bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Review of Best Practices for an Environmental Laboratory
Authors: Adams Hunter , Holloway Nicole , English Zonetta , Fleming Jaime , Wagner Mary Carol , Keesling Raelene F. , Lipps William C. , Hertz Charles D. , Consolvo John , Burlingame Gary A.
Published: November 2022

Key Takeaways

Utilities with environmental laboratories can monitor water and wastewater treatment plant processes and water quality from source, through distribution, and to the consumer's tap.

“Best laboratory practices” are criteria intended to ensure that environmental laboratories produce reliable and defensible water quality data that comply with regulatory requirements.

Accreditation and robust quality control and quality assurance, ethics, safety, and other laboratory program criteria support data integrity and protection of public health.
Serial enrichment of heteroduplex DNA using a MutS‐magnetic bead system
Authors: Murphy Zachary R. , Shields Danielle A. , Evrony Gilad D.
Published: November 2022

Numerous applications in molecular biology and genomics require characterization of mutant DNA molecules present at low levels within a larger sample of non‐mutant DNA. This is often achieved either by selectively amplifying mutant DNA, or by sequencing all the DNA followed by computational identification of the mutant DNA. However, selective amplification is challenging for insertions and deletions (indels). Additionally, sequencing all the DNA in a sample may not be cost effective when only the presence of a mutation needs to be ascertained rather than its allelic fraction. The MutS protein evolved to detect DNA heteroduplexes in which the two DNA strands are mismatched. Prior methods have utilized MutS to enrich mutant DNA by hybridizing mutant to non‐mutant DNA to create heteroduplexes. However, the purity of heteroduplex DNA these methods achieve is limited because they can only feasibly perform one or two enrichment cycles. We developed a MutS‐magnetic bead system that enables rapid serial enrichment cycles. With six cycles, we achieve complete purification of heteroduplex indel DNA originally present at a 5% fraction and over 40‐fold enrichment of heteroduplex DNA originally present at a 1% fraction. This system may enable novel approaches for enriching mutant DNA for targeted sequencing.
Terpenoids and Phenylpropanoids Isolated from the Twigs and Leaves of Abelia macrotera and Their Anti‐Inflammatory Activities
Authors: Xu Yang , Xie Huiru , Chen Hongbo , Xiong Liangliang , Sa Kuiru , Wang Xuanbin , Li Hua , Chen Lixia
Published: November 2022

A new triterpenoid, 3β‐hydroxyurs‐12‐en‐28,20β‐olide (1), as well as thirteen known terpenoids (2–14) and three known phenylpropanoids (15–17), were isolated from the twigs and leaves of Abelia macrotera. Compounds 2, 5–17 were isolated for the first time from the Abelia genus. The structure of compound 1 was determined using the characteristic spectral data (HR‐ESI‐MS, UV, 1D and 2D‐NMR, and X‐ray single‐crystal diffraction. Furthermore, the inhibitory effects of all compounds on NO production in LPS‐induced RAW 264.7 cells were tested, and compound 15 showed obvious inhibitory effect, with IC50 values of 23.77±1.61 μM. Through target screening and molecular docking technology, it can be speculated that compound 15 may play an anti‐inflammatory role by combining with Cathepsin G & Chymase and HPG D.
Euler multiphase‐CFD simulation on a bubble‐driven gas–liquid–solid fluidized bed
Authors: Liu Yingjie , Guo Shibao , Zhu Jingxu
Published: November 2022

An integrated flow model was developed to simulate the fluidization hydrodynamics in a new bubble‐driven gas–liquid–solid fluidized bed using the computational fluid dynamic (CFD) method. The results showed that axial solids holdup is affected by grid size, bubble diameter, and the interphase drag models used in the simulation. Good agreements with experimental data could be obtained by adopting the following parameters: 5 mm grid, 1.2 mm bubble diameter, the Tomiyama gas–liquid model, the Schiller–Naumann liquid–solid model, and the Gidaspow gas–solid model. At full fluidization state, an internal circulation of particles flowing upward near the wall and downward in the centre is observed, which is in the opposite direction compared with the traditional core‐annular flow structure in a gas–solid fluidized bed. The simulated results are very sensitive to bubble diameters. Using smaller bubble diameters would lead to excessive liquid bed expansions and more solid accumulated at the bottom due to a bigger gas–liquid drag force, while bigger bubble diameters would result in a higher solid bed height caused by a smaller gas–solid drag force. Considering the actual bubble distribution, population balance model (PBM) is employed to characterize the coalescence and break up of bubbles. The calculated bubble diameters grow up from 2–4 mm at the bottom to 5–10 mm at the upper section of the bed, which are comparable to those observed in experiments. The simulation results could provide valuable information for the design and optimization of this new type of fluidized system.
Selective liquid‐phase oxidation of toluene with molecular oxygen catalyzed by Mn‐TiO2 under solvent‐free conditions
Authors: Zhou Xingfa , Deng Renjie , Zhang Yingdi , Wang Xulong , Zeng Fangruo , Tian Yao , Liu Huajie
Published: November 2022

In this paper, we reported the preparation, characterization, and catalytic performance of TiO2 doped with Mn for the selective oxidation of toluene to benzyl alcohol and benzaldehyde without any solvent. The structure of the catalyst was determined by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), nitrogen adsorption–desorption analysis (Brunauer–Emmet–Teller [BET]), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), and mapping. The results demonstrated that the catalytic properties of Mn‐TiO2 were higher than those of pure Mn3O4 and TiO2. The effects of reaction temperature, reaction time, oxygen pressure, and the amount of catalyst were studied. Under the optimal conditions, Mn‐TiO2 could afford 6.4% toluene conversion at a combined benzyl alcohol/benzaldehyde selectivity of 58.6%. Moreover, the catalyst can be repeated in the experiment for five times without significant loss of activity.
Transplantation for myeloid neoplasms with antecedent solid tumor
Authors: Portuguese Andrew Jay , Albittar Aya , Gooley Ted H. , Deeg Hans Joachim
Published: November 2022

Background

Definitive treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), and myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) involves allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo‐HSCT), either with myeloablative (MAC) or reduced‐intensity conditioning (RIC). These diseases may arise in patients with a prior solid tumor. The impact of antecedent solid tumor on transplantation decision‐making and outcomes is not well defined.

Methods

The authors performed a retrospective cohort study to address this question. A total of 1193 patients who underwent allo‐HSCT for AML, MDS, or MPN between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2018 were included, 102 of whom had a history of prior solid tumor.

Results

Patients with prior solid tumor were older (median age, 62.5 vs. 54.9 years; p < .00001) and more frequently were conditioned with RIC (52.5% vs. 27.2%; p < .00001). A higher incidence of acute graft‐versus‐host disease was observed in patients with prior solid tumor (73.5% vs 66.4%; adjusted odds ratio, 1.65; 95% confidence interval, 1.03–2.65; p = .037), yet overall survival and relapse did not significantly differ. Cytogenetic risk was the dominant risk factor for survival.

Conclusions

Analysis by the authors suggests that patients with antecedent solid tumor and respective therapy can be transplanted successfully. Although selection bias is likely to be a factor, the results are encouraging for patients who come to transplantation after surviving a prior cancer.
Time to cancer treatment and reproductive outcomes after fertility preservation among adolescent and young adult women with cancer
Authors: Meernik Clare , Engel Stephanie M. , Baggett Christopher D. , Wardell Ally , Zhou Xi , Ruddy Kathryn J. , Wantman Ethan , Baker Valerie L. , Luke Barbara , Mersereau Jennifer E. , Cai Jianwen , Olshan Andrew F. , Smitherman Andrew B. , Nichols Hazel B.
Published: November 2022

Background

Fertility preservation (FP) may be underused after cancer diagnosis because of uncertainty around delays to cancer treatment and subsequent reproductive success.

Methods

Women aged 15 to 39 years diagnosed with cancer between 2004 and 2015 were identified from the North Carolina Central Cancer Registry. Use of assisted reproductive technology (ART) after cancer diagnosis between 2004 and 2018 (including FP) was assessed through linkage to the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology. Linear regression was used to examine time to cancer treatment among women who did (n = 95) or did not (n = 469) use FP. Modified Poisson regression was used to estimate risk ratios (RRs) and 95% CIs for pregnancy and birth based on timing of ART initiation relative to cancer treatment (n = 18 initiated before treatment for FP vs n = 26 initiated after treatment without FP).

Results

The median time to cancer treatment was 9 to 33 days longer among women who used FP compared with women who did not, matched on clinical factors. Women who initiated ART before cancer treatment may be more likely to have a live birth given pregnancy compared with women who initiated ART after cancer treatment (age‐adjusted RR, 1.47; 95% CI, 0.98‐2.23), though this may be affected by the more frequent use of gestational carriers in the former group (47% vs 20% of transfer cycles, respectively).

Conclusions

FP delayed gonadotoxic cancer treatment by up to 4.5 weeks, a delay that would not be expected to alter prognosis for many women. Further study of the use of gestational carriers in cancer populations is warranted to better understand its effect on reproductive outcomes.
Effect of Food on the Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of a Single Oral Dose of SHR4640, a Selective Urate Transporter 1 Inhibitor, in Healthy Chinese Male Volunteers
Authors: Liang Beibei , Wang Jin , Bai Nan , Zhuo Jiaju , Wang Rui , Lin Hongda , Cai Yun
Published: November 2022

SHR4640, also named as ruzinurad, is a selective human urate transporter 1 (URAT1) inhibitor developed for the treatment of hyperuricemia and gout. This study evaluated the high‐fat, high‐calorie food effect on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of SHR4640 in healthy Chinese male volunteers. In this open‐label, randomized, 2‐period crossover phase 1 trial, 14 healthy male subjects were randomized to receive a single 10‐mg dose of SHR4640 under both fasted and fed conditions. The washout period was 7 days. Blood samples were collected for pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic analysis. Pharmacokinetic parameters were analyzed by a noncompartmental method. The safety of the drug was also evaluated in the trial. A total of 14 healthy male volunteers were enrolled in the study, and finally 13 healthy volunteers completed the study. A single 10‐mg dose of SHR4640 was safe and well tolerated in healthy Chinese male volunteers. After single‐dose administration of SHR4640, the 90%CIs of the geometric mean ratios of the area under the plasma concentration–time curve from time 0 to the last quantifiable concentration and the area under the plasma concentration–time curve from time 0 to infinity were within the equivalence criteria of 0.80‐1.25. The 90%CIs of maximum plasma concentration was slightly outside the lower limit of bioequivalent criteria, with about 13.40% decrease in the fed versus fasted condition. The time to maximum concentration was slightly delayed under the fasted condition. A single 10‐mg dose of SHR4640 was safe and well tolerated in this trial. The main pharmacokinetic parameters and serum uric acid lowering of SHR4640 were not affected by food effect; thus, SHR4640 can be recommended to be administered with or without food
Improving the delivery ratio in vehicular delay‐tolerant network using customized binary particle swarm optimization‐based optimized throwbox deployment
Authors: Chourasia Vishakha , Pandey Sudhakar , Chaurasiya Rahul , Kumar Sanjay
Published: November 2022

Vehicular delay tolerant networks (VDTNs) suffer due to insufficient connection opportunities in sparse infrastructure. The sparsity of the network results in poor delivery ratio (DR). Deployment of additional small nodes named throwbox increases the contact opportunities, resulting in improved performance in terms of DR. However, randomly deployed throwboxes do not provide optimum results. Therefore, this article proposes the throwbox deployment as an optimization problem. Customized binary particle swarm optimization‐based optimization method is employed to solve the problem. With the objective of maximizing the DR, the method optimize the placement of‐throwboxes in the network. The performance of the proposed methods is tested and compared by simulating a VDTN model in opportunistic network environment simulator. The optimization framework was implemented in Matlab. Exhaustive experiments were carried out by varying the number of throwboxes (). A statistical comparison of the results with the existing throwbox deployment methods validates the effectiveness of the proposed optimization‐based approach. The article also presents an analysis for choice of value of for a desired network performance.
Participants’ Perspectives on Payment for Research Participation: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Largent Emily A. , Eriksen Whitney , Barg Frances K. , Greysen S. Ryan , Halpern Scott D.
Published: November 2022

Investigators commonly offer payments to research participants to promote recruitment and retention. Yet the ethics of offering monetary incentives to research participants continues to be debated. Prior conceptual work has addressed some of these concerns; there is, however, also a need for empirical evidence to understand the effects of payment on participants. Here, we report the results of a qualitative study comprising (1) discourse analysis of recruitment conversations between study coordinators and potential participants for an actual clinical trial and (2) semistructured interviews with participants addressing the effects of an incentive on their decision‐making. Many participants reported that money had been a motivation for enrolling in the clinical trial but did not use reasoning that suggested undue influence or unjust inducement. These findings add to a growing body of literature suggesting that payment is an ethically acceptable tool for promoting recruitment and retention in clinical trials.
Challenges and Possible Solutions to Adapting to Virtual Recruitment: Lessons Learned from a Survey Study during the Covid‐19 Pandemic
Authors: Cooksey Krista E. , Mozersky Jessica , DuBois James , Kuroki Lindsay , Marx Christine M. , Politi Mary C.
Published: November 2022

The Covid‐19 pandemic required rapid changes to research protocols, including immediate transitions to recruiting research participants and conducting the informed consent process virtually. This case study details the challenges our research team faced adapting an in‐person, behavioral‐intervention and survey study to virtual recruitment. We reflect on the impact of these rapid changes on recruitment and retention, discuss protocol changes we made to address these challenges and the needs of potential and enrolled participants, and propose recommendations for future work. Using computer technology to display professional return phone numbers, being flexible by contacting potential participants through various means, minimizing email communication due to added regulatory requirements, and partnering with the institutional review board to shorten and improve the consent document and process were critical to study success. This case study can offer insight to other researchers as they navigate similar processes. Virtual recruitment is likely to continue; it is important to ensure that it facilitates, rather than hinders, equitable and just recruitment practices.
Effects of different protease treatment on protein degradation and flavor components of Lentinus edodes
Authors: Fang Xiangjun , Chen Ziqi , Wu Weijie , Chen Hangjun , Nie Shaoping , Gao Haiyan
Published: November 2022

Shiitake mushrooms (Lentinus edodes) form a great source of protein; however, the effect of enzymatic hydrolysis to improve its flavor has not yet been investigated. To explore the effects of different protease treatments on protein degradation and flavor compounds of shiitake mushrooms, papain, neutral protease, and flavourzyme were selected for the hydrolysis of shiitake mushrooms. Proteolysis index, Trichloroacetic acid‐nitrogen soluble index, and protein content were estimated to evaluate protein degradation. Flavor amino acids and volatile components of the hydrolysate were also analyzed. Results showed flavourzyme has an advantage over the others in promoting protein degradation and improving flavor. Compared to single‐enzyme treatment, a combination treatment with three enzymes, at 1:1:1 ratio, was found to perform greater protein hydrolysis. After protease‐mediated hydrolysis, the variety and content of flavor substances (free amino acids and eight‐carbon compounds) in L. edodes increased. We concluded that protease treatment is an effective method for improving the quality and flavor of L. edodes.
Systemic immune‐inflammation index as a prognostic marker for advanced chronic heart failure with renal dysfunction
Authors: Wang Zeyu , Qin Zhen , Yuan Ruixia , Guo Jiacheng , Xu Shuai , Lv Yan , Xu Yanyan , Lu Yongzheng , Gao Jiamin , Yu Fengyi , Tang Laiyi , Zhang Li , Bai Jing , Cui Xiaolin , Zhang Jinying , Tang Junnan
Published: November 2022

Aims

We aim to investigate the correlation between high levels of the systemic immune‐inflammation index (SII) and long‐term mortality and major cardiovascular adverse events in advanced chronic heart failure patients with renal dysfunction.

Methods and results

Seven hundred seventeen advanced chronic heart failure patients with renal dysfunction, who visited the First affiliated hospital of Zhengzhou University from September 2019 to December 2020, were included. All‐cause mortalities (ACM) were selected as primary endpoints and major cardiovascular adverse events (MACEs) as the secondary endpoints. Based on the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the Youden index, the optimal cut‐off values of SII for ACM and MACEs were 1228 and 1406. In the group where ACM were the primary endpoint, patients were categorized into the low‐SII group (n = 479) and the high‐SII group (n = 238). Patients in the group using MACEs as the secondary endpoint were also categorized into the low‐SII groups (n = 514) and the high‐SII groups (n = 203). Univariate and multivariate COX regression were used to screen the independent predictors for ACM and MACEs, revealing the relationship between SII levels and endpoints. According to the univariate COX analysis, SII was the risk factor (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.144, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.565–2.938, P < 0.001) for the ACM subgroup. It was also the risk factor (HR = 1.625, CI: 1.261–2.905, P < 0.001) for the MACEs subgroup. Multivariate COX regression analysis indicated that the occurrence of ACM and MACEs in high‐level SII and low‐level SII patients had statistical differences. The incidence of ACM increased by 70.3% (HR = 1.703; 95% CI: 1.200–2.337; P = 0.002) in patients of the high SII level group, the incidence of MACEs increased by 58.3% (HR = 1.583, 95% CI: 1.213–2.065, P = 0.001). Kaplan–Meier (K‐M) survival analysis further suggested that patients with a high SII level had an increased risk of having ACM (log‐rank P < 0.001) and MACEs (log‐rank P < 0.001) within 30 months. SII could be considered as a novel predictor of the occurrence of ACM and MACEs for patients with advanced chronic heart failure and renal dysfunction.

Conclusions

This study suggested that SII is a novel independent predictor of mortality in advanced chronic heart failure patients with renal dysfunction, and it should be considered in current clinical management.
Acylation‐stimulating protein and heart failure progression in arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy
Authors: Ren Jie , Chen Liang , Chen Xiao , Zhang Ningning , Sun Xiaogang , Song Jiangping
Published: November 2022

Aims

Our previous studies suggested that the complement system was critical in the prognosis of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC). The acylation‐stimulating protein (ASP), generated through the alternate complement pathway, was reported to regulate lipogenesis and triglyceride storage. This study aimed to investigate the role of ASP in predicting adverse cardiac events in an ARVC cohort.

Methods and results

We enrolled 111 ARVC patients and 106 healthy volunteers, and measured their plasma ASP levels using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays. Plasma ASP levels were significantly higher in the ARVC patients than in the healthy controls (2325.22 ± 20.08 vs. 2189.75 ± 15.55, P < 0.001), with a similar trend observed in the myocardial explant assay. Spearman correlation analysis indicated plasma ASP level associated with cardiac structural (right ventricular internal dimension, P = 0.006) and functional remodelling (left ventricular ejection fraction, P = 0.002) in ARVC patients. The ARVC patients were followed up for an average of 17.79 ± 1.09 months. Heart failure‐associated events (HFAEs) were defined as heart transplantation, on a cardiac transplant list, or death due to end‐stage heart failure. Plasma ASP levels in patients with HFAEs were significantly higher than in those without clinical events (2486.03 ± 26.70 vs. 2268.83 ± 23.51, P < 0.001) or those with malignant arrhythmic events (2486.03 ± 26.70 vs. 2297.80 ± 60.46, P = 0.008). LASSO (least absolute shrinkage and selection operator) and multivariable Cox regression analyses showed the ASP level (HR = 1.004, 95% CI [1.002,1.006], P = 0.002) was an independent predictor for adverse HFAEs in ARVC patients. The spline‐fitting procedure was applied to illustrate the HFAE‐free probabilities at different time points.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that plasma ASP may be a useful biomarker in prediction of adverse HF‐associated events in ARVC patients.
Ionic Liquid‐Catalyzed C−C Bond Formation for the Synthesis of Polysubstituted Olefins
Authors: Lv Haotian , Han Feng , Wang Ning , Lu Nan , Song Zenghong , Zhang Jian , Miao Chengxia
Published: November 2022

Polysubstituted olefins as attractive and useful compounds are generally acquired by traditional acid or metal catalyzed system. Herein, a convenient and environmentally friendly method using acidic ionic liquid as a metal‐free catalyst and dimethyl carbonate (DMC) as a green solvent has been demonstrated to synthesize polysubstituted olefins through construction of new C−C bonds by activating of ethers and alkenes. In the system, the usage of metal, halogen, traditional toxic solvents, and a large number of additives was avoided, neutralization after the reaction was not required, and waste production was reduced. The system was suitable for benzyl ethers and styrene derivatives, and recyclable [MeBs(dio)TMP][OTf] exhibited best activity. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggest synergistic functions of the cation and anion of ILs and show hydrogen bonds and π‐π stacking interactions between catalyst and substrates, which can lead to lower barriers.
Effect of calcium hydroxide on the characteristics of volatile organic compounds emission during sewage sludge incineration
Authors: Zhang Shizao , Xu Zhenghui , Hu Chunhua , Shen Hong , Hu Suliu , Zhu Dingfang , Liu Minghui , Liu Juanjuan , Fang Ping
Published: November 2022

Emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during sludge incineration was explored after the addition of calcium hydroxide (Ca [OH]2), and the effects of incineration temperature, sludge particle size, and moisture content were investigated in a lab‐scale tubular furnace. Further, the contribution of the emission of VOCs in ozone formation potential (OFP) without Ca (OH)2 was calculated. The results indicated that incineration temperature in the range of 550–950°C can inhibit the emission of VOCs, with concentrations of the emissions varying from 3076.91 to 1277.11 μg/m3. Ca (OH)2 content had pronounced effects on the emission of VOCs during sludge incineration. The emission concentration of the VOCs decreased from 2421.16 to 1226.68 μg/m3 with Ca (OH)2 content increasing from 0 to 0.8 g. Sludge particle size and moisture content had little effects on the total amount of emitted VOCs during sludge incineration. Meanwhile, the contribution of the components of VOCs from sludge incineration in OFP was analyzed, which exhibited a decreasing trend: aromatic compounds > other substances > alkanes and olefins > chlorinated organic compounds. Aromatic compounds displayed the highest contribution rate at 92.72% because of the high concentration of benzene (1033.43 μg/m3). Our study provided theoretical data and a strong evidence of reduction in the emission of VOCs, OFP, and environmental regulation during sludge incineration.
Dynamic response characterization and simplified analysis methods for viscoelastic dampers considering heat transfer
Authors: Kasai Kazuhiko , Osabel Dave Montellano , Sato Daiki
Published: November 2022

Viscoelastic (VE) dampers are sensitive to temperature, excitation frequency, and strain level. As they dissipate the kinetic energy from earthquake or wind‐induced structural vibrations, their temperature increases from the heat generated, consequently softening their VE materials and lowering their dynamic mechanical properties. Temperature increase can be significant for long‐duration loading, but can be limited by heat conduction and convection which depend on damper configuration. The writers analytically explored such effect on the six different dampers by using their previously proposed three‐dimensional finite‐element analysis method. Results provided better understanding of how heat is generated within the VE material, conducted and stored in different damper parts, and dispersed to the surrounding air. These results also led to characterization of both local (e.g., temperatures, properties, and strain energy density) and global (e.g., hysteresis loops, and stiffness) behavior of VE dampers, and provided a framework for a new simplified one‐dimensional (1D) modeling approach for time‐history analysis. This new proposed 1D method greatly improves the computation time of the previously proposed long‐duration method coupling fractional time‐derivatives VE constitutive rule with 1D heat transfer analysis. Unlike the previous method, it idealizes uniform shear strain and VE material property distributions for computational efficiency, but still simulating non‐uniform temperature distribution along the thickness direction of the VE material. Despite the approximations, it accurately predicts VE damper global responses.
Cyclic Displacement Model for Reinforced Concrete Columns
Authors: Bicici Erkan , Sezen Halil
Published: November 2022

Reinforced concrete (RC) structures in low to moderate seismic regions and many older RC structures in high seismic regions include columns with steel reinforcement details not meeting the requirements of modern seismic design codes. These columns typically fail in shear or in a brittle manner and their behavior must be accurately captured when RC structures are modeled and analyzed. The total lateral displacement of a low ductility or shear critical RC column can be represented as the sum of three displacement components: (1) flexural displacement, (2) displacement due to slippage of the reinforcing bars at column ends, and (3) shear displacement. In this study, these three displacement components are separately modeled and then combined together following a proposed procedure based on the expected overall behavior of the column and its failure mechanism. A simplified slip model is proposed. The main objective of this research is to develop an easy‐to‐apply method to model and capture the cyclic behavior of RC columns considering the shear failure mechanism. The proposed model is validated using the available data from RC column and frame experiments.
Intelligent reflecting surface empowered WPCN system over generalized κ−μ$$ \kappa -\mu $$ fading channels: Performance analysis and optimization
Authors: Nagarajan Deepan , Balakrishnan Rebekka
Published: November 2022

Intelligent reflecting surfaces (IRS), which dynamically modify the incident electromagnetic wave propagation characteristics, are appealing as a potential candidate to improve the spectral and energy efficiency of future wireless communication networks. In this paper, we investigate the performance of an IRS‐enabled wireless powered communication network (WPCN), which consists of a dedicated power source (PS), an energy‐constrained wireless device (WD), and a data access point (DAP). Due to energy limitations, WD first performs energy harvesting (EH) operation through the radio‐frequency (RF) signal supplied by the PS and then uses this energy to transmit its information to DAP. In this system setup, an IRS module is employed at both PS and DAP, respectively, in order to enhance the wireless energy transfer and wireless information transfer efficiency. For the underlying system model, we develop a unified performance evaluation framework with regard to outage probability, average throughput, effective throughput, and average, by assuming a generalized fading channels. In addition, we also present an asymptotic analysis, under a high signal‐to‐noise ratio assumption, which helps us to understand the system behavior deeply. Furthermore, an optimal EH time duration is developed for the proposed model to achieve maximum system throughput. The numerical simulation results demonstrate that the IRS‐enabled wireless transmission mechanisms for the WPCN system help to boost the overall performance significantly compared to conventional WPCN networks. All the derived numerical results are verified with Monte‐Carlo simulation results.
New insights into the petrogenesis of rhyolites and evolution of volcanic‐hosted massive sulphide mineralization from shallow borehole core, Betul Belt, Central India
Authors: Abhirami Sethuraman Gomathi , Satyanarayanan Manavalan , Kumar Dewashish
Published: November 2022

Shallow borehole drilling has been conducted at the Sarni area of Betul Belt, Central India to understand the subsurface geology and nature of mineralization. The predominant lithounits are ferruginous quartzites, felsic volcanic rocks, and with minor intrusions of amphibolites. The encountered felsic volcanic rocks are rhyolites varying from pink (rich in K‐feldspar) to grey (rich in Na‐feldspar and amphiboles). The rhyolitic rocks have undergone intense hydrothermal alteration. The alteration zones are defined by the presence of biotite‐chlorite‐garnet‐gahnite; biotite‐sericite‐chlorite‐anthophyllite and anthophyllite‐actinolite‐tremolite‐carbonate mineral assemblages. Sulphide pits, highly leached zones with occasional bluish tinges, limonitic patches are present in the felsic volcanic rocks, followed by semi‐massive to disseminated sulphide mineralization indicative of Kuroku‐ type Zn–Cu–Pb volcanic‐hosted Massive Sulphide (VHMS) mineralization. Scanning electron microscope and energy‐dispersive x‐ray spectroscopy studies documented sphalerite, pyrite, chalcophyrite, arsenopyrite, pyrrhotite, and minor Au–Ag phases. The Sarni rhyolites exhibit chalcopyrite disease in sphalerite, replacement, and overgrowth ore‐textures. The high HFSE, low Zr/Y ratio, pronounced negative Eu anomalies characterize the felsic volcanic rocks as FIIIb type with high zircon saturation temperatures of 856–931°C. These rhyolites are formed at a back‐arc rift setting in an ensialic island‐arc tectonic regime. The synvolcanic structures facilitated the magma ascent to the surface. The hydrothermal circulation due to adequate heat flow in the back‐arc rift environment, in an episodic multicyclic process provided sufficient time for accumulation of sulphides from the seafloor, which was later deposited to form a VHMS mineralization. We also report tungsten (W) mineralization in the quartz veins of these felsic volcanic rocks. It is suggested that the felsic magma has interacted with metasedimentary sequences and assimilated W‐ore bearing fluids, and during remobilization in the later stages of tectonic activity enabled the deposition of tungsten in these quartz veins.
Cesarean scar niche: An evolving concern in clinical practice
Authors: Armstrong Fionnvola , Mulligan Karen , Dermott Roisin Mac , Bartels Helena C. , Carroll Stephen , Robson Michael , Corcoran Siobhan , Parland Peter Mc , Brien Donal O. , Brophy David , Brennan Donal J.
Published: November 2022

Increasing cesarean section rates have led to an increased awareness of associated complications such as the formation of cesarean scar niche, defined as an indentation at the site of the cesarean scar with a depth of at least 2 mm, diagnosed by ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging. The precise prevalence of cesarean scar niche is unclear. The cause of a cesarean scar niche appears to be multifactorial and likely a combination of technical factors (low incision location), anatomical factors (uterine retroflexion), and patient factors, which might impair healing (body mass index, smoking, maternal age). Most patients with cesarean scar niche are asymptomatic; however, women can present with postmenstrual bleeding, pelvic pain, and subfertility. In pregnancy, cesarean scar niches have been associated with placenta accreta spectrum disorder and uterine rupture. Treatment should be reserved for symptomatic women. Hormonal treatment using either the combined oral contraceptive pill or a progesterone‐containing intrauterine device may address irregular vaginal bleeding. Surgical management should be reserved for those in whom hormonal manipulation has failed or is contraindicated. The aim of this review was to summarize current literature pertaining to the cause, prevalence, diagnosis, and symptoms of cesarean scar niche and to make recommendations for managing this relatively new condition.
Biomarkers of Vitamin D Metabolism and Hip and Vertebral Fracture Risk: The Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis
Authors: Hsu Simon , Criqui Michael H. , Ginsberg Charles , Hoofnagle Andrew N. , Ix Joachim H. , McClelland Robyn L. , Michos Erin D. , Shea Steven J. , Siscovick David , Zelnick Leila R. , Kestenbaum Bryan R. , de Boer Ian H.
Published: November 2022

Studies on associations between biomarkers of vitamin D metabolism and fracture risk have focused predominantly on White or elderly populations and may not be generalizable to relatively healthy multiethnic populations. We tested associations of total 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D), the ratio of 24,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 to 25‐hydroxyvitamin D3 (vitamin D metabolite ratio, VDMR), parathyroid hormone (PTH), and fibroblast growth factor‐23 (FGF‐23) concentrations measured in serum with risk of hip and vertebral fractures in the Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). Serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D2 and D3 and 24,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 were measured by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). The study cohort of 6466 participants was without clinically apparent cardiovascular disease and was 39% White, 27% Black, 22% Hispanic, and 12% Chinese. The mean age was 62 years, and 53% were female. There were 128 hip and vertebral fractures over a mean follow‐up of 14.2 years. 25(OH)D, the VDMR, PTH, and FGF‐23 were not significantly associated with fracture risk after adjustment for demographics, diabetes, smoking, systolic blood pressure, body mass index, medication use, albuminuria, and estimated glomerular filtration rate. Principal component analysis did not suggest differences in linear combinations of 25(OH)D, the VDMR, PTH, and FGF‐23 between participants who experienced fractures and those who did not. We did not observe significant interaction between race and ethnicity and any biomarker of vitamin D metabolism on fracture risk. In conclusion, none of the four serum biomarkers of vitamin D metabolism investigated showed a significant association with fracture risk in relatively healthy multiethnic populations. © 2022 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Tracking down the recent surge of polio virus in endemic and outbreak countries
Authors: Malik Shiza , Waheed Yasir
Published: November 2022

Continuous and progressive efforts are being made globally to eradicate the incidence of poliovirus. The detrimental nature of polio calls for action of global vaccination. Owing to large‐scale vaccination efforts, many countries have been declared polio‐free and people are fully vaccinated against poliovirus. However, concern still remains as new cases are being identified in countries declared polio‐free. This scenario is particularly noticed due to the comprised healthcare system in the past 3 years of the Corona pandemic. Conditions for lower‐middle‐income countries are more problematic, where there are meager healthcare resources and the burden on the healthcare system is higher. Studies indicate some cases of non‐paralytic species of polio including cVDPV1, cVDPV2, and cVDPV3 in the group of outbreak countries. However, the major problem is associated with wild‐type poliovirus, that is, WPV1 which leads to paralytic disease and is still present in endemic countries, such as Afghanistan and Pakistan. The incidence rate of wild polio cases has significantly decreased in comparison to the past years but the problem needs to be dealt with at the grass‐roots level. In this article, the most recent data have been collected pertaining to the incidence of multivariant species of poliovirus, with a special focus on endemic and outbreak countries. A short overview of challenges to vaccination and a recommendatory overview has also been included for dealing with polio surges.
How certain are El Niño–Southern Oscillation frequency changes in Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 models?
Authors: Fix Fiona , Buehler Stefan A. , Lunkeit Frank
Published: November 2022

El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is one of the most important modes of climate variability on interannual timescales. We aim to find out whether a change in ENSO frequency can be predicted for the nearer future. We analyse the unforced pre‐industrial control run and the forced 1%/year CO2 increase run for an ensemble of 43 general circulation models that participated in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6). We assume that the uncertainty of ENSO frequency trend estimates from an ensemble is caused by apparent trends as well as model differences. The part of the uncertainty caused by apparent trends is estimated from the pre‐industrial control simulations. As a measure for ENSO frequency, we use the number of El Niño‐ and La Niña‐like months in a moving 30‐year time window. Its linear decadal trend is calculated for every member. The multimember mean of the trend for both experiments is less than 0.7 events per decade. Given that the standard error is of the same order of magnitude, we consider this a negligible trend. The uncertainties are large in both experiments and we can attribute most of the intermember variability to apparent trends due to natural variability rather than different model reactions to CO2 forcing. This means that the impact of intermodel differences might have been overstated in previous studies. Apparent trends make it very difficult to make reliable predictions of changes in ENSO frequency based on 120‐year time series.
ARHGAP44 expression is associated with the metastasis of osteosarcoma and is a promising prognostic biomarker
Authors: Hu Shouchao , Wang Wenzhi
Published: November 2022

Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most domain primary malignant bone tumor. Treatment resistances and metastases result in a decreasing 5‐year overall survival rate of OS. However, Rho GTPase‐activating protein 44 (ARHGAP44) has not been well studied in OS. The OS patient data were obtained from Therapeutically Applicable Research to Generate Effective Treatments and Gene Expression Omnibus databases. We utilized Survival and Survminer package for survival analysis based on Kaplan–Meier method. The association between ARHGAP44 expression with the prognosis of OS was determined by Wilcoxon rank‐sum test and multivariate Cox regression analysis. The real‐time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting were conducted to validate the results. Gene set enrichment analysis was done to find significant Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways. The OS sample ARHGAP44 expression level was significantly higher than that in normal samples, which was validated in cell lines. High ARHGAP44 expression was associated with metastasis of OS. The OS patients with high ARHGAP44 expression had worse prognosis compared with low ARHGAP44 expression OS patients. In total, 10 KEGG pathways significantly activated in high ARHGAP44 expression OS patients, such as Hedgehog signaling pathway, Steroid biosynthesis, and so on. In summary, high ARHGAP44 expression was closely correlated with the metastasis and poor prognosis of OS. ARHGAP44 was a potential prognostic biomarker for OS.
Characterization of proteases from Irpex lacteus grown on minimally denatured soybean meal
Authors: Zhu Xiaoxu , Hua Yufei , Kong Xiangzhen , Li Xingfei , Chen Yeming , Zhang Caimeng
Published: November 2022

BACKGROUND

Acid and thermal stabilities are important properties for the preparation of acidic protein beverage. It is an important method for enzymatic modification to improve the functional properties of protein. Irpex lacteus protease showed a selective hydrolysis to soy proteins. The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanism of enzymatic hydrolysis and its effects on acid and thermal stabilities of soy proteins.

RESULTS

The I. lacteus protease selectively hydrolyzed the α and α′ subunits of the native soybean β‐conglycinin (7S globulin) to produce products that presented as the 55 kDa band upon sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The amino acid sequences of 55 kDa polypeptides were analyzed in gel multi‐enzyme digestion followed by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. By matching the multi‐enzyme digestion peptides with the published polypeptide chain sequences of the α and α′ subunits, it was confirmed that the 55 kDa polypeptides were formed by eliminating amino acid residues on both sides of the N‑ and C‐terminals. From the published protein structure database (https://www.uniprot.org/), it is known that the cleaved peptide bonds were in extension regions. Non‐selective enzyme hydrolysis of both β‐conglycinin (7S globulin) and glycinin (11S globulin), with corresponding drastic increases in the degree of hydrolysis, was observed when the substrates were preheated to the denaturation degree of 40% and above. However, 55 kDa hydrolyzed products and B polypeptides showed some extent of resistance to the proteolysis by I. lacteus protease even if denaturation degree was 100%. Both selective and non‐selective hydrolysis of soy proteins by I. lacteus protease improved the acid and heat stabilities under the same hydrolysis conditions (enzyme/substrate ratio, time, and temperature).

CONCLUSION

Enzymatic hydrolysis of soybean proteins by the I. lacteus protease can effectively improve the acid and thermal stabilities of proteins. This discovery is significant to avoid aggregation during processing in the beverage industry. In the near future, the protease has potential application value for modification of other proteins. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Investigation of the curing kinetics of polyurethane/nitrocellulose blends through FT‐IR measurements
Authors: Touidjine Sabri , Boulkadid Moulai Karim , Trache Djalal , Belkhiri Samir , Akbi Hamdane , Abdessamed Anes
Published: November 2022

Polyester (HTPS) based polyurethane (PU) elastomers were currently established to be effective binders for high‐energy composites with improved performances. Conventional PU binders are mostly non‐energetic materials, and consequently reduce the energy performance significantly. Nitrocellulose (NC), is an energetic polymer widely used as an ingredient in propellants, explosives, fireworks, and gas generators, it may be introduced in PU‐based compositions to overcome their performance drawback. Kinetic parameters must be specified in order to build PU binders with the most convenient and appropriate features. Therefore, the cure kinetics of polyester based polyurethane binder systems were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) isothermal method. The polyester prepolymer (Desmophen® 1200) was cured with hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI: Desmodur® N100) at various molar ratios (R[NCO]/[OH] = 0.6, 1, 1.25, and 1.5) and under different isothermal conditions (T = 60°C, 80°C, 100°C, and 120°C). In addition, the effect of the addition of nitrocellulose on the kinetics of polymerization of PU was investigated. The progression of the reaction was followed based on the decrease of the peak intensity of –NCO group at 2271 cm−1 as a function of the reaction time. The curing kinetic model and the apparent activation energy (Eα) were determined by the use of Kamal autocatalytic model and Friedman isoconversional method, respectively.
Will drought exacerbate the decline in the sustainability of plantation forests relative to natural forests?
Authors: Feng Siwen , Liu Hongyan , Peng Shushi , Dai Jingyu , Xu Chongyang , Luo Caifang , Shi Liang , Luo Mingyu , Niu Yiran , Liang Boyi , Liu Feng
Published: November 2022

Occupying 7% of the World's forest area, plantation forests have been increasing globally for the past 30 years and serve as a natural climate solution. However, whether plantation forests share the same fate as natural forests under the changing climate remains an open question. By establishing a framework in which climate directly and indirectly triggers or exacerbates fire and pests to affect forest vitality, we compared the vitality and resilience of 705 large plantation patches and 187 large natural forest patches over the past 20 years in China. Overall, large patches of plantation forests showed consistent sustainability with natural forests across China and were mainly distributed in humid areas with the fewest and weakest droughts. Forty percent of the vitality decline of natural forests was explained by droughts, pests, and fires driven by climate, while 70% of the vitality decline of plantation forests was affected by a combination of these disturbances through different pathways. As the site environments became drier, an increasing number of plantation forests showed lower vitality relative to natural forests. Frequent and serious droughts not only magnified the direct impact of drought on plantation forests, possibly due to homogeneous forest structure regarding ages and species, but also exacerbated forest fires and caused lower vitality of 85% of plantation forests relative to natural forests in southwest China. The work highlighted threats to the sustainability of plantation forests in site environments with frequent drought, challenging the efforts of expanding plantation forests.