bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mice Lacking Wnt9a or Wnt4 Are Prone to Develop Spontaneous Osteoarthritis With Age and Display Alteration in Either the Trabecular or Cortical Bone Compartment
Authors: Teufel Stefan , Wolff Lena , König Ulrich , Kobayashi Akio , Behringer Richard , Hartmann Christine
Published: May 2022

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative disease of the joint, with a complex multifactorial not yet fully understood etiology. Over the past years, the Wnt signaling pathway has been implicated in osteoarthritis. In a recent genomewide association study (GWAS), the chromosomal location on chromosome 1, linked to the Wnt3a-Wnt9a gene locus, was identified as the most significant locus associated with a thumb osteoarthritis endophenotype. Previously, it was shown that WNT9a is involved in maintaining synovial cell identity in the elbow joint during embryogenesis. Here, we report that the conditional loss of Wnt9a in the Prx1-Cre expressing limb mesenchyme or Prg4-CreER expressing cells predispositions the mice to develop spontaneous OA-like changes with age. In addition, the trabecular bone volume is altered in these mice. Similarly, mice with a conditional loss of Wnt4 in the limb mesenchyme are also more prone to develop spontaneously OA-like joint alterations with age. These mice display additional alterations in their cortical bone. The combined loss of Wnt9a and Wnt4 increased the likelihood of the mice developing osteoarthritis-like changes and enhanced disease severity in the affected mice. © 2022 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Bisphenol S favors hepatic steatosis development via an upregulation of liver MCT1 expression and an impairment of the mitochondrial respiratory system
Authors: Mornagui Bessem , Rezg Raja , Repond Cendrine , Pellerin Luc
Published: May 2022

Bisphenol S (BPS) is a common substitute of bisphenol A (BPA). Recent data suggest that BPS acts as an obesogenic endocrine disruptor with emerging implications in the physiopathology of metabolic syndrome. However, the effects of BPS on monocarboxylate transporters (acting as carriers for lactate, pyruvate, and ketone bodies) and the mitochondrial respiratory system in the liver remain limited. For this purpose, male Swiss mice were treated with BPS at 100 µg/kg/day for 10 weeks, in drinking water. An increase in body weight and food intake was observed with no increase in locomotor activity. Moreover, data show that BPS increases hepatic MCT1 (a key energetic fuel transporter) mRNA expression accompanied by hepatic steatosis initiation and lipid accumulation, while disrupting mitochondrial function and oxidative stress parameters. Furthermore, BPS produced a significant increase in lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase activities. We can suggest that BPS contributes to hepatic steatosis in mice by upregulating monocarboxylate transporters and affecting the bioenergetic status characterized by an impaired mitochondrial respiratory system. Thus, our data highlight a new mechanism putatively implicated in hepatic steatosis development during BPS‐induced obesity involving lactate metabolism.
Palaeoecological signals for Mesolithic land use in a Central European landscape?
Authors: Heidgen Shaddai , Marinova Elena , Nelle Oliver , Ebner Martin , Rotava Teresa , Tafelmaier Yvonne , Krauß Raiko , Bofinger Jörg , Junginger Annett
Published: May 2022

During the Early Holocene, climate was the major factor causing fires, but whether during the Mesolithic (~11.5–7.4 cal ka BP) people co‐shaped their environment by means of fire remains of debate. Few studies have tackled this question by linking high‐resolution multi‐proxy palaeoecological studies from near Mesolithic occupation sites. An Early Holocene sediment record from the Ammer Valley palaeo‐wetland in south‐west Germany was studied using pollen, micro‐ and macrocharcoal, and plant macroremains. Archaeological evidence from Early and Late Mesolithic sites of Rottenburg‐Siebenlinden allowed us to link this palaeoecological record with Mesolithic land use in the same catchment. Between 11.6 and 10.6 cal kabp,intensive wildfires reinforced the persistence of open and pioneer vegetation. A transition from a river‐dominated landscape towards a wetland with open stagnant waters at 10.6–9.5 cal ka
bpmade the region attractive to hunter‐gatherers, providing various plant resources (incl. hazel). From 10.1 cal ka
bponwards, Mesolithic communities may have shaped their environment by using fire as a tool to expand open areas, which were important for the implementation of their subsistence strategies. After 9.5 cal ka
bp, human control over fires cannot be excluded as Mesolithic occupation phases chronologically coincide with frequent low‐intensity fires and vegetation disturbance.
A Stress Test of Artificial Intelligence: Can Deep Learning Models Trained From Formal Echocardiography Accurately Interpret Point‐of‐Care Ultrasound?
Authors: Crockett David , Kelly Christopher , Brundage James , Jones Jamal , Ockerse Patrick
Published: May 2022

Objectives

To test if a deep learning (DL) model trained on echocardiography images could accurately segment the left ventricle (LV) and predict ejection fraction on apical 4‐chamber images acquired by point‐of‐care ultrasound (POCUS).

Methods

We created a dataset of 333 videos from cardiac POCUS exams acquired in the emergency department. For each video we derived two ground‐truth labels. First, we segmented the LV from one image frame and second, we classified the EF as normal, reduced, or severely reduced. We then classified the media's quality as optimal, adequate, or inadequate. With this dataset we tested the accuracy of automated LV segmentation and EF classification by the best‐in‐class echocardiography trained DL model EchoNet‐Dynamic.

Results

The mean Dice similarity coefficient for LV segmentation was 0.72 (N = 333; 95% CI 0.70–0.74). Cohen's kappa coefficient for agreement between predicted and ground‐truth EF classification was 0.16 (N = 333). The area under the receiver‐operating curve for the diagnosis of heart failure was 0.74 (N = 333). Model performance improved with video quality for the tasks of LV segmentation and diagnosis of heart failure, but was unchanged with EF classification. For all tasks the model was less accurate than the published benchmarks for EchoNet‐Dynamic.

Conclusions

Performance of a DL model trained on formal echocardiography worsened when challenged with images captured during resuscitations. DL models intended for assessing bedside ultrasound should be trained on datasets composed of POCUS images. Such datasets have yet to be made publicly available.
Three‐dimensional DEM simulation of the nonlinear crack closure behaviour of rocks
Authors: Ye Yang , Zeng Yawu , Cheng Shufan , Chen Xi , Sun Hanqing
Published: May 2022

Crack‐closure behaviour of rock materials is well‐known, while the three‐dimensional discrete element method (DEM) simulation of crack‐closure behaviour is still a challenge. Hence, a numerical method was proposed through the combination of notional surface method and flat‐joint model. The pre‐existing microcracks with finite width can be inserted into the three‐dimensional numerical sample through the present method. Since the two physical mechanisms, that is, closure of pre‐existing microcracks and fracture of flat‐joint bonds, are included in the simulations, various evolution trends of crack‐closure stage can be captured through the present method. Due to the high computational efficiency of flat‐joint model, the three‐dimensional DEM simulations of crack‐closure behaviour can be achieved. The results of parametric study show that the crack intensity determines the crack‐closure behaviour and the crack width significantly influences the evolution trend of crack‐closure stage. The simulated unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and tensile strength (TS) significantly decrease with the increase of crack intensity. The crack width significantly influences the deformation parameters, such as elastic modulus, Poisson's ratio and crack closure strain. A calibration procedure was proposed to ease the calibration of mechanical parameters and crack‐closure behaviour. Through the proposed numerical method and calibration procedure, the basic mechanical parameters and crack‐closure behaviour of sandstone were well matched.
Mesh generation of complex three‐dimensional geometries for beam‐particle modeling of fracture
Authors: Rima Aya , Oliver‐Leblond Cécile , Ragueneau Frédéric , Bonhomme Marie‐Hélène , Guillet Thierry , Nahas Georges
Published: May 2022

In this article, we propose a three‐dimensional meshing algorithm for discrete models combining the lattice approach with the polyhedral particle approach. Our aim is to be able to leverage readily available, well‐supported meshers to handle various geometries. We use them to generate a tetrahedral mesh, which our mesher then converts to a polyhedral mesh. The input mesh serves as geometrical support to generate the nodes of the discrete mesh. The desired shape is obtained with an assembly of convex polyhedral particles—without having to clip them. We show that this approach enables meshing convex or concave geometries with sharp edges, curved features, and more. Several three‐dimensional geometries are presented to support this claim and illustrate the capabilities of the mesher. We provide a detailed analysis of its isotropy. The geometric isotropy is studied by analyzing the orientation of the generated beams. The mechanical isotropy is verified by assessing the properties of the elasticity tensor. Finally, we show that the new mesh retains its ability to be a good support for the generation of realistic cracking patterns.
Topology optimization design of multi‐material quasi‐periodic cellular structures for thermoelastic responses
Authors: Li Quhao , Xu Rui , Liu Shutian , Liang Guowei , Qu Yongxin
Published: May 2022

Thermal‐mechanical coupling environments extensively exist for engineering structures. How to effectively reduce thermoelastic deformation is distinctly important. Cellular structures have superior performances in stiffness and multi‐functionality with lightweight, and an excellent design can be expected by reasonably designing the microstructural topology and their distributions. However, existing studies are limited to designing homogenous cellular structures for thermoelastic response problems, although heterogeneous cellular structures have larger design spaces. This article intends to investigate the topology optimization problem for designing a special type of heterogeneous cellular structure, that is, quasi‐periodic cellular structure, for thermoelastic responses. The quasi‐periodic cellular structure is a composition of microstructures with similar but not the same topology across the macro domain, which ensures a good compromise between manufacturability and performance. By introducing the erode‐dilate operators to describe quasi‐periodic cellular structural topology, a simple single‐loop topology optimization model for minimizing the deformation variance of specific lines with multi‐material and multi‐constraint is established. Three types of design variables are included, and their sensitivity analyses are derived for using the gradient‐based optimization solver to obtain updates simultaneously. Designs with shape‐preserving and required stiffness under thermoelastic loadings can be obtained. The examples presented show the capabilities of the proposed procedure and validate the effectiveness of the quasi‐periodic cellular structures in improving structural performance for thermoelastic problems.
River rhythmicity: A conceptual means of understanding and leveraging the relational values of rivers
Authors: Jackson Sue , Anderson Elizabeth P. , Piland Natalia C. , Carriere Solomon , Java Lilia , Jardine Timothy D.
Published: May 2022

River rhythmicity refers to the periodic, recurrent phenomena of a riverscape that are synchronized with the rise and fall of river water, creating regimes of river time. River rhythmicity can serve as a lens into the temporal dimension of river formation and socio‐ecological dynamics that are of great interest to many disciplines.

In this paper, we introduce river rhythmicity as a conceptual and analytical framework to unify riparian human communities, academic disciplines and water agencies in approaching research and management of rivers. We also explore how the disruptions to riverine rhythms that are experienced by river‐dwelling communities, and are often visible in river discharge data through time, reconfigure, hinder or sever relationships between people and rivers.

To ground our discussion in practical, lived experience, we provide brief descriptions of regimes of river time to demonstrate how rhythmic patterns established with rivers in north‐central Canada and Amazonian Colombia shape the lives of two of our co‐authors. By prioritizing holistic accounts of river rhythms, we can elucidate a fuller range of phenomena and their dynamic interactions, revealing riverscape features that are highly valued by local communities yet not often visible to any one discipline.

Rhythmicity provides a conceptual framework to help address several challenges facing river conservation and water allocation dilemmas. By emphasizing relationality, it serves to (a) move beyond a biophysical framing of human‐nature connectedness by demonstrating that dynamic processes and relationships are constitutive of rivers, not derivative of them; (b) enhance understanding of how the temporal dimensions of riverine relationships and river dwelling are experienced; (c) highlight the socio‐cultural consequences of changes to river time and (d) centre socially embedded relationships with rivers forged from generations of observations of care and reciprocity.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Pharmacological and clinical monitoring in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia treated with a biogeneric PEG‐l‐asparaginase product
Authors: Matteo Cristina , Colombini Antonella , Bettini Laura Rachele , Porcu Luca , Barzaghi Silvia , Ceruti Tommaso , Silvestri Daniela , Amoroso Angela , Dell'Acqua Fabiola , Gotti Giacomo , Nastasi Claudia , Zucchetti Massimo , Rizzari Carmelo
Published: May 2022

Background

l‐Asparaginase (ASP) plays a crucial role in the treatment of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Currently, different ASP products are available in the market, including both native and pegylated drugs. Several biogeneric Escherichia coli ASP (GEN‐ASP) products have been developed in response to shortages and expensiveness of the native E. coli ASP innovator compounds, but some concerns have been raised about their quality. Recently, a number of generic pegylated ASP products (GEN‐PEG‐ASP) have been marketed to substitute for the innovator product (PEG‐ASP).

Methods

Clinical courses and serum asparaginase activity (SAA) levels were monitored in 12 children with ALL, who were treated in our institution with two doses of a GEN‐PEG‐ASP product, given IV at 2500 IU/m2 during the remission induction phase. Results were compared with those obtained in a reference cohort of 35 patients treated in our institution, who received the innovator PEG‐ASP product at same dosage and within the same chemotherapy background.

Results

Compared to the reference cohort treated with PEG‐ASP, SAA levels were significantly lower in the 12 patients receiving GEN‐PEG‐ASP (p < .0001); a higher proportion of ASP‐associated hypersensitivity reactions (2/12 vs. 0/35; p = .061) and silent inactivation (3/12 vs. 0/35; p = .014) were observed in comparison with the reference cohort.

Conclusions

Our results highlighted different pharmacological profiles and different rates of hypersensitivity reactions and silent inactivation in the GEN‐PEG‐ASP cohort compared to those treated with the innovator product. Our findings suggest that a rigorous clinical attention and a thorough pharmacological monitoring are advisable in patients treated with GEN‐PEG‐ASP products.
The simultaneous extraction of cellulose fiber and crystal biogenic silica from the same rice husk and evaluation in cellulose‐based composite bioplastic films
Authors: Karaca Arif Enes , Özel Cem , Özarslan Ali Can , Yücel Sevil
Published: May 2022

Bioplastics are environmental‐friendly materials that have been essentially required to reduce global pollution resulting from the accumulation of conventional plastics. The current study was focused on simultaneous extraction of cellulose fiber and crystal biogenic silica from the same rice husks and preparation of silica‐reinforced cellulose‐based composite bioplastic films via casting method to evaluate in packaging applications. Herein, ZnCl2 was utilized as a solvent for the extracted cellulose fiber for the first time. As the silica content increased, barrier properties of bioplastic films increased. The highest tensile strength value in bioplastic films was obtained at 1347 kN/m2 with 2% weight silica content. The biodegradability of bioplastic films in the soil after 21 days varied between 25.5% and 55.7%, which values were significantly higher than conventional plastics. After evaluating these properties, we strongly believe that composite bioplastic films have a high potential to be utilized as green packaging material.
Patterning meets gels: Advances in engineering functional gels at micro/nanoscales for soft devices
Authors: Wang Hongshang , Wang Wenjin , Xie Zhuang
Published: May 2022

The booming development of skin‐like soft devices with electronics, optical and interfacial functions have brought increasing attention on the engineering of functional gel materials with well‐defined patterned features. Such devices can greatly benefit from the excellent capability of ink‐ and light‐based lithographic techniques for miniaturization, high‐density and multiplexed integration, as well as design of microstructure‐based functionalities. In this review, recent advances in patterned gel‐based soft devices are provided, with the focus on how to exploit the capability of micro/nanopatterning in realizing high‐performance gel‐based soft electronic and optical devices. Both the development of new patterning strategies and the performance of the patterned functional gels in device applications are highlighted. Diverse patterned micro/nanoscale gel building blocks are first introduced, then the surface‐microstructured gels and gels with patterned inhomogeneity are discussed, in which their applications in soft devices are summarized, such as physio‐/chemo‐sensors, electroluminescent displays, transistors, shape‐morphing actuators, and optical/microfluidic platforms. In conclusion, perspectives on the future directions of this exciting field are presented.
Screening and identifying cucurbitacins and cucurbitacin glycosides in Cucumis sativus using high‐performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole‐time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry combined with in‐source fragmentation and alkali adduct ions
Authors: Chen Si‐Yuan , Zhou Qing Yi‐Jun , Chen Lin , Li Jia‐Yu , Xie Tao , Zhang Shui‐Han
Published: May 2022

Rationale

Cucumber, as a popular fruit and vegetable, has tremendously contributed to providing a sufficient and high‐quality food supply. However, the cucumber plant metabolites, which may possess potential benefits for human health, were rarely reported. In addition, rapid detection of these metabolites from the complex biological matrix of cucumber samples is a tremendous challenge.

Methods

A rapid detection method was established to systematically screen cucurbitacins and cucurbitacin glycosides in cucumber plants by combining high‐performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole‐time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (HPLC‐Q‐TOF‐MS) with in‐source fragmentation (ISF). Moreover, the alkali cations, including acetic acid, 0.1% LiCl, 0.1% NH4Cl, 0.1% NaCl, and 0.1% KCl, were added to the mobile phase for improving the ion response.

Results

The fragmentation pathways of seven cucurbitacins and cucurbitacin glycosides were primarily investigated. The characteristic ISF ions at m/z 501.3211 and 503.3367 were identified and employed to screen 40 cucurbitacins and cucurbitacin glycosides from the complex biological matrix. Their structures were identified by their tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) spectra and fragmentation pathways of references. Finally, the metabolic distribution and network of cucurbitacins and cucurbitacin glycosides in cucumber plants were also proposed.

Conclusions

This work marks the first systematic and comprehensive study of the metabolites in cucumber plants using HPLC‐Q‐TOF‐MS technology, providing a template for screening and identifying the triterpenoids from other plant‐derived medicines or food.
Method development for determination of polyhalogenated carbazoles in industrial waste through gas chromatography/triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Sun Yuxiang , Yang Lili , Chen Changzhi , Li Cui , Zheng Minghui , Jin Rong , Wang Wenwen , Yang Nan , Li Yinming , Liu Guorui
Published: May 2022

Rationale

Polyhalogenated carbazoles (PHCZs) are dioxin‐like compounds that are ubiquitous in the environment. However, their unintentional emissions from industrial sources have received little attention and there is no method available for determination of PHCZs in industrial waste. This research develops a method for determination of PHCZs in industrial waste.

Methods

In this research, a glass column packed with activated silica serves as a rapid and efficient clean‐up pretreatment for purification. An isotope dilution gas chromatography/triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry method was established for simultaneous determination of eleven PHCZs in industrial samples.

Results

The regression coefficients of the standard curves for the congeners were all >0.99. The method detection limit ranged from 1.46 to 3.82 ng/mL for liquid samples and from 0.009 to 0.021 ng/g for solid samples. The precision described by the relative standard deviation ranged from 2.4% to 18.4% for liquid samples and from 5.5% to 35.8% for solid samples. The recovery ranges for the liquid and solid samples were 82%–123% and 83%–137%, respectively. 3‐Chlorocarbazole (3‐CCZ) and 36‐dichlorocarbazole (36‐CCZ) can be detected in both chemical bottom liquid from vinyl chloride production and fly ash from medical waste incineration by this method.

Conclusions

An efficient method is established for determination of PHCZs from industrial waste. The discovery of 3‐CCZ and 36‐CCZ highlights the importance of identification of potential industrial sources of PHCZs and clarification of their contribution to environmental risks. Our method could be applied to investigate industrial emission of PHCZs.
Evaluation of the green development level of tourism in ecological conservation areas: A case study of Beijing
Authors: Tang Chengcai , Zheng Qianqian , Zhong Quanlin
Published: May 2022

The excessive speed of development for tourism seriously restricts the sustainable development of ecological conservation areas (ECAs). In this study, we take Beijing's ecological conservation area (BECA) as the study area, and construct the model of the green development level of tourism (GDLT) in ECAs to measure and analyze the spatial–temporal evolution and factors influencing of GDLT in BECA. Our results demonstrate that the GDLT in BECA continued to rise from 2011 to 2017, but the spatial distribution was unbalanced. The main factors influencing GDLT in BECA have been the endowment level of green tourism resources and the construction level of the regional ecological civilization. The new method to measure GDLT in ECAs presented here can provide reference for the green development of tourism in ECAs. The findings can construct the theory of the green development of tourism in ECAs, and enrich the theory of tourism geography and tourism ecology from the perspective of the green development concept.
Phytoglycogen Encapsulation of Lanthanide‐Based Nanoparticles as an Optical Imaging Platform with Therapeutic Potential
Authors: Rodrigues Emille M. , Calvert Nicholas D. , Crawford Justin C. , Liu Nan , Shuhendler Adam J. , Hemmer Eva
Published: May 2022

Lanthanide‐based upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) are largely sought‐after for biomedical applications ranging from bioimaging to therapy. A straightforward strategy is proposed here using the naturally sourced polymer phytoglycogen to coencapsulate UCNPs with hydrophobic photosensitizers as an optical imaging platform and light‐induced therapeutic agents. The resulting multifunctional sub‐micrometer‐sized luminescent beads are shown to be cytocompatible as carrier materials, which encourages the assessment of their potential in biomedical applications. The loading of UCNPs of various elemental compositions enables multicolor hyperspectral imaging of the UCNP‐loaded beads, endowing these materials with the potential to serve as luminescent tags for multiplexed imaging or simultaneous detection of different moieties under near‐infrared (NIR) excitation. Coencapsulation of UCNPs and Rose Bengal opens the door for potential application of these microcarriers for collagen crosslinking. Alternatively, coloading UCNPs with Chlorin e6 enables NIR‐light triggered generation of reactive oxygen species. Overall, the developed encapsulation methodology offers a straightforward and noncytotoxic strategy yielding water‐dispersible UCNPs while preserving their bright and color‐tunable upconversion emission that would allow them to fulfill their potential as multifunctional platforms for biomedical applications.
Non‐Ultrawide Bandgap Semiconductor GaSe Nanobelts for Sensitive Deep Ultraviolet Light Photodetector Application
Authors: Wu Chun‐Yan , Wang Ming , Li Jingyue , Le Yuxuan , Fei Wu , Hu Ji‐Gang , Wu Di , Zhou Yu‐Xue , Luo Lin‐Bao
Published: May 2022

In this paper, the authors report the fabrication of a sensitive deep ultraviolet (DUV) photodetector by using an individual GaSe nanobelt with a thickness of 52.1 nm, which presents the highest photoresponse at 265 nm illumination with a responsivity and photoconductive gain of about 663 A W−1 and 3103 at a 3 V bias, respectively, comparable to or even better than other reported devices based on conventional wide bandgap semiconductors. According to the simulation, this photoelectric property is associated with the wavelength‐dependent absorption coefficient of the GaSe crystal, for which incident light with shorter wavelengths will be absorbed near the surface, while light with longer wavelengths will have a larger penetration depth, leading to a blueshift of the absorption edge with decreasing thickness. Further finite element method (FEM) simulation reveals that the relatively thin GaSe nanobelt exhibits an enhanced transversal standing wave pattern compared to its thicker counterpart at a wavelength of 265 nm, leading to an enhanced light–matter interaction and thereby more efficient photocurrent generation. The device can also function as an effective image sensor with acceptable spatial resolution. This work will shed light on the facile fabrication of a high‐performance DUV photodetector from non‐ultrawide bandgap semiconductors.
NIR‐II Emissive Ru(II) Metallacycle Assisting Fluorescence Imaging and Cancer Therapy
Authors: Fan Yifan , Li Chonglu , Bai Suya , Ma Xin , Yang Jingfang , Guan Xiaofang , Sun Yao
Published: May 2022

Despite the success of emissive Ruthenium (Ru) agents in biomedicine, problems such as the visible‐light excitation/emission and single chemo‐ or phototherapy modality still hamper their applications in deep‐tissue imaging and efficient cancer therapy. Herein, an second nearinfrared window (NIR‐II) emissive Ru(II) metallacycle (Ru1000, λem = 1000 nm) via coordination‐driven self‐assembly is reported, which holds remarkable deep‐tissue imaging capability (≈6 mm) and satisfactory chemo‐phototherapeutic performance. In vitro results indicate Ru1000 displays promising cellular uptake, good cancer‐cell selectivity, attractive anti‐metastasis properties, and remarkable anticancer activity against various cancer cells, including cisplatin‐resistant A549 cells (IC50 = 3.4 × 10−6 m vs 92.8 × 10−6 m for cisplatin). The antitumor mechanism could be attributed to Ru1000‐induced lysosomal membrane damage and mitochondrial‐mediated apoptotic cell death. Furthermore, Ru1000 also allows the high‐performance in vivo NIR‐II fluorescence imaging‐guided chemo‐phototherapy against A549 tumors. This work may provide a paradigm for the development of long‐wavelength emissive metallacycle‐based agents for future biomedicine.
Construction of Bio‐inspired Film with Engineered Hydrophobicity to Boost Interfacial Reaction Kinetics of Aqueous Zinc–Ion Batteries
Authors: Gou Qianzhi , Luo Haoran , Zheng Yujie , Zhang Qi , Li Chen , Wang Jiacheng , Odunmbaku Omololu , Zheng Jing , Xue Junmin , Sun Kuan , Li Meng
Published: May 2022

Aqueous zinc–ion batteries typically suffer from sluggish interfacial reaction kinetics and drastic cathode dissolution owing to the desolvation process of hydrated Zn2+and continual adsorption/desorption behavior of water molecules, respectively. To address these obstacles, a bio‐inspired approach, which exploits the moderate metabolic energy of cell systems and the amphiphilic nature of plasma membranes, is employed to construct a bio‐inspired hydrophobic conductive poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) film decorating α‐MnO2cathode. Like plasma membranes, the bio‐inspired film can “selectively” boost Zn2+migration with a lower energy barrier and maintain the integrity of the entire cathode. Electrochemical reaction kinetics analysis and theoretical calculations reveal that the bio‐inspired film can significantly improve the electrical conductivity of the electrode, endow the cathode–electrolyte interface with engineered hydrophobicity, and enhance the desolvation behavior of hydrated Zn2+. This results in an enhanced ion diffusion rate and minimized cathode dissolution, thereby boosting the overall interfacial reaction kinetics and cathode stability. Owing to these intriguing merits, the composite cathode can demonstrate remarkable cycling stability and rate performance in comparison with the pristine MnO2cathode. Based on the bio‐inspired design philosophy, this work can provide a novel insight for future research on promoting the interfacial reaction kinetics and electrode stability for various battery systems.
Electrocatalysis in Room Temperature Sodium‐Sulfur Batteries: Tunable Pathway of Sulfur Speciation
Authors: Wang Mingli , Zhang Hong , Zhang Wenli , Chen Qianwang , Lu Ke
Published: May 2022

Benefiting from the merits of natural abundance, low cost, and ultrahigh theoretical energy density, the room temperature sodium‐sulfur (RT NaS) batteries are regarded as one of the promising candidates for the next‐generation scalable energy storage devices. However, the uncontrollable sulfur speciation pathways severely hinder its practical applications. Recently, various strategies have been employed to tune the conversion pathways of sulfur, such as physical confinement, chemical inhibition, and electrocatalysis. Herein, the recent advances in electrocatalytic effects manipulate sulfur speciation pathways in advanced RT NaS electrochemistry are reviewed, including the promotion of the nearly full conversion of long‐chain polysulfides, short‐chain polysulfides, and small sulfur molecules. The underlying catalytic modulation mechanism that fundamentally tunes the electrochemical pathway of sulfur species is comprehensively summarized along with the design strategies for catalytic active centers. Furthermore, the challenge and potential solutions to realize the quasi‐solid conversion of sulfur are proposed to accelerate the real application of RT NaS batteries.
Incidence of alimentary and respiratory disease in brachycephalic dogs presenting to primary care veterinary practices participating in the SAVSNET project
Authors: Petchell William H. R. , Noble Peter‐John M. , Broome Harriet A. O. , Burrow Rachel
Published: May 2022

Background

Brachycephalic dogs clinically affected by brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome have been shown to have a high incidence of gastrointestinal disease, with French Bulldogs (FBD) identified as a particularly affected breed.

Methods

Clinical records of 750 brachycephalic dogs attending over 500 practices participating in the small animal veterinary surveillance network (SAVSNET) project were analysed in this cohort study to determine the incidence of alimentary and respiratory disease within FBD, Bulldogs (BD) and Pugs attending primary care veterinary practice. Electronic clinical records were studied for treatment or acknowledgement of specific clinical signs that could be attributed to different anatomical locations. Disease of the different anatomical locations was marked as either being present or not present which allowed for statistical analysis.

Results

Significant differences in the incidence of oesophageal (p = 0.006), gastric (p = 0.001) and intestinal (p = 0.001) diseases were present among the breeds studied. FBD had significantly increased odds ratios of having oesophageal (2.0, 2.2), gastric (2.4, 1.5) and intestinal (1.7, 1.5) diseases relative to Pugs and BD, respectively. Pugs had significantly increased odds ratios of having upper respiratory tract disease relative to BD (1.9).

Conclusion

The results show the incidence of gastrointestinal disease and upper respiratory tract disease is significantly different between the brachycephalic breeds studied. Furthermore, the general population of FBD has the highest incidence of gastrointestinal disease.
Unique expression patterns of the embryonal stem cell marker SOX2 and hormone receptors suggest the existence of a subpopulation of epithelial stem/progenitor cells in porcine and bovine endometrium
Authors: Lenz Jiri , Konecna Petra , Tichy Frantisek , Machacova Dominika , Fiala Ludek , Hurnik Pavel , Kyllar Michal
Published: May 2022

Background

There are currently insufficient data on the population of endometrial epithelial stem/progenitor cells in farm animals.

Objectives

With the aim of identifying a potential population of epithelial stem/progenitor cells in the porcine and bovine endometrium, this study immunohistochemically examined the expression patterns of the oestrogen and progesterone receptors, as well as that of the embryonal stem cell marker SOX2.

Methods

A total of 24 endometrial tissue samples obtained from cycling pigs (n = 12) and cows (n = 12) were included in our study. Each endometrium was divided into basal, middle and luminal portions. The percentage of marker‐positive cells and the intensity of the immunoreaction in each portion of the endometrium were determined.

Results

Inverse expression patterns of SOX2 and progesterone receptors were found in both animal species throughout the oestrous cycle. Strong diffuse SOX2 expression was detected in the basal portions of the glands, while a significant decrease in positivity and a weak immunoreaction were found in the luminal two thirds of the glandular epithelium. Strong progesterone receptor expression was observed in at least 90% of glandular cells in the middle and luminal portions, whereas weak staining and significant decrease in positivity were detected in the basal portions of the glands. One oestrogen receptor expression pattern resembled that of progesterone receptors.

Conclusion

The inverse expression patterns of SOX2 and hormone (especially progesterone) receptors suggest that endometrial epithelial stem/progenitor cells represent a subset of cells that reside in the basal portions of the endometrial glands in both the bovine and porcine endometrium.
Effects of riboflavin on boar sperm motility, sperm quality, enzyme activity and antioxidant status during cryopreservation
Authors: Dong Ruilan , Luo Lan , Liu Xiaobin , Yu Guanghui
Published: May 2022

Objectives

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of adding riboflavin to boar sperm freezing extender on the challenge of cryopreservation.

Methods

Different concentrations (0, 5, 10, 15, 20 or 25 μM) of riboflavin were added to the freezing extender. Spermatozoa motility, membrane integrity, acrosomal integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential and enzyme activities were analysed once 10 min after thawing. Q‐PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of Caspase3, Bcl‐2 and Bax.

Results

The results showed that the addition of 10 μM riboflavin to boar sperm freezing extender significantly increased the frozen‐thawed sperm progressive motility compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Activities of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase improved after adding riboflavin to the extender (p < 0.05). During freezing‐thawing, the boar sperm mitochondrial membrane potential, acrosomal integrity, plasma membrane and DNA at 10 μM in the riboflavin group increased by 6.6%, 9.6%, 5.49% and 5.62% (p < 0.05), respectively, compared with the control group. The addition of 10 μM riboflavin to the extender significantly decreased the malondialdehyde (p < 0.05) content, whereas it increased the ATP content (p < 0.05) of boar sperm during freezing‐thawing. Furthermore, the expression of Caspase‐3 and Bax (p < 0.05) were significantly lower, whereas the expression of BCL‐2 (p < 0.05) was greater than the control group when adding 10 μM riboflavin to the extender.

Conclusions

Riboflavin showed cryoprotective capacity to the freezing extender used for boar sperm during the process of freezing‐thawing, and the optimal concentration of riboflavin for the frozen extender was 10 μM.
Successful treatment of carbon monoxide toxicity with high flow nasal oxygen compared to mechanical ventilation
Authors: Gazsi Katrina , Goic Joana Barandier , Butler Amy Lynn
Published: May 2022

Two dogs were presented to the emergency room for suspected carbon monoxide toxicity associated with a furnace malfunction. Both dogs exhibited signs of impaired ambulation, abnormal mentation, and respiratory distress. Arterial co‐oximetry confirmed elevated carboxyhaemoglobin levels (27.6% and 23.6%). Initial treatment consisted of bilateral nasal oxygen administration. Due to progression of clinical signs, dog 1 was mechanically ventilated and dog 2 was administered high flow nasal oxygen (HFNO). After approximately 3 hours of treatment, both dogs had improved carboxyhaemoglobin levels of 4.9% and 5.2%, respectively, and had significant improvement of reported clinical signs. The calculated half‐life of carboxyhaemoglobin in dog 1 with mechanical ventilation was 150 minutes, and in dog 2 was 167 minutes with HFNO. Both dogs survived to discharge and no long‐term complications were reported. This is the first described case using HFNO as a treatment option for carbon monoxide toxicity in dogs.
A novel design of in‐line static mixer for permanganate/bisulfite process: Numerical simulations and pilot‐scale testing
Authors: Lei Han , Guan Xiaohong , Sun Yuankui , Yan Hexiang
Published: May 2022

An increasing number of chemical technologies to wipe out contaminants within an incredibly short period of time have been developed recently, while their application was always hindered by the inefficient or improper mixing of reactants. To address this issue, the present work proposed a new static mixer named Tai‐Chi which consists of blade, fin, and spoiler elements. Tai‐Chi mixer can slice and divert the solutions inside and generate high shear flow to promote mixing process. Numerical simulations helped to determine the optimal operating conditions for Tai‐Chi mixer, including laying its components anterior to the injection nozzles and keeping the velocity rate ratio of main pipe to branch pipe within the range of 0.5 to 1. Numerical simulations further proved that Tai‐Chi mixer could strike a great balance between mixing performance (coefficient of variation [CoV] reaches 0.1 within 5 to 7 pipe diameters downstream) and head loss (nearly a half of other high shear static mixer in the market). Data of pilot‐scale testing by Tai‐Chi mixer confirm that 80% sulfamethoxazole could be eliminated in permanganate/bisulfite process within 8 pipe diameters, as well as showed the superiority of Tai‐Chi's mixing performance in early stage compared with other static mixers in the market.

Practitioner Points

A Tai‐Chi static mixer with blade, fin, and spoiler elements is devised.

The optimal condition of flow rate and installment of Tai‐Chi mixer is determined.

Ultra‐fast mixing is achieved by Tai‐Chi (CoV < 0.1 within 5–7 pipe diameters).

Pilot‐scale test verifies the mixing efficiency of Tai‐Chi mixer.
Full‐scale transition from denitrification to partial denitrification–anammox (PdNA) in deep‐bed filters: Operational strategies for and benefits of PdNA implementation
Authors: Fofana Rahil , Parsons Michael , Long Chenghua , Chandran Kartik , Jones Kimberly , Klaus Stephanie , Trovato Bob , Wilson Chris , De Clippeleir Haydee , Bott Charles
Published: May 2022

This study shows for the first time more than 2 years of operation of a mainstream anammox application at full‐scale under temperate climate. This implementation of partial denitrification–anammox (PdNA) in deep bed filters at the HRSD York River treatment plant was demonstrated to achieve the benefits of shortcut nitrogen removal without nitrite oxidizing bacteria (NOB) out‐selection. The transition from denitrification to PdNA filters required bleeding ammonium to the filters using an optimized ammonium versus NOx (AvN) control in the upstream aeration tanks and maintaining a nitrate residual in the filter effluent through feedforward/feedback control. The latter actions led to savings of 85% in methanol, 100% in alkalinity, and 35% in capacity enhancement. Up to 6 mg NH4+‐N/L with an average of 2.2 ± 0.98 mg NH4+‐N/L was removed through the anammox pathway, which accounted for about 15% of the overall plant nitrogen removal. Anammox enrichment was confirmed by activity testing and molecular analysis. The large excess of AnAOB capacity present in the filters (5–10 times more than normal operation) resulted in stable and reliable operation through winter conditions and showed potential for further intensification.

Practitioner Points

For the first time, long‐term mainstream anammox was established full‐scale through PdNA implementation in deep‐bed filters.

PdNA implementation required upstream aeration control optimization to provide a blend of ammonium and nitrate to the filters.

Efficient anammox enrichment and retention resulted in reliable PdNA performance under different seasonal and influent conditions.

PdNA implementation resulted in significant methanol and alkalinity savings and upstream capacity enhancement as ammonia removal depended less on aerobic nitrification.

In the event of NOB out‐selection and presence of nitrite, carbon savings in PdNA polishing filters can be enhanced via partial nitritation–anammox.
Metal‐mediated decarbonylation of phosphanyl‐phosphaketenes to afford phosphanyl‐phosphinidine complexes
Authors: Feld Joey , Goicoechea Jose M.
Published: May 2022

The synthesis of group 10 metal complexes bearing a phosphanyl‐phosphinidene ligand, [(H2C)2(NDipp)2]P=P (Dipp=2,6‐di‐iso‐propylphenyl), is reported. These compounds can be accessed by the decarbonylation of a phosphanyl‐phosphaketene with metal nucleophiles including M(PtBu3)2 (M=Pt, Pd) and Ni(COD){[C(NMes)(CH)2N]2CH2}.
Correction to: Redrawing Relationalities at the Anthropocene(s): Disrupting and Dismantling the Colonial Logics of Shared Identity Through Thinking with Kim Tallbear
Authors: Dutt Priyanka , Fateyeva Anastasya , Gabereau Michelle , Higgins Marc
Published: May 2022

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Correction to: Machine-Learning-Based Control of Perturbed and Heated Channel Flows
Authors: Rüttgers Mario , Waldmann Moritz , Schröder Wolfgang , Lintermann Andreas
Published: May 2022

Chapter “Machine-Learning-Based Control of Perturbed and Heated Channel Flows” was previously published non-open access. It has now been changed to open access under a CC BY 4.0 license and the copyright holder updated to ‘The Author(s)’.
Method for Evaluating Information Security Level in Organisations
Authors: Seeba Mari , Mäses Sten , Matulevičius Raimundas
Published: May 2022

This paper introduces a method for evaluating information security levels of organisations using a developed framework. The framework is based on Estonian Information Security Standard categories which is compatible with ISO 27001 standard. The framework covers both technical and organisational aspects of information security.

The results provide an overview of security to the organisation’s management, compare different organisations across the region, and support strategic decision-making on a national level.
F-theory on 6D symmetric toroidal orbifolds
Authors: Kohl Finn Bjarne , Larfors Magdalena , Oehlmann Paul-Konstantin
Published: May 2022

Abstract

In this work we study F-theory on symmetric toroidal orbifolds that exhibit roto-translations, which are point group rotations accompanied by fractional lattice shifts. These geometries admit a rich class of effects, such as twisted affine folded fibers, multiple fibers, and up to three distinct torus-fibrations that yield different M/F-theory lifts. We discuss the six-dimensional physics of the F-theory lifts, which generically host superconformal subsectors and a IIB axio-dilaton fixed to strong coupling. In addition we find that these theories exhibit a rich set of p = 0, 1, 2 discrete p-form gauge symmetries. We discuss six-dimensional gauge and supergravity anomalies and match the rank and tensor branch dimension to the Hodge numbers that were computed using heterotic world sheet techniques.
Addendum to: Ultraviolet behaviour of Higgs inflation models
Authors: Antoniadis Ignatios , Guillen Anthony , Tamvakis Kyriakos
Published: May 2022

A correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/JHEP08(2021)018
Parametric tools for Majolica Domes Modelling
Authors: Capone Mara , Lanzara Emanuela
Published: May 2022

This paper presents some results of research aimed at defining a parametric tool for modelling complex decorative apparatuses of domes based on geometric rules definition and building techniques. MaTiDo, Majolica Tiles on Domes, is an adaptive tool that allows a user to place “fish scale” on revolution domes and oval or elliptical ones, on domes with ribs and domes without ribs. MaTiDo can be used to reproduce the look of the real domes and virtually reconstruct domes modified or destroyed. These ideal models are suitable for different uses, for Cultural Heritage dissemination or in HBIM process. The main geometric problem to address is how to evenly distribute on doubly curvature surfaces flat tiles that are all the same size. MaTiDo is being developed for colour automatic distribution on tiles in order to generate different decorative patterns on extrados dome surfaces.