bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Glass‐box molecular dynamics simulation for teaching the van der Waals interaction
Authors: Kraska Thomas
Published: January 2023

Die molekulardynamische Simulation ist eine weit verbreitete Methode, die Einblicke in die submikroskopische Ebene von Vielteilchensystemen erlaubt und die Berechnung makroskopischer und struktureller Eigenschaften ermöglicht. Sie kann auch didaktisch hilfreich zur Vermittlung von Wechselwirkungen und den daraus resultierenden molekularen Prozessen sein. Der Umgang mit der Frage, wie eine solche Simulation abläuft, kann zum Verständnis chemischer Inhalte beitragen. Dieses „Wie“ erfordert eine Auseinandersetzung mit den Simulationsmethoden und den molekularen Modellen auf der Grundlage einsehbarer Programmcodes. Bei solchen Glass‐Box Simulationen ist der Code Teil der Behandlung chemischer Inhalte. Dabei wird informatisches Denken genutzt, um mit Algorithmen molekulare Vorgänge zu erläutern. In diesem Artikel werden die van der Waals‐Wechselwirkung, die Geschwindigkeitsverteilung sowie die Struktur von Fluiden und Feststoffen behandelt. Neben einer Visualisierung der submikroskopischen Prozesse ermöglicht dieser Ansatz auch Erkenntnisse über die Natur von Modellen. Hinzu kommt, dass Programmierfähigkeiten in den Naturwissenschaften von großer Bedeutung sind und auch im schulischen Bereich für die damit verbundenen Möglichkeiten sensibilisiert werden sollte.
A novel prognostic system combining carbonic anhydrase II and preoperative CA19‐9 for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma after curative resection
Authors: Zhang Jiawei , Huang Qiming , Yang Yi , Zhang Jiahui , Fang Xueting , Yang Yubin , Liang Huifang , Wang Wei , Wang Yanjun
Published: January 2023

Background

The role of carbonic anhydrase II (CAII) in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) was investigated and a novel prognostic system combining CAII and preoperative carbohydrate antigen 19‐9 (CA19‐9) was established to predict the survival of patients with ICC after curative resection.

Methods

A total of 110 patients who underwent curative‐intent resection for ICC between 2012 and 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. CAII in tumor and peritumor regions was examined by immunohistochemistry, and the relationships between clinicopathological factors and the prognostic value of CAII and CA19‐9 were analyzed.

Results

CAII was frequently downregulated in ICC tissues (p < .001). Multivariate analyses indicated that showed that both low CAII expression level and preoperative CA19‐9 ≥236 U/ml were independent risk factors for overall survival (OS) and recurrence‐free survival (RFS) in patients with ICC after radical resection. Survival analysis revealed that patients with high CAII and low CA19‐9 were significantly associated with a better OS and RFS (p < .001). The time‐dependent receiver operating characteristic curves showed that CAII + CA19‐9 had better prognostic predictive ability than CAII or CA19‐9 alone. The nomogram constructed on independent factors including T stage, lymph node metastasis, CA19‐9 (continuous variable), and CAII achieved C‐indexes of 0.754 (95% CI, 0.701–0.807) and 0.730 (0.674–0.785) for OS and RFS, respectively. The calibration curve revealed acceptable agreement between actual and predicted OS and RFS.

Conclusions

The combination of CAII and preoperative CA19‐9 is a novel and useful prognostic tool for predicting the survival of patients with ICC after curative resection and guiding clinical decisions.

Plain Language Summary

Carbonic anhydrase II (CAII) was frequently downregulated in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) tissues.

Survival analysis revealed that CAII is a novel independent factor for prognosis in patients with ICC after curative resection. CAII could be a useful prognostic marker for patients with ICC after surgery.

The combination of CAII and preoperative carbohydrate antigen 19‐9 is a novel and useful prognostic tool for predicting the survival of patients with ICC after curative resection and guiding clinical decisions.
The impact of mindfulness on cancer‐related cognitive impairment in breast cancer survivors with cognitive complaints
Authors: Melis Michelle , Schroyen Gwen , Leenaerts Nicolas , Smeets Ann , Sunaert Stefan , Van der Gucht Katleen , Deprez Sabine
Published: January 2023

Background

Interventions that target cancer‐related cognitive impairment (CRCI) to improve the quality of life of cancer survivors are needed. In this study, the potential of a mindfulness‐based intervention to reduce CRCI in breast cancer survivors, compared with physical training and a wait list control group, was investigated.

Methods

Breast cancer survivors with cognitive complaints (N = 117) were randomly allocated to a mindfulness (n = 43), physical training (n = 36), or wait list control condition (n = 38). Participants completed neuropsychological tests and questionnaires before the intervention, immediately after, and 3 months after intervention. The primary outcome measure was the change in cognitive complaints over time. Secondary outcomes were objective cognitive impairment and psychological well‐being. All outcomes were compared between groups over time using linear mixed models, including participants with missing values.

Results

Of the 117 included participants, 96 completed the three assessments. Participants in the three groups reported decreased cognitive complaints after intervention, without group differences. There were no between‐group differences in objective cognitive impairment after intervention compared with baseline. Compared with the wait list control group, participants reported increased mindfulness skills and reduced emotional distress after mindfulness and reduced emotional distress and fatigue after physical training.

Conclusion

Contrary to the hypothesis, all groups reported an improvement in cognitive complaints over time. It is suggested that priming and acknowledgment of CRCI might alter the experience of cognitive impairment. Additionally, both mindfulness‐based intervention and physical training can improve psychological well‐being of breast cancer survivors with cognitive complaints.
Pharmacokinetics and Bioequivalence of the Lubiprostone Capsule in Healthy Chinese Subjects
Authors: Li Yuan , Yu Haitao , Xu Bing , Yuan Fang , Zhang Ping , Tu Shengqing , Zhou Yumeng , Li Xin
Published: January 2023

A pharmacokinetic (PK) study and a bioequivalence (BE) study were conducted to investigate the PK characteristics and safety of lubiprostone in healthy Chinese subjects and to evaluate the BE between the test and the reference drugs. The PK study consisted of a fasting state cohort (a single dose of 24 µg of lubiprostone), a 2‐period crossover fasting and fed state cohort (a single dose of 48 µg of lubiprostone), and a multiple‐dose cohort (24 µg of lubiprostone twice daily). The BE study was a single‐dose, 2‐treatment, 4‐period, replicated crossover study. The plasma concentration of 15‐OH‐lubiprostone (M3) was measured by high‐performance liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry. The PK parameters were calculated using the noncompartment model with Phoenix WinNonlin. After a single dose of 24 ug of lubiprostone, the main PK parameters of M3 were 49.2 pg/mL, 74.0 h/pg/mL, and 1.1 hours for maximum plasma concentration (Cmax), area under the plasma concentration time curve from time 0 to the last time point, and t1/2, respectively. The main PK parameters of M3 showed dose‐proportional characteristics in the dose range of 24–48 µg. Food affects the PK parameters of M3. Compared to the fasting state, time to maximum plasma concentration was delayed, Cmax decreased slightly, while AUC increased significantly under the fed state. The test and reference products had similar PK parameters and were bioequivalent in the fed state.
Proposed spatio‐temporal features for human activity classification using ensemble classification model
Authors: Tyagi Anshuman , Singh Pawan , Dev Harsh
Published: January 2023

Classifying human actions from still images or video sequences is a demanding task owing to issues, like lighting, backdrop clutter, variations in scale, partial occlusion, viewpoint, and appearance. A lot of appliances, together with video systems, human–computer interfaces, and surveillance necessitate a compound action recognition system. Here, the proposed system develops a novel scheme for HAR. Initially, filtering as well as background subtraction is done during preprocessing. Then, the features including local binary pattern (LBP), bag of the virtual word (BOW), and the proposed local spatio‐temporal features are extracted. Then, in the recognition phase, an ensemble classification model is introduced that includes Recurrent Neural networks (RNN 1 and RNN 2) and Multi‐Layer Perceptron (MLP 1 and MLP 2). The features are classified using RNN 1 and RNN 2, and the outputs from RNN 1 and RNN 2 are further classified using MLP 1 and MLP 2, respectively. Finally, the outputs attained from MLP 1 and MLP 2 are averaged and the final classified output is obtained. At last, the superiority of the developed approach is proved on varied measures.
Manipulator trajectory tracking based on adaptive fuzzy sliding mode control
Authors: Zhao Haoyi , Tao Bo , Ma Ruyi , Chen Baojia
Published: January 2023

Sliding mode control is one of the common control methods for manipulators, but the discontinuity of sliding mode control can cause jitter and vibration of the manipulator system. This article takes the Dobot Magician manipulator as the research object and constructs a simplified model of the manipulator dynamics. And the adaptive fuzzy sliding mode control method is designed in combination with fuzzy control theory, which effectively solves the jitter problem of the control torque. In the MATLAB/Simulink simulation environment analysis show that the proposed adaptive fuzzy sliding mode control method solves the jitter problem in sliding mode control with good stability, robustness and tracking performance. By combining the adaptive fuzzy sliding mode control method with the manipulator and comparing the motion time of the same motion trajectory with the PID control method in Dobot Studio, the hardware experiment results effectively verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the designed control method.
Orange Peel Biomass‐derived Carbon Supported Cu Electrocatalysts Active in the CO2‐Reduction to Formic Acid
Authors: Miah Tanvir , Demoro Palmarita , Nduka Izuchika , De Luca Federica , Abate Salvatore , Arrigo Rosa
Published: January 2023

We report a green, wet chemistry approach towards the production of C‐supported Cu electrocatalysts active in the CO2 reduction to formic acid. We use citrus peels as a C support precursor and as a source of reducing agents for the Cu cations. We show that orange peel is a suitable starting material compared to lemon peel for the one‐pot hydrothermal synthesis of Cu nanostructures affording better Cu dispersion as well as productivity and selectivity towards formic acid. We rationalize this finding in terms of the beneficial chemical composition of the orange peel, which favors both the reduction of the Cu precursor as well as the carbon matrix. This work demonstrates new viable opportunities for the reuse of citrus waste on a rational basis.
Antioxidant Activities of Hydroxylated Naphthalenes: The Role of Aryloxyl Radicals
Authors: Lino Valeria , Manini Paola , Galeotti Marco , Salamone Michela , Bietti Massimo , Crescenzi Orlando , Napolitano Alessandra , d'Ischia Marco
Published: January 2023

Herein is delineated a first systematic framework for the definition of structure‐antioxidant property relationships in the dihydroxynaphthalene (DHN) series. The results obtained by a combined experimental and theoretical approach revealed that 1,8‐DHN is the best performing antioxidant platform, with its unique hydrogen‐bonded peri‐hydroxylation pattern contributing to a fast H atom transfer process. Moreover, the comparative analysis of the antioxidant properties of DHNs carried out by performing DPPH and FRAP assays and laser flash photolysis experiments, revealed the higher antioxidant power associated with an α‐substitution pattern (i. e. in 1,8‐ and 1,6‐DHN) with respect to DHNs exhibiting a β‐substitution pattern (i. e. in 2,6‐ and 2,7‐DHN). DFT calculations and isolation and characterization of the main oligomer intermediates formed during the oxidative polymerization of DHNs supported this evidence by providing unprecedented insight into the generation and fate of the intermediate naphthoxyl radicals, which emerged as the main factor governing the antioxidant activity of DHNs.
Norbornadiene/Quadricyclane System in the Spotlight: The Role of Rydberg States and Dynamic Electronic Correlation in a Solar‐Thermal Building Block
Authors: Coppola Federico , Nucci Martina , Marazzi Marco , Rocca Dario , Pastore Mariachiara
Published: January 2023

In this contribution, we studied the photophysics and photochemistry of an archetypal molecular switch in terms of solar energy storage and release. In detail, we characterized the valence and Rydberg states of norbornadiene (NBD) and quadricyclane (QC) by means of CASPT2//CASSCF theory level, finding a good agreement of the calculated vertical excitation energies with the experimental counterparts. The NBD↔QC thermal and photochemical valence isomerization [2π+2π] reactions have been addressed and investigated. Low energy crossing points between excited states were identified for both the NBD↔QC photochemical reactions, through the calculation of minimum energy paths which revealed that the photochemistry is ruled by the deformation of two coupled reaction coordinates. Such coordinates were also used to build potential energy surfaces through relaxed energy scans with the goal of building a simplified, still accurate, model system able to catch the NBD↔QC photorelaxation. Also, the S1/S0 respective conical intersection were characterized and related to the reaction quantum yield. Interestingly, we found that reverse photoisomerization from QC to the NBD progenitor could in principle occur by direct excitation of σ‐3s and σ‐3p Rydberg excited states in the UV spectral range. In both NBD and QC photoreactivity, the doubly excited valence state has shown to play a crucial role for reaching crossing points leading to nonadiabatic population transfers.
Seeding Agents in Metal Halide Perovskite Solar Cells: From Material to Mechanism
Authors: He Jun , Wang Shirong , Li Xianggao , Zhang Fei
Published: January 2023

Metal halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have been showing up in the commercial field, with an inspiring power conversion efficiency (PCE) of over 26 % in the laboratory. The quality of perovskite films is still a bottleneck due to the random and fast crystallization of ionic perovskite materials. Seeding agent‐mediated crystallization has consistently been recognized as an efficient method for preparing bulk single crystals and high‐quality films. Herein, we summarized the seeding mechanism, characterization techniques, and seeding agents working in different locations during PSC device fabrication. This Review could further facilitate researchers with a deeper understanding of seeding agents and enhance more choices for seeding crystallization to improve the performance further and the device's large‐scale fabrication toward commercialization.
In Situ Interfacial Passivation in Aqueous Electrolyte for Mg‐Air Batteries with High Anode Utilization and Specific Capacity
Authors: Song Zhenxin , Wang Jiajun , Song Yue , Chen Zanyu , Zhang Hong , Wu Zhong , Han Xiaopeng , Hu Wenbin
Published: January 2023

Mg‐air batteries are a promising new generation of batteries because they can operate in neutral electrolytes that are safe and nontoxic. However, the high corrosion and low utilization of Mg anodes in Mg‐air batteries result in low specific capacity and severe self‐discharge. In this study, an Mg(OTf)2‐based aqueous electrolyte is developed, which addresses these issues by reducing the contact of the Mg anode with water molecules from the hydrophobic −CF3 groups and forming an MgF2 protective layer. The assembled Mg‐air batteries exhibit specific capacities of up to 1920 mAh g−1Mg (87.32 % utilization based on the Mg anode). In addition, the resting time of the corresponding Mg‐air batteries was 123 times longer than that of Mg‐air batteries with pure NaCl electrolytes under the same conditions.
Progressive Voxel‐Wise Homotopic Connectivity from childhood to adulthood: Age‐related functional asymmetry in resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Tarchi Livio , Damiani Stefano , Vittori Paolo La Torraca , Frick Andreas , Castellini Giovanni , Politi Pierluigi , Fusar‐Poli Paolo , Ricca Valdo
Published: January 2023

Homotopic connectivity during resting state has been proposed as a risk marker for neurologic and psychiatric conditions, but a precise characterization of its trajectory through development is currently lacking. Voxel‐Mirrored Homotopic Connectivity (VMHC) was evaluated in a sample of 85 neurotypical individuals aged 7–18 years. VMHC associations with age, handedness, sex, and motion were explored at the voxel‐wise level. VMHC correlates were also explored within 14 functional networks. Primary and secondary outcomes were repeated in a sample of 107 adults aged 21–50 years. In adults, VMHC was negatively correlated with age only in the posterior insula (false discovery rate p < .05, >30‐voxel clusters), while a distributed effect among the medial axis was observed in minors. Four out of 14 considered networks showed significant negative correlations between VMHC and age in minors (basal ganglia r = –.280, p = .010; anterior salience r = –.245, p = .024; language r = –.222, p = .041; primary visual r = –.257, p = .017), but not adults. In minors, a positive effect of motion on VMHC was observed only in the putamen. Sex did not significantly influence age effects on VMHC. The current study showed a specific decrease in VMHC for minors as a function of age, but not adults, supporting the notion that interhemispheric interactions can shape late neurodevelopment.
Syntheses and Structures of Facial and Meridional Stereoisomers of κ2‐N,S‐Chelated Ruthenium Borate Complexes
Authors: Ahmad Asif , Saha Suvam , Zafar Mohammad , Roisnel Thierry , Ghosh Prasanta , Ghosh Sundargopal
Published: January 2023

The trans‐mer‐[(κ2‐N,S‐NS2C7H4)PR3Ru{κ3‐H,S,S′‐H2B (NS2C7H4)2}], (trans‐mer‐1 a: R=Cy; trans‐mer‐1 b: R=Ph) complexes are kinetically controlled products that upon thermolysis led to the formation of cis‐mer‐[(κ2‐N,S‐NS2C7H4)PR3Ru{κ3‐H,S,S′‐H2B(NS2C7H4)2}], (cis‐mer‐2 a: R=Cy; cis‐mer‐2 b: R=Ph) and cis‐fac‐[(κ2‐N,S‐NS2C7H4)PR3Ru{κ3‐H,S,S′‐H2B(NS2C7H4)2}], (cis‐fac‐3 a: R=Cy; cis‐fac‐3 b: R=Ph) along with complex cis‐[(κ2‐N,S‐NS2C7H4)2Ru(PPh3)2], (cis‐4). One of the main intentions of this study was to examine the flexibility of the borate and hemilabile N,S‐chelating mercapto‐benzothiazole ligands in adapting different spatial arrangements around metal center. Multinuclear spectroscopic analyses have been done to characterize all new complexes and the structures were further confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. Further, Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations were performed to provide an insight into the bonding of the complexes.
Using the inner membrane of Escherichia coli as a scaffold to anchor enzymes for metabolic flux enhancement
Authors: Wang You , Wang Yushu , Wu Yuqi , Suo Yang , Guo Huaqing , Yu Yineng , Yin Ruonan , Xi Rui , Wu Jiajie , Hua Nan , Zhang Yuehan , Zhang Shaobo , Jin Zhenming , He Lin , Ma Gang
Published: January 2023

Clustering enzymes in the same metabolic pathway is a natural strategy to enhance productivity. Synthetic protein, RNA and DNA scaffolds have been designed to artificially cluster multiple enzymes in the cell, which require complex construction processes and possess limited slots for target enzymes. We utilized the Escherichia coli inner cell membrane as a native scaffold to cluster four fatty acid synthases (FAS) and achieved to improve the efficiency of fatty acid synthesis in vivo. The construction strategy is as simple as fusing target enzymes to the N‐terminus or C‐terminus of the membrane anchor protein (Lgt), and the number of anchored enzymes is not restricted. This novel device not only presents a similar efficiency in clustering multiple enzymes to that of other artificial scaffolds but also promotes the product secretion, driving the entire metabolic flux forward and further increasing the gross yield compared with that in a cytoplasmic scaffold system.
Vehicular pollution prediction using HWTO‐ANFIS model in urban areas of Hyderabad City
Authors: Reddy K. Yugandhara , Krishna K. V. S. G. Murali
Published: January 2023

Air pollution has become a life‐threatening factor around the world in recent decades as a result of vehicles, industrialization, human activities, and urbanization. The existing vehicular air pollution prediction studies met several shortcomings in terms of poor prediction accuracy, higher error rates, huge execution time and etc. To tackle these challenges, this study proposed a Hybrid Whale Tabu Optimization‐based Adaptive Neuro‐Fuzzy Inference System (HWTO‐ANFIS) predict the effects of vehicular pollution in urban areas. The major objective of this paper is to minimize the forecasting error and get optimal results during pollution prediction. The average, minimum and maximum noise levels of vehicles are effectively predicted using the proposed HWTO‐ANFIS model. The proposed model efficiency is evaluated using various performance measures such as Normalized Mean Square Error, Mean absolute percent error, Mean Absolute Error, Average Error and Root Mean Square Error respectively. The MATLAB software performs the implementation work. Hyderabad city based vehicular pollution data is taken and analyzed to predict environmental pollution based on vehicles. For the analysis of the dataset, the number of pollutants is considered and the Air Quality Index (AQI) is also determined. The proposed hybrid method is tested and evaluated with the existing methods like Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) and Fuzzy Logic Controllers (FLC). In this study, the proposed HWTO‐ANFIS model is utilized to predict vehicular pollution in the last years such as 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021, respectively. The proposed method's accuracy is 7%–12% greater than that of other conventional techniques. However, the proposed method offers superior detection performances than other state‐of‐art methods.
Inertial and kinematic interactions of bridge‐pile group subjected to liquefaction induced lateral spreading: Large‐scale shaking table experiments
Authors: Jia Kemin , Xu Chengshun , El Naggar M. Hesham , Dou Pengfei , Pan Rujiang , Song Jia
Published: January 2023

This paper investigates the seismic bridge‐pile‐soil system failure mechanisms due to liquefaction‐induced lateral spreading. Two large‐scale shaking table tests were performed on pile groups with and without bridges in sloped liquefiable soils overlain by soil crust. The systems were subjected to a weak earthquake signal (Tabas 0.05 g) and a strong earthquake signal (Tabas 0.3 g). Their responses were recorded in terms of excess pore pressure, acceleration, and displacement time histories. The piles seismic failure mode and mechanism are described based on the obtained results. In addition, the inertial and kinematic interaction effects on the piles’ deflection were evaluated. The results demonstrated that the bridge had no significant effect on the seismic response of the pile‐soil system under weak earthquakes. Meanwhile, the test model without a bridge experienced more significant soil lateral displacement, and the saturated sand exhibited dilatant behavior, and amplified the acceleration peak response during the strong earthquake. Moreover, the liquefaction‐induced lateral spreading moved the vulnerable position of the pile group bridge system from the pier bottom to the pile head, which changed the failure mode of the pile head. The results also revealed that, compared with weak earthquake excitation, the kinematic effect was significantly enhanced, and the inertia effect was weakened during strong earthquakes. Moreover, the pile curvature during both weak and strong earthquakes was inversely proportional to the bridge inertial load.
The Inflation Reduction Act: Impacts on Utilities and Power Producers
Authors: von Loesecke Emily , Chermak Charlie
Published: January 2023

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) was passed by the 117th U.S. Congress on August 16, 2022 and signed into law by President Joe Biden. The wide‐ranging Act invests in domestic energy production and manufacturing, funds energy and climate provisions to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and contains sweeping healthcare reforms, among other new policies. The IRA contains a myriad of benefits across the energy sector for companies and customers alike. This article describes the financial and environmental benefits of the energy and climate provisions of the Act, with a focus on the impacts to electric utilities, natural gas utilities, and independent power producers (IPPs).
TREM2‐dependent microglial function is essential for remyelination and subsequent neuroprotection
Authors: Wang Yuanyuan , Kyauk Roxanne V. , Shen Yun‐An A. , Xie Luke , Reichelt Mike , Lin Han , Jiang Zhiyu , Ngu Hai , Shen Kimberle , Greene Jacob J. , Sheng Morgan , Yuen Tracy J.
Published: January 2023

Disability in multiple sclerosis (MS) is driven in part by the failure of remyelination and progressive neurodegeneration. Microglia, and specifically triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2), a factor highly expressed in microglia, have been shown to play an important role in remyelination. Here, using a focal demyelination model in the brain, we demonstrate that demyelination is persistent in TREM2 knockout mice, lasting more than 6 weeks after lysolecithin injection and resulting in substantial neurodegeneration. We also find that TREM2 knockout mice exhibit an altered glial response following demyelination. TREM2 knockout microglia demonstrate defects in migration and phagocytosis of myelin debris. In addition, human monocyte‐derived macrophages from subjects with a TREM2 mutation prevalent in human disease also show a defect in myelin debris phagocytosis. Together, we highlight the central role of TREM2 signaling in remyelination and neuroprotection. These findings provide insights into how chronic demyelination might lead to axonal damage and could help identify novel neuroprotective therapeutic targets for MS.
Clan loyalty and COVID‐19 diffusion: Evidence from China
Authors: Deng Kebin , Ding Zhong , Liu Xu
Published: January 2023

This paper addresses the substantial role of clan loyalty in promoting COVID‐19 diffusion in China. Using a city–date panel dataset of observations from 183 cities (prefecture‐level and above) in the period of the special long holiday of Chinese New Year in 2020 (January 24–March 1), we find that regions with higher clan loyalty have more COVID‐19 cases than regions with lower clan loyalty. A one standard deviation increase in clan loyalty is associated with an 8.1% increase in COVID‐19 cases. We further document that clan loyalty drives COVID‐19 cases by promoting mass gatherings, exploiting a staggered difference‐in‐differences (DID) regression based on city community‐management policy shocks. Our paper provides novel evidence of one negative public health consequence of clan loyalty, namely, its aggravation of COVID‐19 cases.
Health literacy and fatigue, anxiety, depression, and somatic symptoms in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma from West China: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Huang MengMeng , Wu YunJian , Wen XianXiu , Song WenZhong
Published: January 2023

Background and Aims

Differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) patients are associated with excellent prognosis but impaired health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) by initial and subsequent therapy. Health literacy plays a pivotal role in public health and medical settings, but data on its relationship with DTC patients' HRQOL are insufficient and equivocal. This study was designed to explore the relationship between health literacy and HRQOL in patients with DTC from West China areas.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study with a descriptive correlational design was conducted. 126 patients with DTC were recruited between 2020 and 2021. Levels of health literacy and HRQOL (including fatigue level, anxiety/depression status, and somatoform symptoms) were assessed by questionnaires. Pearson product–moment correlation and Stepwise multiple regression were used to examined the adjusted association of health literacy with HRQOL.

Results

Health literacy and receiving DTC‐related education together explained 16.2% of the variance in fatigue level. Patients who had higher health literacy, received more DTC‐related education were currently employed and less fatigue. Health literacy, fatigue level and DTC‐related education together explained 31.0% of the variance in anxiety and depression of DTC patients. Patients who had higher health literacy, received more DTC‐related education and less fatigue level were less anxious and depressive. Age explained 8.3% of the variance in DTC patients' somatoform symptoms. Older patients complained more somatoform symptoms.

Conclusion

Health literacy was positively associated with HRQOL in DTC patients regarding to fatigue level and anxiety/depression status across the entire sample. Interventions to improve HRQOL should take the patients' health literacy into account.
Retracted: Evaluating the effects of air disinfectants in decontamination of COVID‐19 aerosols
Authors: Dehghani Soheil , SeyedAlinaghi SeyedAhmad , Karimi Amirali , Afroughi Fatemeh , Abshenas Shayan , Azad Kimia , Tantuoyir Marcarious M. , Mohammadi Parsa , Ghavam Seyed Mohammad , Mojdeganlou Hengameh , Dadras Omid , Nazarian Newsha , Vahedi Farzin , Barzegary Alireza , Mehraeen Esmaeil
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Airborne transmission is the most  crucial mode of COVID‐19 transmission. Therefore, disinfecting the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) aerosols float can have important implications in limiting COVID‐19 transmission. Herein, we aimed to review the studies that utilized various disinfectants to decontaminate and inactivate the SARS‐CoV‐2 aerosols.

Methods

This study was a review that studied related articles published between December 1, 2019 and August 23, 2022. We searched the online databases of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane, on August 23, 2021. The studies were downloaded into the EndNote software, duplicates were removed, and then the studies were screened based on the inclusion/exclusion criteria. The screening process involved two steps; first, the studies were screened based on their title and abstract and then their full texts. The included studies were used for the qualitative analysis.

Results

From 664 retrieved records, only 31 met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final qualitative analysis. Various materials like Ozone, H2O2, alcohol, and TiO2 and methods like heating and using Ultraviolet were described in these studies to disinfect places contaminated by COVID‐19. It appeared that the efficacy of these disinfectants varies considerably depending on the situation, time, and ultimately their mode of application.

Conclusion

Following reliable protocols in combination with the proper selection of disinfectant agents for each purpose would serve to achieve desired elimination of the SARS‐CoV‐2 transmission.
Transient thermal investigation of a fully wet porous convective–radiative rough cylindrical pin fin
Authors: Gireesha B. J. , Keerthi M. L. , Eshwarappa K. M.
Published: January 2023

The microelectromechanical systems technologies frequently produce rough surfaces, and the repercussion of roughness on the thermal performance is more prominent in structures of smaller dimensions. In this regard, the present article intends to examine the unsteady thermal behavior of a fully wet, porous, and rough micropin‐fin structure under convective–radiative conditions. Here, a pin fin of a cylindrical profile has been chosen. The problem is modeled by incorporating the roughness parameters in the perimeter and cross‐sectional area of the pin fin. Further, the study of the porous structure has been carried out by implementing the Darcy model. The resulting partial differential equation is nonlinear and of the second order which has been solved by employing the finite difference method. The impact of the roughness parameter, wet porous parameter, dimensionless time, convective parameter, base radius‐to‐length ratio, radiative parameter, thermal conductivity parameter, power index, and ambient temperature on the thermal performance and efficiency of rough micropin‐fin structures has been established graphically. According to the findings, for  rise in roughness, the rough micropin fin has more thermal drop rate and less efficiency than the smooth one. Further, the work is beneficial in the field of microelectronics, especially in the design of micropin‐fin structures.
Political uncertainty and stock market liquidity, size, and transaction cost: The role of institutional quality
Authors: Obenpong Kwabi Frank , Adegbite Emmanuel , Ezeani Ernest , Wonu Chizindu , Mumbi Henry
Published: January 2023

Using panel data of 42 countries from 2001 to 2019, we examine whether political uncertainty (caused by uncertainty about national elections) explains variations in cross‐country liquidity, market size, and transaction cost. We also investigate whether institutional quality moderates the negative effects of political uncertainty on stock market development. We show that political uncertainty reduces stock market size, liquidity, and increases transaction costs. Our results indicate that institutional quality moderates the negative effects of political uncertainty on stock market development. However, we find no effects in emerging markets arising from the high prevalence of weak institutions. We confirm the robustness of our findings using alternative financial development measures and endogeneity. This study enhances our understanding of the salient role of political uncertainty in the development of the stock market, with important implications for market regulators, corporations, and investors.
HPKNN: Hyper‐parameter optimized KNN classifier for classification of poikilocytosis
Authors: Dhar Prasenjit , Kothandapani Suganya Devi , Satti Satish Kumar , Padmanabhan Srinivasan
Published: January 2023

Red blood cells (RBCs) are the more crucial components of a healthy organism. Poikilocytosis is a disorder in which blood cells lose their standard shapes. The human bodies are affected by disorders like anemia and thalassemia because the structure of RBCs shape changes. Hematologists take longer time to detect abnormalities in RBCs. The proposed hyper‐parameter optimizable K nearest neighbor (HPKNN) algorithm detects and classifies numerous types of poikilocytosis quickly and accurately. On the Chula‐PIC‐Lab and Erythrocytes IDB datasets, the proposed HPKNN algorithm was tested. After the preprocessing stage, the Freeman chain code has been utilized to retrieve the exact boundary shape of RBC morphology. On datasets of Erythrocytes IDB 1, 2, 3, and Chula‐PIC‐Lab(Chula‐RBC‐12), the morphological tools and Freeman chain code based segmentation provide 97.44% and 94.45% accuracy, respectively, which is superior than other methods. The proposed HPKNN classifier has an overall sensitivity of 97.9%, precision of 97.9%, and an f1 score of 97.9% on the Chula‐PIC‐Lab (Chula‐RBC‐12) dataset to classify 10 classes, namely acanthocyte, dacrocyte, echinocyte, elliptocyte, normal, overlapped, schistocyte, spherocyte, stomatocyte, and target cell, which is greater than any other current approach. The HPKNN classifier achieves 98.085% precision, 98.085% sensitivity or recall, and 98.085% f1‐score values on the Erythrocytes IDB datasets to classify circular, elongated, and other RBC classes.
Students' technological ambivalence toward online proctoring and the need for responsible use of educational technologies
Authors: Johri Aditya , Hingle Ashish
Published: January 2023

Background

COVID‐19 has led to an unprecedented increase in the use of technology for teaching and learning in higher education institutions (HEIs), including in engineering, computing, and technology programs. Given the urgency of the situation, technologies were often implemented with a short‐term rather than long‐term view.

Purpose

In this study, we investigate students' perceptions of the use of video‐based monitoring (VbM) for proctoring exams to better assess its impact on students. We leverage technological ambivalence as a framing lens to analyze students' experiences and perceptions of using VbM and draw implications for responsible use of educational technology.

Method

Qualitative data were collected from students using focus group interviews and discussion board assignments and analyzed inductively to understand students' experiences.

Findings

We present a framework of how a technological shift of existing practice triggered ambivalence that manifested itself as a sustained negative outlook among students regarding the use of VbM, as well as their institution and instructors. Students accepted the inevitability of the technology but were unconvinced that the benefits of VbM outweighed its risks.

Conclusions

As instructors use educational technologies that are inherently driven by user data and algorithms that are not transparent, it is imperative that they are attentive to the responsible use of technology. To educate future engineers who are ethically and morally responsible, engineering educators and engineering institutions need to exhibit that behavior in their own practices, starting with their use of educational technologies.
Bisphenol S exposure promotes cell apoptosis and mitophagy in murine osteocytes by regulating mtROS signaling
Authors: Shan Weiyan , Niu Wanting , Lin Qiao , Shen Yuchen , Shen Fangmin , Lou Kai , Zhang Yun
Published: January 2023

Bisphenol S (BPS), a safer alternative to bisphenol A, is commonly used as a plasticizer to manufacture various food‐packaging materials. The accumulated BPS inhibits osteoblastic bone formation and promotes osteoclastogenesis, thereby accelerating remarkable bone destruction, but it is unclear whether BPS affects osteocytes, comprising over 95% of all bone cells. This study aimed to investigate the biological effect of BPS on osteocytes in vitro, as well as the detailed mechanism. Results showed that BPS (200, 400 μmol/L) exposure caused dose‐dependently cell death of osteocytes MLO‐Y4, and increased cell apoptosis. BPS induced loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and mitochondria impairment. Furthermore, BPS upregulated expressions of mitophagy‐related proteins including microtubule‐associated protein light chain 3 (LC‐3) II and PTEN‐induced putative kinase (PINK) 1, accompanied by elevation of autophagy flux and the accumulation of acidic vacuoles; whereas p62 level was downregulated after BPS treatment. Additionally, BPS triggered the production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial ROS (mtROS), while it decreased expression levels of nuclear factor E2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2) and quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1). The specific mtROS scavenger MitoTEMPO reversed cell apoptosis and mitophagy, suggesting that mtROS contributes to BPS exposure‐induced apoptosis and mitophagy in MLO‐Y4 cells. Our data first provide novel evidence that apoptosis and mitophagy as cellular mechanisms for the toxic effect of BPS on osteocytes, thereby helping our understanding of the potential role of osteocytes in the adverse effect of BPS and its analogs on bone growth, and supporting strategies targeting bone destruction caused by BPS.
Predicting the Onset of Ischemic Stroke With Fast High‐Resolution 3D MR Spectroscopic Imaging
Authors: Lin Zengping , Meng Ziyu , Wang Tianyao , Guo Rong , Zhao Yibo , Li Yudu , Bo Bin , Guan Yue , Liu Jun , Zhou Hong , Yu Xin , Lin David J. , Liang Zhi‐Pei , Nachev Parashkev , Li Yao
Published: January 2023

Background

Neurometabolite concentrations provide a direct index of infarction progression in stroke. However, their relationship with stroke onset time remains unclear.

Purpose

To assess the temporal dynamics of N‐acetylaspartate (NAA), creatine, choline, and lactate and estimate their value in predicting early (<6 hours) vs. late (6–24 hours) hyperacute stroke groups.

Study Type

Cross‐sectional cohort.

Population

A total of 73 ischemic stroke patients scanned at 1.8–302.5 hours after symptom onset, including 25 patients with follow‐up scans.

Field Strength/Sequence

A 3 T/magnetization‐prepared rapid acquisition gradient echo sequence for anatomical imaging, diffusion‐weighted imaging and fluid‐attenuated inversion recovery imaging for lesion delineation, and 3D MR spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) for neurometabolic mapping.

Assessment

Patients were divided into hyperacute (0–24 hours), acute (24 hours to 1 week), and subacute (1–2 weeks) groups, and into early (<6 hours) and late (6–24 hours) hyperacute groups. Bayesian logistic regression was used to compare classification performance between early and late hyperacute groups by using different combinations of neurometabolites as inputs.

Statistical Tests

Linear mixed effects modeling was applied for group‐wise comparisons between NAA, creatine, choline, and lactate. Pearson's correlation analysis was used for neurometabolites vs. time. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Lesional NAA and creatine were significantly lower in subacute than in acute stroke. The main effects of time were shown on NAA (F = 14.321) and creatine (F = 12.261). NAA was significantly lower in late than early hyperacute patients, and was inversely related to time from symptom onset across both groups (r = −0.440). The decrease of NAA and increase of lactate were correlated with lesion volume (NAA: r = −0.472; lactate: r = 0.366) in hyperacute stroke. Discrimination was improved by combining NAA, creatine, and choline signals (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.90).

Data Conclusion

High‐resolution 3D MRSI effectively assessed the neurometabolite changes and discriminated early and late hyperacute stroke lesions.

Evidence Level

1.

Technical Efficacy

Stage 2.
Inhibiting cardiac autophagy suppresses Zika virus replication
Authors: Ma Xin , Jia Yinnong , Yuan Jing , Tang Qiu‐Ju , Gao Wen‐Cong , Zhou Guang‐Feng , Yang Ren‐Hua , Pang Wei , Zheng Chang‐Bo
Published: January 2023

Zika Virus (ZIKV) infection is a global threat. Other than the congenital neurological disorders it causes, ZIKV infection has been reported to induce cardiac complications. However, the precise treatment plans are unclear. Thus, illustrating the pathogenic mechanism of ZIKV in the heart is critical to providing effective prevention and treatment of ZIKV infection. The mechanism of autophagy has been reported recently in Dengue virus infection. Whether or not autophagy participates in ZIKV infection and its role remains unrevealed. This study successfully established the in vitro cardiomyocytes and in vivo mouse models of ZIKV infection to investigate the involvement of autophagy in ZIKV infection. The results showed that ZIKV infection is both time and gradient‐dependent. The key autophagy protein, LC3B, increased remarkably after ZIKV infection. Meanwhile, autophagic flux was detected by immunofluorescence. Applying autophagy inhibitors decreased the LC3B levels. Furthermore, the number of viral copies was quantified to evaluate the influence of autophagy during infection. We found that autophagy was actively involved in the ZIKV infection and the inhibition of autophagy could effectively reduce the viral copies, suggesting a potential intervention strategy for reducing ZIKV infection and the undesired complications caused by ZIKV.
Needle‐free injection system delivery of ZyCoV‐D DNA vaccine demonstrated improved immunogenicity and protective efficacy in rhesus macaques against SARS‐CoV‐2
Authors: Yadav Pragya D. , Kumar Sanjay , Agarwal Kshitij , Jain Mukul , Patil Dilip R. , Maithal Kapil , Mathapati Basavaraj , Giri Suresh , Mohandas Sreelekshmy , Shete Anita , Sapkal Gajanan , Patil Deepak Y. , Dey Ayan , Chandra Harish , Deshpande Gururaj , Gupta Nivedita , Abraham Priya , Kaushal Himanshu , Sahay Rima R. , Tripathy Anuradha , Nyayanit Dimpal , Jain Rajlaxmi , Kumar Abhimanyu , Sarkale Prasad , Baradkar Shreekant , Rajanathan Chozhavel , Raju Hari Prasad , Patel Satish , Shah Niraj , Dwivedi Pankaj , Singh Dharmendra
Published: January 2023

The apprehension of needles related to injection site pain, risk of transmitting bloodborne pathogens, and effective mass immunization have led to the development of a needle‐free injection system (NFIS). Here, we evaluated the efficacy of the NFIS and needle injection system (NIS) for the delivery and immunogenicity of DNA vaccine candidate ZyCoV‐D in rhesus macaques against SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. Briefly, 20 rhesus macaques were divided into 5 groups (4 animals each), that is, I (1 mg dose by NIS), II (2 mg dose by NIS), III (1 mg dose by NFIS), IV (2 mg dose by NFIS) and V (phosphate‐buffer saline [PBS]). The macaques were immunized with the vaccine candidates/PBS intradermally on Days 0, 28, and 56. Subsequently, the animals were challenged with live SARS‐CoV‐2 after 15 weeks of the first immunization. Blood, nasal swab, throat swab, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid specimens were collected on 0, 1, 3, 5, and 7 days post infection from each animal to determine immune response and viral clearance. Among all the five groups, 2 mg dose by NFIS elicited significant titers of IgG and neutralizing antibody after immunization with enhancement in their titers postvirus challenge. Besides this, it also induced increased lymphocyte proliferation and cytokine response. The minimal viral load post‐SARS‐CoV‐2 challenge and significant immune response in the immunized animals demonstrated the efficiency of NFIS in delivering 2 mg ZyCoV‐D vaccine candidate.
Complete genome analyses of G12P[8] rotavirus strains from hospitalized children in Surabaya, Indonesia, 2017–2018
Authors: Yamani Laura Navika , Utsumi Takako , Doan Yen Hai , Fujii Yoshiki , Dinana Zayyin , Wahyuni Rury Mega , Gunawan Emily , Soegijanto Soegeng , Athiyyah Alpha Fardah , Sudarmo Subijanto Marto , Ranuh Reza Gunadi , Darma Andy , Soetjipto  , Juniastuti  , Bawono Rheza Gandi , Matsui Chieko , Deng Lin , Abe Takayuki , Shimizu Hiroyuki , Ishii Koji , Katayama Kazuhiko , Lusida Maria Inge , Shoji Ikuo
Published: January 2023

Rotavirus A (RVA) is a major viral cause of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) worldwide. G12 RVA strains have emerged globally since 2007. There has been no report of the whole genome sequences of G12 RVAs in Indonesia. We performed the complete genome analysis by the next‐generation sequencing of five G12 strains from hospitalized children with AGE in Surabaya from 2017 to 2018. All five G12 strains were Wa‐like strains (G12‐P[8]‐I1‐R1‐C1‐M1‐A1‐N1‐T1‐E1‐H1) and were clustered into lineage‐III of VP7 gene phylogenetic tree. STM430 sample was observed as a mixed‐infection between G12 and G1 strains: G12/G1‐P[8]‐I1‐R1‐C1‐M1‐A1‐N1‐T1‐E1‐H1. A phylogenetic tree analysis revealed that all five Indonesian G12 strains (SOEP379, STM371, STM413, STM430, and STM433) were genetically close to each other in all 11 genome segments with 98.0%–100% nucleotide identities, except VP3 and NSP4 of STM430, suggesting that these strains have originated from a similar ancestral G12 RVA. The VP3 and NSP4 genome segments of STM430‐G12P[8] were separated phylogenetically from those of the other four G12 strains, probably due to intra‐genotype reassortment between the G12 and G1 Wa‐like strains. The change from G12P[6] lineage‐II in 2007 to G12P[8] lineage‐III 2017–2018 suggests the evolution and diversity of G12 RVAs in Indonesia over the past approximately 10 years.