bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Out of Touch
Authors: Drouin Michelle
Published: February 2022

A behavioral scientist explores love, belongingness, and fulfillment, focusing on how modern technology can both help and hinder our need to connect. A Next Big Idea Club nominee.

Millions of people around the world are not getting the physical, emotional, and intellectual intimacy they crave. Through the wonders of modern technology, we are connecting with more people more often than ever before, but are these connections what we long for? Pandemic isolation has made us even more alone. In Out of Touch, Professor of Psychology Michelle Drouin investigates what she calls our intimacy famine, exploring love, belongingness, and fulfillment and considering why relationships carried out on technological platforms may leave us starving for physical connection. Drouin puts it this way: when most of our interactions are through social media, we are taking tiny hits of dopamine rather than the huge shots of oxytocin that an intimate in-person relationship would provide.

Drouin explains that intimacy is not just sex—although of course sex is an important part of intimacy. But how important? Drouin reports on surveys that millennials (perhaps distracted by constant Tinder-swiping) have less sex than previous generations. She discusses pandemic puppies, professional cuddlers, the importance of touch, “desire discrepancy” in marriage, and the value of friendships. Online dating, she suggests, might give users too many options; and the internet facilitates “infidelity-related behaviors.” Some technological advances will help us develop and maintain intimate relationships—our phones, for example, can be bridges to emotional support. Some, on the other hand, might leave us out of touch. Drouin explores both of these possibilities.
Extensive age-dependent loss of antibody diversity in naturally short-lived turquoise killifish
Authors: Bradshaw William John , Poeschla Michael , Placzek Aleksandra , Kean Samuel , Valenzano Dario Riccardo
Published: February 2022

Aging individuals exhibit a pervasive decline in adaptive immune function, with important implications for health and lifespan. Previous studies have found a pervasive loss of immune-repertoire diversity in human peripheral blood during aging; however, little is known about repertoire aging in other immune compartments, or in species other than humans. Here, we perform the first study of immune-repertoire aging in an emerging model of vertebrate aging, the African turquoise killifish (Nothobranchius furzeri). Despite their extremely short lifespans, these killifish exhibit complex and individualized heavy-chain repertoires, with a generative process capable of producing millions of distinct productive sequences. Whole-body killifish repertoires decline rapidly in within-individual diversity with age, while between-individual variability increases. Large, expanded B-cell clones exhibit far greater diversity loss with age than small clones, suggesting important differences in how age affects different B-cell populations. The immune repertoires of isolated intestinal samples exhibit especially dramatic age-related diversity loss, related to an elevated prevalence of expanded clones. Lower intestinal repertoire diversity was also associated with transcriptomic signatures of reduced B-cell activity, supporting a functional role for diversity changes in killifish immunosenescence. Our results highlight important differences in systemic vs. organ-specific aging dynamics in the adaptive immune system.
The Cl--channel TMEM16A is involved in the generation of cochlear Ca2+ waves and promotes the refinement of auditory brainstem networks in mice
Authors: Maul Alena , Huebner Antje Kathrin , Strenzke Nicola , Moser Tobias , Rübsamen Rudolf , Jovanovic Saša , Hübner Christian A
Published: February 2022

Before hearing onset (postnatal day 12 in mice), inner hair cells (IHCs) spontaneously fire action potentials, thereby driving pre-sensory activity in the ascending auditory pathway. The rate of IHC action potential bursts is modulated by inner supporting cells (ISCs) of Kölliker’s organ through the activity of the Ca2+-activated Cl--channel TMEM16A (ANO1). Here, we show that conditional deletion of Ano1 (Tmem16a) in mice disrupts Ca2+ waves within Kölliker’s organ, reduces the burst-firing activity and the frequency selectivity of auditory brainstem neurons in the medial nucleus of the trapezoid body (MNTB), and also impairs the functional refinement of MNTB projections to the lateral superior olive. These results reveal the importance of the activity of Kölliker’s organ for the refinement of central auditory connectivity. In addition, our study suggests the involvement of TMEM16A in the propagation of Ca2+ waves, which may also apply to other tissues expressing TMEM16A.
Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of durian (Durio zibethinusMurr.) pulp, seed and peel flour
Authors: Charoenphun Narin , Klangbud Wiyada Kwanhian
Published: February 2022

The unripe pulp, inner peel and seed of durian were used in this study. These are generally not considered edible and must be disposed of as waste. However, they are good sources of bioactive compounds. Flour extracts from the unripe pulp, inner peel, and seed of two durian (Durio zibethinusMurr.) varieties, namely, Monthong and Chanee, were analyzed chemically to determine their total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory capacities. Chanee pulp (CPu) contained a higher TPC (5285.37 ± 517.65 mg GAE/g) than Monthong pulp (MPu), Monthong peel (MP), Monthong seed (MS), Chanee peel (CP) and Chanee seed (CS) (p = 0.0027, 0.0042, 0.0229, 0.0069 and 0.36), respectively. The antioxidant activity of each durian extract was determined against ABTS, nitric oxide, superoxide, hydroxyl, and metal ions. The results indicated that the pulp, inner peel and seed of these durian varieties had antioxidant capacities. Murine Raw 264.7 macrophages were used to determine the cytotoxicity of the flour extracts. The extract of CS flour had the lowest cytotoxicity followed by MP, CPu, CP, MPu and MS (p = 0.5926, 0.44, 0.3191, 0.1471 and 0.0014), respectively. The anti-inflammatory activity was tested by anti-nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated cells by co-treating the Raw 264.7 cells with each durian flour extract and LPS. The extract of MP flour had the lowest IC50against NO production, indicating the highest anti-NO production activity followed by CS, CPu, MPu, CP and MS (p = 0.7473, 0.0104, < 0.0001, 0.0002 and < 0.0001, respectively). The information obtained in this study is useful for researchers to explore more durian varieties in Southeast Asia to find bioactive compounds that might be novel nutraceuticals for antioxidant, anti-inflammation and therapeutic functional food.
Occlusal Contact Points, Areas and Bite Force Distribution in Angle’s Class I, II and III Patients using T-scan
Authors: Thayyil Laya , Jnaneshwar Poornima , Rajaram Krishnaraj , Duraisamy Sangeetha , Kannan Ravi
Published: February 2022

Introduction: Number of occlusal contacts and uniform bite force distribution during maximum intercuspation are determinants of a good functional occlusion. Distribution of posterior contacts in the three malocclusion groups along with force distribution has been a topic of research. Aim: To quantify the number of occlusal contacts and areas, bite force distribution in Angle’s Class I, II, III subjects using T-scan and to identify the centre of force trajectory. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional, observational study was conducted in the Department of Orthodontics, SRM College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, from June 2018 to December 2018. Total 45 subjects in the age group of 18 to 24 years were divided into three groups of 15 subjects each based on Angle’s classification of malocclusion with teeth in normal line of occlusion. T-Scan system sensor and software were used to record and store data. The collected data were analysed with IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 23.0. The descriptive statistics were performed, followed by Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Post hoc Tukey test was done to find the difference between the groups. Chi-square test was done for the categorical data and the Paired t-test for determining the significant difference between the bivariate samples in paired groups. Level of significance was set at p<0.05. Results: Out of three study groups, mean contact points (p<0.001), contact areas (p<0.001) and bite forces (p=0.0032) were statistically highly significant in Angle’s class I group when compared to the other groups. Statistically, the right and the left side differences in force distribution of the three groups were significant with the forces predominantly being higher on the right side. Conclusion: Subjects with Angle’s Class I molar relation had greater contacts, contact area and better bite force distribution. There was preference to the right side in bite force distribution in all the three groups. Centre of force trajectory was concentrated between first and second molars in all the groups
A Study Protocol on Assessment of Heart Rate Variability as a Prognostic Marker in Critically Ill Patients
Authors: Kakde Yogesh Kautikrao , Gaidhane Shilpa , Acharya Sourya , Kumar Sunil , Amrutha .
Published: February 2022

Background: Calculation of heart rate variability (HRV) is the most popular approach of actual evaluation of autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysregulation, representing natural physiological changes. The natural changes take place in the interim among successive heart beats when sympathetic and parasympathetic expression is balanced on the heart's electrical conduction system. Numerous adult studies have shown that reductions in HRV predate clinical decline, indicate therapy response in correlation with results. Therefore, HRV can be functional as a measure of more accurate clinical perception. This study aims to determine role of heart rate variability and other risk factors as a prognostic marker for 90-day survival among patients admitted to critical care units.

Methods: This will be an Observational Cross-sectional Study with Control Group and will include hypertension, diabetes mellitus, Myocardial Infarction, Stroke, Sepsis cases and control cases. The patients admitted in Medicine critical care unit will be included in the study and they will be evaluated for HRV and APACHE IV scoring. Patients demographic profile, anthropometric measurements and history of other comorbid conditions will be documented. Patients’ outcome indicators like duration of hospital stay, 90-day survival and mortality will be obtained .Data will be analyzed by appropriate statistical tests.

Expected Results: Mixed effects models will demonstrate that the result of three HRV will be relatively lower from the start of day and night compared to the last day and night of MICU admission. The significant relationship between the variability of time from enrollment and log heart rate values is expected over the last day and night of MICU stay. Also, average HRV is expected to persist significantly higher as compared with that of the first day and night.
Role of Protein–Lipid Interactions in Viral Entry
Authors: Nieto‐Garai Jon Ander , Contreras Francesc‐Xabier , Arboleya Aroa , Lorizate Maier
Published: February 2022

The viral entry consists of several sequential events that ensure the attachment of the virus to the host cell and the introduction of its genetic material for the continuation of the replication cycle. Both cellular and viral lipids have gained a wider focus in recent years in the field of viral entry, as they are found to play key roles in different steps of the process. The specific role is summarized that lipids and lipid membrane nanostructures play in viral attachment, fusion, and immune evasion and how they can be targeted with antiviral therapies. Finally, some of the limitations of techniques commonly used for protein–lipid interactions studies are discussed, and new emerging tools are reviewed that can be applied to this field.
Remediation of Fouling on Painted Steel Roofing via Solar Energy Assisted Photocatalytic Self‐Cleaning Technology: Recent Developments and Future Perspectives
Authors: Fernando T. Lakshini D. , Ray Sudip , Simpson Cather M. , Gommans Lou , Morrison Scott
Published: February 2022

Rainwater harvesting on rooves is a sustainable solution for global water scarcity. The contamination of roofing materials due to biological organisms and other environmental pollutants limits the utilization of roof harvested rainwater for domestic and industrial applications. Similarly, roof contamination leads to several aesthetic, functional, and environmental concerns highlighting the importance of developing green self‐cleaning technology for roofing applications. Solar‐energy‐driven semiconductor‐based photocatalytic self‐cleaning coatings are a promising approach to minimizing roof contamination against both biological and non‐biological pollutants. However, the development of such technology on painted steel substrates for long‐term outdoor applications has become limited due to the number of challenges are analyzed in this review. Accordingly, challenges, recent developments, and future perspectives of developing and evaluating the performance of photocatalytic self‐cleaning coating systems for roofing applications have been critically reviewed in this article analyzing the research findings of recent studies.
Nanosphere Lithography: A Versatile Approach to Develop Transparent Conductive Films for Optoelectronic Applications
Authors: Qiu Tengfei , Akinoglu Eser Metin , Luo Bin , Konarova Muxina , Yun Jung‐Ho , Gentle Ian R. , Wang Lianzhou
Published: February 2022

Transparent conductive films (TCFs) are irreplaceable components in most optoelectronic applications such as solar cells, organic light‐emitting diodes, sensors, smart windows, and bioelectronics. The shortcomings of existing traditional transparent conductors demand the development of new material systems that are both transparent and electrically conductive, with variable functionality to meet the requirements of new generation optoelectronic devices. In this respect, TCFs with periodic or irregular nanomesh structures have recently emerged as promising candidates, which possess superior mechanical properties in comparison with conventional metal oxide TCFs. Among the methods for nanomesh TCFs fabrication, nanosphere lithography (NSL) has proven to be a versatile platform, with which a wide range of morphologically distinct nanomesh TCFs have been demonstrated. These materials are not only functionally diverse, but also have advantages in terms of device compatibility. This review provides a comprehensive description of the NSL process and its most relevant derivatives to fabricate nanomesh TCFs. The structure‐property relationships of these materials are elaborated and an overview of their application in different technologies across disciplines related to optoelectronics is given. It is concluded with a perspective on current shortcomings and future directions to further advance the field.
A Two‐Pathway Model for the Evolution of Colloidal Compound Semiconductor Quantum Dots and Magic‐Size Clusters
Authors: Li Yang , Rowell Nelson , Luan Chaoran , Zhang Meng , Chen Xiaoqin , Yu Kui
Published: February 2022

A fundamental understanding of formation pathways is critical to the controlled synthesis of colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals. As ultrasmall‐size quantum dots (QDs) sometimes emerge in reactions along with magic‐size clusters (MSCs), distinguishing their individual pathway of evolution is important, but has proven difficult. To decouple the evolution of QDs and MSCs, an unconventional, selective approach has been developed, along with a two‐pathway model that provides a fundamental understanding of production selectivity. For on‐demand production of either ultrasmall QDs or MSCs, the key enabler is in how to allow a reaction to proceed in the time prior to nucleation and growth of QDs. In this prenucleation stage, an intermediate compound forms, which is the precursor compound (PC) to the MSC. Here, the two‐pathway model and the manipulation of such PCs to synthesize either ultrasmall QDs or binary and ternary MSCs are highlighted. The two‐pathway model will assist the development of nucleation theory as well as provide a basis for a mechanism‐enabled design and predictive synthesis of functional nanomaterials.
WS2/Bi2O2Se van der Waals Heterostructure with Straddling Band Configuration for High Performances and Broadband Photodetector
Authors: Fang Chaocheng , Han Jianfu , Yu Ming , Liu Wenliang , Gao Shengmei , Huang Kai
Published: February 2022

2D bismuth oxyselenide (Bi2O2Se) nanosheets have received increasing attention in the field of electronics and optoelectronics due to their high‐mobility, moderate energy bandgap, and air‐stability. However, due to the intrinsic high mobility, the photodetectors based on 2D Bi2O2Se have an inevitable high dark current, leading to high power consumption and limiting its potential application in photodetection. Herein, a novel highly sensitive WS2/Bi2O2Se van der Walls (vdWs) heterostructure with straddling band configuration is assembled on fluorophlogopite substrate. Owing to the effective separation of photogenerated electron–hole pairs and the quantum tunneling effect, the responsivity and external quantum efficiency of the WS2/Bi2O2Se heterostructure are 628 mA W−1 and 147.6% under 532 nm illumination, respectively. The Iphoto/Idark ratio with more than two orders of magnitude can be obtained, and the rise time is ≈33 ms, while the fall time is 38 ms. Furthermore, the heterostructure achieves a broadband photodetection capability from visible to near infrared (532–1450 nm). The results suggest that the WS2/Bi2O2Se vdWs heterostructure possesses a promising potential application prospect in high performance and broadband photodetectors.
Photoinactivation of Catalase Sensitizes Candida albicans and Candida auris to ROS‐Producing Agents and Immune Cells
Authors: Dong Pu‐Ting , Zhan Yuewei , Jusuf Sebastian , Hui Jie , Dagher Zeina , Mansour Michael K. , Cheng Ji‐Xin
Published: February 2022

Microbes have developed their own specific strategies to cope with reactive oxygen species (ROS). Catalase, a heme‐containing tetramer expressed in a broad range of aerobic fungi, shows remarkable efficiency in degrading hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) for fungal survival and host invasion. Here, it is demonstrated that catalase inactivation by blue light renders fungal cells highly susceptible to ROS attack. To confirm catalase as a major molecular target of blue light, wild type Candida albicans are systematically compared with a catalase‐deficient mutant strain regarding their susceptibility to ROS through 410 nm treatment. Upon testing a wide range of fungal species, it is found that intracellular catalase can be effectively and universally inactivated by 410 nm blue light. It is also found that photoinactivation of catalase in combination with ROS‐generating agents is highly effective in total eradication of various fungal species, including multiple Candida auris strains, the causative agent of the global fungal epidemic. In addition, photoinactivation of catalase is shown to facilitate macrophage killing of intracellular Candida albicans. The antifungal efficacy of catalase photoinactivation is further validated using a C. albicans‐induced mouse model of skin abrasion. Taken together, the findings offer a novel catalase‐photoinactivation approach to address multidrug‐resistant Candida infections.
Monitoring the Remodeling of Biohybrid Tissue‐Engineered Vascular Grafts by Multimodal Molecular Imaging
Authors: Rama Elena , Mohapatra Saurav Ranjan , Melcher Christoph , Nolte Teresa , Dadfar Seyed Mohammadali , Brueck Ramona , Pathak Vertika , Rix Anne , Gries Thomas , Schulz Volkmar , Lammers Twan , Apel Christian , Jockenhoevel Stefan , Kiessling Fabian
Published: February 2022

Tissue‐engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs) with the ability to grow and remodel open new perspectives for cardiovascular surgery. Equipping TEVGs with synthetic polymers and biological components provides a good compromise between high structural stability and biological adaptability. However, imaging approaches to control grafts’ structural integrity, physiological function, and remodeling during the entire transition between late in vitro maturation and early in vivo engraftment are mandatory for clinical implementation. Thus, a comprehensive molecular imaging concept using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound (US) to monitor textile scaffold resorption, extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, and endothelial integrity in TEVGs is presented here. Superparamagnetic iron‐oxide nanoparticles (SPION) incorporated in biodegradable poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA) fibers of the TEVGs allow to quantitatively monitor scaffold resorption via MRI both in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, ECM formation can be depicted by molecular MRI using elastin‐ and collagen‐targeted probes. Finally, molecular US ofαvβ3integrins confirms the absence of endothelial dysfunction; the latter is provocable by TNF‐α. In conclusion, the successful employment of noninvasive molecular imaging to longitudinally evaluate TEVGs remodeling is demonstrated. This approach may foster its translation from in vitro quality control assessment to in vivo applications to ensure proper prostheses engraftment.
Proposed clinical approach and imaging studies in families with oculo‐auriculo‐vertebral spectrum to assess variable expressivity
Authors: Estandia‐Ortega Bernardette , Fernández‐Hernández Liliana , Alcántara‐Ortigoza Miguel Angel , González‐del Angel Ariadna
Published: February 2022

A diagnosis of oculo‐auriculo‐vertebral spectrum (OAVS) is established when microtia is present in association with hemifacial hypoplasia (HH) and/or ocular, vertebral, and/or renal malformations. There is no consensus on which imaging studies should be used to rule out variable expressivity and distinguish “sporadic” from “familial” patients. This observational and descriptive study was performed in a Mexican population of 51 patients (32 males, 19 females, 0–18 years old) with microtia/OAVS, and their available parents. A clinical history, genealogy, and physical examination were obtained from all included patients, as were a computed tomography (CT) scan of the ear, audiological evaluation, orthopantomography, complete spine radiography, and renal ultrasound. The same approach was completed in their available parents (51 mothers and 40 fathers), excluding the CT scan and audiological evaluation. By genealogy, 53% of patients were classified as “sporadic”; of the “familial” patients, at least 79.1% had suggestion of a multifactorial inheritance. In the available parents, orthopantomography, complete spine X‐ray, and renal ultrasound identified the following OAVS‐related manifestations: HH (16.2%, n = 14/86), vertebral alterations (10.9%, n = 10/91), and renal anomalies (2.2%, n = 2/90). Our evaluation of the parents allowed three patients to be reclassified from “sporadic” to “familial” (5.8%, n = 3/51). Our proposed clinical and imaging approach allowed the identification of variable expressivity that more clearly distinguished between “sporadic” and “familial” OAVS patients, which is of utmost importance in providing proper genetic counseling to these families.
Enantioselective Iridium‐Catalyzed Reductive Coupling of Dienes with Oxetanones and N‐Acyl‐Azetidinones Mediated by 2‐Propanol
Authors: Meyer Cole C. , Dubey Zachary J. , Krische Michael J.
Published: February 2022

Cyclometallated iridium‐PhanePhos complexes generated in situ from [Ir(cod)Cl]2 and (R)‐PhanePhos catalyze 2‐propanol‐mediated reductive couplings of 2‐substituted dienes with oxetanone and N‐acyl‐azetidinones to form branched homoallylic oxetanols and azetidinols with excellent control of regio‐ and enantioselectivity without C−C cleavage of the strained ring via enantiotopic π‐facial selection of transient allyliridium nucleophiles. This work represents the first systematic study of enantioselective additions to symmetric ketones.
Alkynyl Sulfonium Salts Can Be Employed as Chalcogen‐Bonding Catalysts and Generate Alkynyl Radicals under Blue‐Light Irradiation
Authors: Lu Yu , Liu Qiang , Wang Zhi‐Xiang , Chen Xiang‐Yu
Published: February 2022

Chalcogen bonding (ChB) has emerged as a promising tool in organic synthesis. However, compared with the well‐developed selenium‐ and tellurium‐based salt catalysts, the ChB catalysis of sulfonium salts is still unknown. Here, we report a new type of alkynyl‐sulfonium salt ChB catalysis for various ionic transformations, including transfer hydrogenation, bromination, bromolactonization, dimerization of 1,1‐diphenylethylene, nitro‐Michael addition reaction and Ritter reaction. More importantly, the photocapability of ChB was first demonstrated to generate alkynyl radicals for the synthesis of a variety of chalcogenoacetylenes. Mechanistic studies shed light on the mechanism of the photoinduced reactions and confirmed the involvement of alkynyl radicals which are difficult to generate otherwise.
Abstimmung des Hochdruckphasenverhaltens hochkomprimierbarer zeolithischer Imidazolatgerüstverbindungen: Vom diskontinuierlichen zum kontinuierlichen Porenverschluss durch Linkersubstitution
Authors: Song Jianbo , Pallach Roman , Frentzel‐Beyme Louis , Kolodzeiski Pascal , Kieslich Gregor , Vervoorts Pia , Hobday Claire L. , Henke Sebastian
Published: February 2022

Das Hochdruckverhalten von flexiblen Zeolitic Imidazolate Frameworks (ZIFs) des Typs ZIF‐62 und der chemischen Zusammensetzung M(im)2−x(bim)xwird vorgestellt (M2+=Zn2+, Co2+; im−=Imidazolat; bim−=Benzimidazolat, 0.02≤x≤0.37). Mittels Hochdruck‐Pulverröntgendiffraktion wird gezeigt, dass die Materialien unter einem hydrostatischen Druck von bis zu 4000 bar reversibel von einer offenporigen (open pore,op) in eine geschlossenporige (closed pore,cp) Phase kontrahieren. Eine sukzessive Erhöhung des bim−‐Anteils (x) verstärkt das Netzwerk und führt zu einem höheren Schwellendruck für den Übergang von derop‐ zurcp‐Phase, wohingegen die Volumenkontraktion während des Übergangs abnimmt. Bemerkenswert ist, dass der typische diskontinuierliche Übergang von derop‐ zurcp‐Phase (erster Ordnung) fürx≥0.35 ein ungewöhnlicher kontinuierlicher Übergang wird (zweiter Ordnung). Dies ermöglicht eine kontinuierliche Feinabstimmung des Hohlraumvolumens und der Porengröße des Materials durch Anpassung des Drucks und eröffnet somit neue Möglichkeiten für den Einsatz von MOFs in druckschaltbaren Systemen, Membranen und Aktuatoren.
Dibenzodiazapyracylenes: Doubly N‐Doped Cyclopenta‐Fused Polycyclic Molecules That Exhibit High Carrier Mobility
Authors: Morimoto Yuki , Koo Yun Hee , Otsubo Kazuya , Kitakado Hidetsugu , Seki Shu , Osuka Atsuhiro , Tanaka Takayuki
Published: February 2022

Pyracylene is a unique cyclopenta‐fused polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (CP‐PAH) that exhibits dual aromatic characteristics. Herein we report the synthesis of doubly N‐doped benzannulated pyracylenes, namely dibenzodiazapyracylenes, by oxidative N−N linking reaction of [2.2](2,5)pyrrolophane‐type precursors. Dibenzodiazapyracylenes displayed well‐ordered π‐stacked molecular packing in the solid state, which were feasible for effective hole‐transporting along the stacking direction. High carrier mobility was estimated by microwave conductivity measurements as compared to dibenzoullazine. The high HOMO level of dibenzodiazapyracylene was verified by electrochemistry and its persistent radical cation species has been detected.
Regulating the Tip Effect on Single‐Atom and Cluster Catalysts: Forming Reversible Oxygen Species with High Efficiency in Chlorine Evolution Reaction
Authors: Yang Jiarui , Li Wen‐Hao , Xu Kaini , Tan Shengdong , Wang Dingsheng , Li Yadong
Published: February 2022

Chlorine evolution reaction has been applied in the production since a century ago. After times of evolution, it has been widely realized by the electrocatalytic process on anode nowadays. However, the anode applied in production contains a large amount of precious metal, increasing the cost. It is thus an opportunity to apply sub‐nano catalysts in this field. By regulating the tip effect (TE) of the catalyst, it was discovered that the oxidized sub‐nano iridium clusters supported by titanium carbide exhibit much higher efficiency than the single‐atom one, which demonstrates the significance of modifying the electronic interaction. Moreover, it exhibits a ≈20 % decrease of the electricity, ≈98 % selectivity towards chlorine evolution reaction, and high durability of over 350 h. Therefore, this cluster catalyst performs great potential in applying in the practical production and the comprehension of the tip effect on different types of catalysts is also pushed to a higher level.
Tailoring a Near‐Infrared Macrocyclization Scaffold Allows the Control of In Situ Self‐Assembly for Photoacoustic/PET Bimodal Imaging
Authors: Wang Yuqi , Bai He , Miao Yinxing , Weng Jianhui , Huang Zheng , Fu Jiayu , Zhang Yan , Lin Jianguo , Ye Deju
Published: February 2022

Enzyme‐triggered macrocyclization and in situ self‐assembly of small molecules into nanoparticles has shown promise to design activatable probes for molecular imaging. However, controlling macrocyclization and self‐assembly to concurrently augment positron emission tomography (PET) and photoacoustic (PA) signals for bimodality imaging is challenging. Herein, we report the engineering of a triazole‐IR780 fluorophore as a versatile macrocyclization scaffold for controlling in situ self‐assembly and design a caspase‐3‐activatable PA/PET bimodal probe ([18F]‐IR780‐1) for in vivo imaging of tumor apoptosis. By leveraging the high‐sensitivity whole‐body imaging signals offered by PET with the high‐resolution imaging signals offered by PA,[18F]‐IR780‐1can provide a promising tool for the early evaluation of antitumor efficacy, helpful for optimizing the therapeutic protocol for patients. This scaffold may be adopted to design other activatable bimodal probes for in vivo imaging.
Streamline Sulfur Redox Reactions to Achieve Efficient Room‐Temperature Sodium–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Lei Yaojie , Wu Can , Lu Xinxin , Hua Weibo , Li Shaobo , Liang Yaru , Liu Hanwen , Lai Wei‐Hong , Gu Qinfeng , Cai Xiaolan , Wang Nana , Wang Yun‐Xiao , Chou Shu‐Lei , Liu Hua‐Kun , Wang Guoxiu , Dou Shi‐Xue
Published: February 2022

It is vital to dynamically regulate S activity to achieve efficient and stable room‐temperature sodium–sulfur (RT/Na−S) batteries. Herein, we report using cobalt sulfide as an electron reservoir to enhance the activity of sulfur cathodes, and simultaneously combining with cobalt single atoms as double‐end binding sites for a stable S conversion process. The rationally constructed CoS2 electron reservoir enables the straight reduction of S to short‐chain sodium polysulfides (Na2S4) via a streamlined redox path through electron transfer. Meanwhile, cobalt single atoms synergistically work with the electron reservoir to reinforce the streamlined redox path, which immobilize in situ formed long‐chain products and catalyze their conversion, thus realizing high S utilization and sustainable cycling stability. The as‐developed sulfur cathodes exhibit a superior rate performance of 443 mAh g−1 at 5 A g−1 with a high cycling capacity retention of 80 % after 5000 cycles at 5 A g−1.
Basking shark tourism in Donegal, Ireland – a case‐study of public interest and support for shark conservation
Authors: Gray Chelsea , Peters‐Burton Erin , Smith Cynthia , Parsons E.C.M.
Published: February 2022

Basking sharks (Cetorhinus maximus) visit the coastal waters of Ireland annually, and while protected in Northern Ireland, they are not protected by domestic legislation in Ireland. In Ireland, basking shark conservation relies heavily on publicly reported sightings to assess population size and migration patterns.

While basking shark tourism is popular in nearby Scotland, Irish tourism materials rarely feature basking sharks.

In order to determine public awareness about basking sharks, public support for basking shark conservation and interest in shark tourism, 173 residents and visitors in Buncrana, Ireland were surveyed in July 2018.

The results indicated that public knowledge of basking sharks is low, whilst support for basking shark conservation and interest in tourism are high.

Despite the fact that conservation groups rely on publicly reported sightings as a cost‐effective research tool that is important for conservation policy, only 7% of survey respondents were aware that they could report a basking shark sighting to local research organizations (Irish Whale and Dolphin Group or Irish Basking Shark Group).

Individuals who support conservation were significantly more likely to believe that others would be willing to pay to view basking sharks, indicating a link between tourism potential and support for conservation.

This study showed that there may be an untapped tourism market for basking shark viewing in Donegal as well as public support for shark conservation.
Current perspectives on naturally occurring saponins as anticancer agents
Authors: Wang Ruo
Published: February 2022

Saponins, a heterogeneous group of sterol and triterpene glycosides, are distributed widely in nature. Naturally occurring saponins could act on diverse targets in cancer cells and consequently exert potential antiproliferative effects in various cancers, including drug‐resistant forms. Therefore, naturally occurring saponins are useful templates for the discovery of novel anticancer candidates. Covering articles published between January 2020 and October 2021, this review aims to outline the recent development of naturally occurring steroidal and triterpenoidal saponins with anticancer potential to provide novel anticancer lead hits/candidates.
American College of Rheumatology Clinical Guidance for Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children Associated With SARS–CoV‐2 and Hyperinflammation in Pediatric COVID‐19: Version 3
Authors: Henderson Lauren A. , Canna Scott W. , Friedman Kevin G. , Gorelik Mark , Lapidus Sivia K. , Bassiri Hamid , Behrens Edward M. , Kernan Kate F. , Schulert Grant S. , Seo Philip , Son Mary Beth F. , Tremoulet Adriana H. , VanderPluym Christina , Yeung Rae S. M. , Mudano Amy S. , Turner Amy S. , Karp David R. , Mehta Jay J.
Published: February 2022

Objective

To provide guidance on the management of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS‐C), a condition characterized by fever, inflammation, and multiorgan dysfunction that manifests late in the course of SARS–CoV‐2 infection. Recommendations are also provided for children with hyperinflammation during COVID‐19, the acute, infectious phase of SARS–CoV‐2 infection.

Methods

The Task Force is composed of 9 pediatric rheumatologists and 2 adult rheumatologists, 2 pediatric cardiologists, 2 pediatric infectious disease specialists, and 1 pediatric critical care physician. Preliminary statements addressing clinical questions related to MIS‐C and hyperinflammation in COVID‐19 were developed based on evidence reports. Consensus was built through a modified Delphi process that involved anonymous voting and webinar discussion. A 9‐point scale was used to determine the appropriateness of each statement (median scores of 1–3 for inappropriate, 4–6 for uncertain, and 7–9 for appropriate). Consensus was rated as low, moderate, or high based on dispersion of the votes. Approved guidance statements were those that were classified as appropriate with moderate or high levels of consensus, which were prespecified before voting.

Results

The guidance was approved in June 2020 and updated in November 2020 and October 2021, and consists of 41 final guidance statements accompanied by flow diagrams depicting the diagnostic pathway for MIS‐C and recommendations for initial immunomodulatory treatment of MIS‐C.

Conclusion

Our understanding of SARS–CoV‐2–related syndromes in the pediatric population continues to evolve. This guidance document reflects currently available evidence coupled with expert opinion, and will be revised as further evidence becomes available.
Identifying water quality variables most strongly influencing Legionella concentrations in building plumbing
Authors: Julien Ryan , Saravi Babak , Nejadhashemi Amirpouyan , Whelton Andrew J. , Aw Tiong Gim , Mitchell Jade
Published: February 2022

Opportunistic pathogens, such as several species of Legionella, are a growing concern globally. This is especially true in building plumbing. Plumbing design guidance has not been updated to reflect changes in use, leading to increased hydraulic retention time and exacerbating pathogen risks. While the effects of several water quality variables on Legionella spp. concentrations are well‐studied at bench‐scale, little is known about the strength of, or interactions between, these relationships in full‐scale plumbing. The influence of water quality variables and water use metrics on Legionella spp. concentrations was evaluated with several statistical tools from a data‐driven perspective. The results add to the weight of evidence required to develop systematic risk management strategies like monitoring. Variables related to Legionella and logistically more feasible to measure in full scale buildings, such as dissolved oxygen, heterotrophic plate count, total organic carbon, and water age, were identified.
Growth parameter estimation and model simulation for three industrially relevant microalgae: Picochlorum, Nannochloropsis, and Neochloris
Authors: Barten Robin , Chin‐On Rocca , de Vree Jeroen , van Beersum Ellen , Wijffels Rene H. , Barbosa Maria J. , Janssen Marcel
Published: February 2022

Multiple models have been developed in the field to simulate growth and product accumulation of microalgal cultures. These models heavily depend on the accurate estimation of growth parameters. In this paper growth parameters are presented for three industrially relevant microalgae species: Nannochloropsis sp., Neochloris oleoabundans, and Picochlorum sp. (BPE23). Dedicated growth experiments were done in photobioreactors to determine the maximal biomass yield on light and maintenance rate, while oxygen evolution experiments were performed to estimate the maximal specific growth rate. Picochlorum sp. exhibited the highest specific growth rate of 4.98 ± 0.24 day−1 and the lowest specific maintenance rate of 0.079 day−1, whereas N. oleoabundans showed the highest biomass yield on light of 1.78 gx·molph−1. The measured growth parameters were used in a simple kinetic growth model for verification. When simulating growth under light conditions as found at Bonaire (12 °N, 68° W), Picochlorum sp. displayed the highest areal biomass productivity of 32.2 g.m−2·day−1 and photosynthetic efficiency of 2.8%. The presented growth parameters show to be accurate compared to experimental data and can be used for model calibration by scientists and industrial communities in the field.
Lobular capillary hemangioma of the conjunctiva
Authors: Suman Suwarna , Kumar Arushi , Rathod Hemant U.
Published: February 2022

We report a case of lobular capillary hemangioma of the conjunctiva in a 32‐year‐old man, who had no history of eye surgery or trauma, and did not respond to topical corticosteroid therapy. He was treated successfully by surgical excision. Excisional biopsy confirms the diagnosis and rules out any malignant lesion in medically uncontrolled cases.
Efficiency of anti‐VEGF therapy in central nervous system AML relapse: A case report and literature review
Authors: Cao Han‐Yu , Tao Tao , Shen Xiang‐Dong , Bai Lian , Wan Chao‐Ling , Wu De‐Pei , Li Jin‐Li , Xue Sheng‐Li
Published: February 2022

There have been few reports on the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) relapse. This case study demonstrates that bevacizumab may be a viable treatment option when combined with IT chemotherapy as maintenance therapy for those with CNS leukemia.
Riparian forest productivity decline initiated by streamflow diversion then amplified by atmospheric drought 40 years later
Authors: Schook Derek M. , Friedman Jonathan M. , Hoover Jamie D. , Rice Steven E. , Thaxton Richard D. , Cooper David J.
Published: February 2022

Riparian trees and their annual growth rings can be used to reconstruct drought histories related to streamflow. Because the death of individual trees reduces competition for survivors, however, tree‐ring chronologies based only on surviving trees may underestimate drought impacts. This problem can be addressed by calculating productivity at the stand scale to account for tree mortality and establishment. In the semi‐arid Great Basin in the western United States, we calculated riparian wood production from 1946 to 2016 along a stream where most flow has been removed by a diversion pipeline since 1961. The water table was found to be generally below the root zone of cottonwoods (Populus angustifolia and P. angustifolia × trichocarpa) in the pipeline‐dewatered reach but within it in reference reaches. To reconstruct forest productivity through time, we separately combined measurements of tree‐ring basal area increment with either changing forest area from aerial photos or a census of cross‐dated living and dead cottonwoods. Both approaches revealed productivity declines in the dewatered reach relative to adjacent reference reaches, and the decline accelerated in the 2000s. Tree‐ring narrowing resulted in divergence between the dewatered reach and one reference reach within 5 years after diversion. However, the dewatered reach did not diverge from the other reference reach until 40 years later, when an unprecedented early 2000s atmospheric drought coupled with diversion to cause extensive cottonwood mortality. We conclude that dendrochronological investigations of forest response to environmental stress should incorporate stand dynamics and that the full impacts of flow diversion can be delayed for decades.
Volatility spillovers: A sparse multivariate GARCH approach with an application to commodity markets
Authors: Dhaene Geert , Sercu Piet , Wu Jianbin
Published: February 2022

We propose sparse DCC‐GARCH and BEKK‐GARCH models based on regularization. We use the models to study daily return volatility and correlation spillovers for the 24 constituents of the Bloomberg commodity index in the period 2000–2018. The sparse models outperform the diagonal models out‐of‐sample in terms of model fit and other criteria. We also test whether the higher visibility of metals and energy markets compared with agricultural commodities affects the speed of information processing. We find correlation spillovers from metals and energy to agricultural commodities even though the latter tend to settle somewhat later.
Investment horizon and option market activity
Authors: Kim Da‐Hea
Published: February 2022

This paper uses a unique data set of institutional investors’ equity and equity option holdings to investigate how their investment horizons are associated with option trading and its information content. Firms with more short‐term investors have more active option markets relative to stock markets. Also, they have a greater proportion of option trading volume ascribed to high‐leveraged contracts. Furthermore, both abnormal option trading before earnings announcements and informativeness of option market statistics are more pronounced when short‐term investors predominate. These findings suggest that short‐term institutions trade leveraged contracts actively to exploit information, thus effecting price discovery in option markets.
Data‐driven staging of genetic frontotemporal dementia using multi‐modal MRI
Authors: McCarthy Jillian , Borroni Barbara , Sanchez‐Valle Raquel , Moreno Fermin , Laforce Robert , Graff Caroline , Synofzik Matthis , Galimberti Daniela , Rowe James B. , Masellis Mario , Tartaglia Maria Carmela , Finger Elizabeth , Vandenberghe Rik , de Mendonça Alexandre , Tagliavini Fabrizio , Santana Isabel , Butler Chris , Gerhard Alex , Danek Adrian , Levin Johannes , Otto Markus , Frisoni Giovanni , Ghidoni Roberta , Sorbi Sandro , Jiskoot Lize C. , Seelaar Harro , van Swieten John C. , Rohrer Jonathan D. , Iturria‐Medina Yasser , Ducharme Simon ,   GENetic Frontotemporal Dementia Initiative (GENFI)
Published: February 2022

Frontotemporal dementia in genetic forms is highly heterogeneous and begins many years to prior symptom onset, complicating disease understanding and treatment development. Unifying methods to stage the disease during both the presymptomatic and symptomatic phases are needed for the development of clinical trials outcomes. Here we used the contrastive trajectory inference (cTI), an unsupervised machine learning algorithm that analyzes temporal patterns in high‐dimensional large‐scale population datasets to obtain individual scores of disease stage. We used cross‐sectional MRI data (gray matter density, T1/T2 ratio as a proxy for myelin content, resting‐state functional amplitude, gray matter fractional anisotropy, and mean diffusivity) from 383 gene carriers (269 presymptomatic and 115 symptomatic) and a control group of 253 noncarriers in the Genetic Frontotemporal Dementia Initiative. We compared the cTI‐obtained disease scores to the estimated years to onset (age—mean age of onset in relatives), clinical, and neuropsychological test scores. The cTI based disease scores were correlated with all clinical and neuropsychological tests (measuring behavioral symptoms, attention, memory, language, and executive functions), with the highest contribution coming from mean diffusivity. Mean cTI scores were higher in the presymptomatic carriers than controls, indicating that the method may capture subtle pre‐dementia cerebral changes, although this change was not replicated in a subset of subjects with complete data. This study provides a proof of concept that cTI can identify data‐driven disease stages in a heterogeneous sample combining different mutations and disease stages of genetic FTD using only MRI metrics.
Therapeutic plasma exchange for the treatment of refractory necrotizing autoimmune myopathy
Authors: Kruse Robert L. , Albayda Jemima , Vozniak Sonja O. , Lawrence Courtney E. , Goel Ruchika , Lokhandwala Parvez M. , Ness Paul M. , Tobian Aaron A.R. , Bloch Evan M. , Crowe Elizabeth P.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Necrotizing autoimmune myopathy (NAM) is strongly associated with pathognomonic autoantibodies targeting 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl‐coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR) or signal recognition particle (SRP), whose levels in turn are correlated with serum creatine kinase (CK) and necrosis. Thus, NAM may be amenable to therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) to remove pathogenic antibodies and improve patient symptoms.

Methods

A retrospective case series and literature review of patients presenting with NAM and undergoing treatment with TPE was performed. Clinical data including patient demographics, symptoms, physical exam findings, muscle biopsy, lower extremity imaging, prior therapy, and duration from diagnosis to TPE initiation were collected retrospectively for adult patients with NAM treated with TPE after failing to respond to immunomodulatory therapy. Laboratory data including change in CK levels and myositis‐specific antibody titers from baseline were measured in some patients.

Results

Six patients (median age at diagnosis 52.5 years, interquartile range [IQR] 35.8‐64.5 years, four male/two female) underwent a median of 7.5 (IQR: 5‐10) TPE procedures with 5% albumin as replacement. All patients exhibited a statistically significant reduction in CK level from pre‐TPE baseline (range: 43.0%‐58.7% reduction). Responses in this cohort were best in patients with antibodies targeting HMGCR and SRP, which are most strongly associated with NAM. These results compare favorably to a literature review of NAM patients (n = 19) treated with TPE, who also exhibited positive clinical and laboratory responses across varying treatment lengths.

Conclusion

TPE can play a role in the management of NAM, particularly in patients with HMGCR or SRP antibodies who are refractory to pharmacologic immunosuppression.