanical strength—a binary‐cooperative porous membrane constructed with gel‐state zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (g‐ZIFs), synthesized using a metal‐gel‐induced strategy, is proposed. The enlarged cavity size and flexible frameworks of the g‐ZIF nanoparticles significantly improve gas adsorption and diffusion, respectively. After thermal treatment, the coordination structures forming rigid segments in the g‐ZIF membranes appear at the stacked g‐ZIF boundaries, exhibiting a higher Young's modulus than the g‐ZIF nanoparticles, denoted as the flexible segments. The g‐ZIF membranes demonstrate excellent tensile and compression resistances, attributed to the effective translation of binary‐cooperative effects of rigidity and flexibility into the membranes. The resulting dual‐aperture structure, composed of g‐ZIF nanoparticles surrounded by nanoscale apertures at the boundaries, yields a membrane with a stable CO2 permeance of 4834 GPU and CO2/CH4 selectivity of 90 within 3.0 MPa.
Accounting for the Quantum Capacitance of Graphite in Constant Potential Molecular Dynamics Simulations
Authors: Goloviznina Kateryna , Fleischhaker Johann , Binninger Tobias , Rotenberg Benjamin , Ers Heigo , Ivanistsev Vladislav , Meissner Robert , Serva Alessandra , Salanne Mathieu
Published: August 2024

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations at a constant electric potential are an essential tool to study electrochemical processes, providing microscopic information on the structural, thermodynamic, and dynamical properties. Despite the numerous advances in the simulation of electrodes, they fail to accurately represent the electronic structure of materials such as graphite. In this work, a simple parameterization method that allows to tune the metallicity of the electrode based on a quantum chemistry calculation of the density of states (DOS) is introduced. As a first illustration, the interface between graphite electrodes and two different liquid electrolytes, an aqueous solution of NaCl and a pure ionic liquid, at different applied potentials are studied. It is shown that the simulations reproduce qualitatively the experimentally‐measured capacitance; in particular, they yield a minimum of capacitance at the point of zero charge (PZC), which is due to the quantum capacitance (QC) contribution. An analysis of the structure of the adsorbed liquids allows to understand why the ionic liquid displays a lower capacitance despite its large ionic concentration. In addition to its relevance for the important class of carbonaceous electrodes, this method can be applied to any electrode materials (e.g. 2D materials, conducting polymers, etc), thus enabling molecular simulation studies of complex electrochemical devices in the future.
Design and Simulation of Bionic Quadruped Obstacle‐Overcoming Robot
Authors: Zhang Chenyang , Zhao Jieliang , Zhang Tianyu , Niu Qun , Gu Yongxia , Yan Shaoze , Wang Wenzhong
Published: August 2024

Advances in bionic technology have enabled quadruped robots to be more flexible. Numerous quadruped robots in various forms specialize in walking and trotting, whereas very few robots achieve high‐performance obstacle‐overcoming. A bionic quadruped standing long jump obstacle‐overcoming robot is presented. By using two synchronous belts and energy storage, this robot is capable of high‐performance jumping. A flexible spine for the bionic quadruped obstacle‐overcoming robot is also presented to achieve energy storage and shock absorption during obstacle‐overcoming. Furthermore, the control framework by establishing the dynamic models of the single limb is proposed. To validate the feasibility and accuracy of the design theory and robot scheme, simulations are conducted. The results of these simulations clearly illustrate the robot's ability to successfully overcome obstacles of varying heights, thereby affirming the correctness of its limb dynamics models. In comparison to traditional quadruped robots, the bionic quadruped obstacle‐overcoming robot proves its efficacy in navigating challenging terrains.
Sonodynamic Treatment Triggers Cancer Cell Killing by Doxorubicin in P‐Glycoprotein‐Mediated Multidrug Resistant Cancer Models
Authors: Foglietta Federica , Giacone Marta , Durando Gianni , Canaparo Roberto , Serpe Loredana
Published: August 2024

Doxorubicin is a widely used chemotherapeutic agent that can be hampered in its efficacy by the occurrence of multidrug resistance (MDR), due to the overexpression of the drug efflux transporter P‐glycoprotein. As overcoming MDR still remains an unmet clinical need, this work aims at investigating an innovative strategy. Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) selectively kills cancer cells by combining low‐intensity ultrasound (US) with a responsive chemical agent (sonosensitiser) that can be activated to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS). Therefore, the efficacy of SDT, using doxorubicin as sonosensitiser, is studied on human MDR ovarian (A2780/MDR) and colon (HT‐29/MDR) cancer cells. The ultrasound exposure of MDR cells pre‐incubated with non‐cytotoxic concentrations of doxorubicin for 1 h has induced a statistically significant decrease of cell proliferation after 72 h. Interestingly, US has selectively triggered the ROS‐mediated cytotoxicity of the doxorubicin entrapped into the cancer cell membrane leading to necrotic cancer cell death by lipid peroxidation. Moving from 2D to 3D HT‐29/MDR cell cultures, the ability of SDT to reduce the growth of MDR spheroids by inducing significant necrotic cancer cell death is also confirmed. In conclusion, SDT can have a role in treating MDR tumors by eliciting the ROS‐mediated cytotoxicity of doxorubicin.
Enhanced Fast‐Discharging Performance and Cyclability in Oxygen‐Redox‐Based P3‐Type Na‐Layered Cathode via Vacancies in TM layers
Authors: Lee Sang‐Yeop , Kweon Hyunji , Lee Sangyeop , Cho Min‐kyung , Ahn Hobin , Ahn Jinho , Ku Bonyoung , Choi Myungeun , Jung Hun‐Gi , Shin Dong Ok , Kim Jongsoon
Published: August 2024

Oxygen redox in layered oxide cathodes for Na‐ion batteries is considered a promising approach for improving the energy density. However, oxygen‐redox‐based cathodes suffer from sluggish kinetics and undesirable structural change during charge/discharge, leading to poor electrochemical performances. Herein, introducing vacancies (□) in the transition metal layers enables the enhanced oxygen redox‐based electrochemical performances in the P3‐type Mn‐based layered oxide cathode is demonstrated. The vacancies can play a role of the local distortion buffers, resulting in the enhanced oxygen redox kinetics and the suppressed structural deformation such as P3‐O3(II) phase transition. The oxygen‐redox‐based P3‐type Na0.56[Ni0.1Mn0.81□0.09]O2 exhibits the large discharge capacity of ≈140.95 mAh g−1 at 26 mA g−1 with a high average discharge voltage of ≈3.54 V (vs Na+/Na). Even at 650 mA g−1, its discharge capacity and average operation voltages delivered ≈122.06 mAh g−1 and ≈3.22 V, respectively. Especially, the small gap of average discharge voltage indicates both improves power‐capability and enhanced kinetics of oxygen redox in P3‐type Na0.56[Ni0.1Mn0.81□0.09]O2. Moreover, the vacancy buffer in the transition metal layers results in the stable cycle‐performance of P3‐type Na0.56[Ni0.1Mn0.81□0.09]O2 with the capacity retention of ≈80.80% for 100 cycles, due to the suppressed P3‐O3(II) phase transition.
Phase II study of long‐course chemoradiotherapy followed by consolidation chemotherapy as total neoadjuvant therapy in locally advanced rectal cancer in Japan: ENSEMBLE‐2
Authors: Kagawa Yoshinori , Ando Koji , Uemura Mamoru , Watanabe Jun , Oba Koji , Emi Yasunori , Matsuhashi Nobuhisa , Izawa Naoki , Muto Osamu , Kinjo Tatsuya , Takemasa Ichiro , Oki Eiji
Published: August 2024

Aim

To evaluate the feasibility and safety of total neoadjuvant therapy with long‐course chemoradiotherapy followed by consolidation chemotherapy in Japanese patients with locally advanced rectal cancer.

Methods

This prospective, multicenter, single‐arm, phase II trial was conducted at 10 centers. The eligibility criteria included age ≥20 y, locally advanced rectal cancer within 12 cm of the anal verge, and cT3‐4N0M or TanyN+M0 at diagnosis, enabling curative resection. The protocol treatment was capecitabine (1650 mg/m2/day)‐based long‐course chemoradiotherapy (50.4 Gy/28 fractions) and consolidation chemotherapy (CAPOX, four courses) followed by total mesorectal excision. Nonoperative management was allowed if a clinical complete response was achieved. The primary endpoint was the pathologic complete response rate.

Results

Among 28 enrolled patients (19 men, 9 women; median age, 69.5 [41–79] y), the long‐course chemoradiotherapy and consolidation chemotherapy completion rates were 100% and 96.4%, respectively. The clinical responses included clinical complete response, (35.7%, 10/28), near‐complete response (28.6%, 8/28), and incomplete response (32.1%, 9/28). Total mesorectal excision and nonoperative management were performed in 21 and six patients, respectively. The final analysis included 21 patients. Five patients (23.8% [90% confidence interval 11.8%–41.8%]) achieved pathologic complete response, while 10 of 28 patients (35.7%) achieved a pathological complete response or a sustained clinical complete response. No treatment‐related deaths occurred. Grade ≥3 adverse events included diarrhea (7.1%) and leukopenia (7.1%).

Conclusion

ENSEMBLE‐2 demonstrated comparable pathologic complete response rates and well‐tolerated safety of total neoadjuvant therapy with long‐course chemoradiotherapy followed by consolidation chemotherapy in Japanese patients with locally advanced rectal cancer.
Early Eocene infructescences from Argentine Patagonia expand the biogeography of Malvoideae
Authors: Siegert Caroline , Gandolfo Maria A. , Wilf Peter
Published: August 2024

Premise

Fossil infructescences and isolated fruits with characters of Malvoideae, a subfamily of Malvaceae (mallow family), were collected from early Eocene sediments in Chubut, Argentina. The main goals of this research are to describe and place these fossils systematically, and to explore their biogeographical implications.

Methods

Fossils were collected at the Laguna del Hunco site, Huitrera Formation, Chubut, Patagonia, Argentina. They were prepared, photographed, and compared with extant and fossil infructescences and fruits of various families using herbarium material and literature.

Results

The infructescences are panicles with alternate arrangement of fruits. They bear the fruits on short pedicels that are subtended by a bract; the fruits display an infracarpelar disk and split to the base into five ovate sections interpreted as mericarps. Each mericarp is characterized by an acute apex and the presence of a longitudinal ridge. The isolated fruits show the same features as those on the infructescences. The fossils share unique features with members of the cosmopolitan family Malvaceae, subfamily Malvoideae.

Conclusions

The fossils have a unique combination of characters that does not conform to any previously described genus, justifying the erection of a new genus and species, Uiher karuen. This new taxon constitutes the first known Malvoideae reproductive fossils of the Southern Hemisphere, expanding the distribution of Malvoideae during the early Eocene.
Development of thresholds and a visualization tool for use of a blood test in routine clinical dementia practice
Authors: Verberk Inge M. W. , Jutte Jolien , Kingma Maurice Y. , Vigneswaran Sinthujah , Gouda Mariam M. T. E. E. , van Engelen Marie‐Paule , Alcolea Daniel , Arranz Javier , Fortea Juan , Lleó Alberto , Chevalier Claire , Marizzoni Moira , van de Giessen Elsmarieke M. , Lemstra Afina W. , Pijnenburg Yolande A. L. , van der Flier Wiesje M. , den Braber Anouk , Wilson David , Schut Martijn C. , van Harten Argonde C. , Teunissen Charlotte E.
Published: August 2024

INTRODUCTION

We developed a multimarker blood test result interpretation tool for the clinical dementia practice, including phosphorylated (P‐)tau181, amyloid‐beta (Abeta)42/40, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and neurofilament light (NfL).

METHODS

We measured the plasma biomarkers with Simoa (n = 1199), applied LASSO regression for biomarker selection and receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analyses to determine diagnostic accuracy. We validated our findings in two independent cohorts and constructed a visualization approach.

RESULTS

P‐tau181, GFAP, and NfL were selected. This combination had area under the curve (AUC) = 83% to identify amyloid positivity in pre‐dementia stages, AUC = 87%–89% to differentiate Alzheimer's or controls from frontotemporal dementia, AUC = 74%–76% to differentiate Alzheimer's or controls from dementia with Lewy bodies. Highly reproducible AUCs were obtained in independent cohorts. The resulting visualization tool includes UpSet plots to visualize the stand‐alone biomarker results and density plots to visualize the biomarker results combined.

DISCUSSION

Our multimarker blood test interpretation tool is ready for testing in real‐world clinical dementia settings.

Highlights

We developed a multimarker blood test interpretation tool for clinical dementia practice.

Our interpretation tool includes plasma biomarkers P‐tau, GFAP, and NfL.

Our tool is particularly useful for Alzheimer's and frontotemporal dementia diagnosis.
Guidelines for quantifying leaf chlorophyll content via non‐destructive spectrometry
Authors: Chiarenza Giancarlo M. , Slavich Eve , Moles Angela T.
Published: August 2024

Premise

Leaf chlorophyll is a fundamental bioindicator used in several fields; however, we lack clear guidelines for optimizing sampling efforts and producing comparable studies.

Methods

We estimated the leaf chlorophyll content of 10 plant species using nondestructive spectrometry methods. We stored half of the leaves at 4°C and half at room temperature under similar light levels to assess the role of storage in the chlorophyll degradation rate.

Results

The chilled mature leaves maintained a chlorophyll content within 5% of the original value for ~1.5 d, while the chlorophyll content of unrefrigerated mature leaves decreased rapidly, indicating that their chlorophyll content should be measured within 4 h. When refrigerated, the chlorophyll content of the expanding leaves remained within 5% of the original level for at least 5 d, but we suggest analyzing them within 3 d. In mature leaves, 73% of the variation in chlorophyll content is at the species level, 15% is between individuals, and the variation within leaves is negligible (<1%). Measuring one mature leaf from eight individuals was sufficient to provide a species chlorophyll estimate within 5% of the true value at least 80% of the time.

Discussion

We advise researchers to prioritize sampling more individuals rather than repeating measures within leaves or individuals. Our findings will help researchers to optimize their time and research efforts, and to obtain more robust ecological data.
Temperature and humidity as drivers for the transmission of zoonotic diseases
Authors: Zhang Li , Lv Chenrui , Guo Wenqiang , Li Zhenzhuo
Published: August 2024

Zoonotic diseases remain a persistent threat to global public health. Many major zoonotic pathogens exhibit seasonal patterns associated with climatic variations. Quantifying the impacts of environmental variables such as temperature and humidity on disease transmission dynamics is critical for improving prediction and control measures. This review synthesizes current evidence on the relationships between temperature and humidity and major zoonotic diseases, including malaria, dengue, rabies, anisakiasis, and influenza. Overall, this review highlighted some overarching themes across the different zoonotic diseases examined. Higher temperatures within suitable ranges were generally associated with increased transmission risks, while excessively high or low temperatures had adverse effects. Humidity exhibited complex nonlinear relationships, facilitating transmission in certain temperature zones but inhibiting it in others. Heavy rainfall and high humidity were linked to vector‐borne disease outbreaks such as malaria by enabling vector breeding. However, reduced incidence of some diseases like dengue fever was observed with high rainfall. To address existing knowledge gaps, future research efforts should prioritize several key areas: enhancing data quality through robust surveillance and the integration of high‐resolution microclimate data; standardizing analytical frameworks and leveraging advanced methodologies such as machine learning; conducting mechanistic studies to elucidate pathogen, vector, and host responses to climatic stimuli; adopting interdisciplinary approaches to account for interacting drivers; and projecting disease impacts under various climate change scenarios to inform adaptation strategies. Investing in these research priorities can propel the development of evidence‐based climate‐aware disease prediction and control measures, ultimately safeguarding public health more effectively.
Best practices for user consultation in flow cytometry shared resource laboratories
Authors: Asosingh Kewal , Bayiyana Alice , Black Michele C. , Chakraborty Uttara , Clemente Michael J. , Graham Amy C. , Gregory Michael D. , Hogg Karen G. , Van Isterdael Gert , Liu ChunChun , Martínez Lola , Petersen Charlotte C. , Porat Ziv , Price Kylie M. , Prickett Laura B. , Rieger Aja M. , Roe Caroline E. , Smit Erica
Published: August 2024

This “Best Practices in User Consultation” article is the result of a 2022 International Society for the Advancement of Cytometry (ISAC) membership survey that collected valuable insights from the shared research laboratory (SRL) community and of a group discussion at the CYTO 2022 workshop of the same name. One key takeaway is the importance of initiating a consultation at the outset of a flow cytometry project, particularly for trainees. This approach enables the improvement and standardization of every step, from planning experiments to interpreting data. This proactive approach effectively mitigates experimental bias and avoids superfluous trial and error, thereby conserving valuable time and resources. In addition to guidelines, the optimal approaches for user consultation specify communication channels, methods, and critical information, thereby establishing a structure for productive correspondence between SRL and users. This framework functions as an exemplar for establishing robust and autonomous collaborative relationships. User consultation adds value by providing researchers with the necessary information to conduct reproducible flow cytometry experiments that adhere to scientific rigor. By following the steps, instructions, and strategies outlined in these best practices, an SRL can readily tailor them to its own setting, establishing a personalized workflow and formalizing user consultation services. This article provides a pragmatic guide for improving the caliber and efficacy of flow cytometry research and aggregates the flow cytometry SRL community's collective knowledge regarding user consultation.