bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transcriptome Analysis Revealed the Symbiosis Niche of 3D Scaffolds to Accelerate Bone Defect Healing
Authors: Ji Ce , Qiu Minglong , Ruan Huitong , Li Cuidi , Cheng Liang , Wang Juan , Li Changwei , Qi Jin , Cui Wenguo , Deng Lianfu
Published: January 2022

Three dimension (3D) printed scaffolds have been shown to be superior in promoting tissue repair, but the cell‐level specific regulatory network activated by 3D printing scaffolds with different material components to form a symbiosis niche have not been systematically revealed. Here, three typical 3D printed scaffolds, including natural polymer hydrogel (gelatin‐methacryloyl, GelMA), synthetic polymer material (polycaprolactone, PCL), and bioceramic (β‐tricalcium phosphate, β‐TCP), are fabricated to explore the regulating effect of the symbiotic microenvironment during bone healing. Enrichment analysis show that hydrogel promotes tissue regeneration and reconstruction by improving blood vessel generation by enhancing oxygen transport and red blood cell development. The PCL scaffold regulates cell proliferation and differentiation by promoting cellular senescence, cell cycle and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) replication pathways, accelerating the process of endochondral ossification, and the formation of callus. The β‐TCP scaffold can specifically enhance the expression of osteoclast differentiation and extracellular space pathway genes to promote the differentiation of osteoclasts and promote the process of bone remodeling. In these processes, specific biomaterial properties can be used to guide cell behavior and regulate molecular network in the symbiotic microenvironment to reduce the barriers of regeneration and repair.
Influence of electrolyte structural evolution on battery applications: Cationic aggregation from dilute to high concentration
Authors: Hu Jiangtao , Ji Yuchen , Zheng Guorui , Huang Weiyuan , Lin Yuan , Yang Luyi , Pan Feng
Published: January 2022

In the context of the rapid expansion of the electric vehicle market, the request for high‐energy‐density lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) has steadily increased, hence the demand for highly stable electrolytes. Over the past years, efforts have been devoted to the improvement of electrolyte materials. As a benchmarking breakthrough, the achievement of high concentration electrolyte (HCE) can be attributed to the altered cationic aggregation (i.e., cation‐solvent and cation‐anion coordination environment), which offers technical superiority over the widely applied conventional dilute electrolytes. More recently, based on the understanding of the dilute electrolyte and HCE, the concept of localized HCE (LHCE) has been proposed and extensively investigated. All these findings reveal a roadmap of electrolyte optimization for high‐performance LIBs via coordination structure regulation. Through elucidating the correlation of structure evolution therein and its critical effects on battery performance, this review aims to establish the design principle of electrolytes based on their structures other than component studies and thereby accelerate the development of high‐performance electrolytes.
Potential evolutionary body size reduction in a Malagasy primate (Propithecus verreauxi) in response to human size‐selective hunting pressure
Authors: Sullivan Alexis P. , Godfrey Laurie R. , Lawler Richard R. , Randrianatoandro Heritiana , Eccles Laurie , Culleton Brendan , Ryan Timothy M. , Perry George H.
Published: January 2022

Objectives

The Holocene arrival of humans on Madagascar precipitated major changes to the island's biodiversity. The now‐extinct, endemic “subfossil” megafauna of Madagascar were likely hunted by early human inhabitants. Perhaps in part due to preferential hunting of larger prey, no surviving endemic species on Madagascar is >10 kg. Moreover, some subfossil bones of extant lemurs are considerably larger than those of the modern members of their species, but subfossil versus modern locale differences for the comparisons conducted to date lead to uncertainty about whether these size differences reflect in situ change or pre‐existing ecogeographic variation. Here, we revisited this question with samples from nearby locales.

Materials and Methods

We used high‐resolution 3D scan data to conduct comparative morphological analyses of subfossil and modern skeletal remains of one of the larger extant lemurs, Verreaux's sifakas (Propithecus verreauxi) from subfossil and modern sites only ~10 km apart: Taolambiby (bones dated to 725–560—1075–955 cal. years before present) and Beza Mahafaly Special Reserve, respectively.

Results

The mean aggregate score for all subfossil elements (n = 12; 0.089 ± 0.117) is significantly greater than that for the modern individuals (n = 31; 0.009 ± 0.045; t‐test; p = 0.039). We found that the average subfossil sifaka bone is ~9% larger than that of modern sifakas (permutation test p = 0.037).

Discussion

We cannot yet conclude whether this size difference reflects evolutionary change or an archaeological aggregation/taphonomic process. However, if this is a case of phyletic dwarfism in response to human size‐selective harvesting pressures then the estimated rate of change is greater than those previously calculated for other archaeological cases of this phenomenon.
An overview of recent advances in the catalytic synthesis of substituted pyrans
Authors: Agarwal Shikha , Sethiya Ayushi , Soni Jay , Sahiba Nusrat , Teli Pankaj
Published: January 2022

Substituted pyrans (4H‐Chromenes) are the most significant structural scaffolds in synthetic and medicinal chemistry. They are found in an array of natural products, medicines, and phytochemical compounds, bearing an explicit of pharmacological activities. The structural importance of substituted pyrans has elicited a huge upsurge in the field of synthesis and biology. Different synthetic approaches of 4H‐chromene scaffolds have been discussed systematically to emphasize their significance in the scientific world. The present article summarizes the different synthetic strategies of substituted pyran derivatives via acid‐base catalysis, ionic liquids, nanomaterials, deep eutectic solvents, bio‐based, visible light, metal catalyzed, and so forth developed in the last decade. Moreover, this article will definitely contribute to the scientific world for developing synthetically and biologically important pyran analogs.
Enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation of soy flour to produce ethanol and soy protein concentrate with increased polyphenols
Authors: Agrawal Ruchir M. , Miller Michael J. , Singh Vijay , Stein Hans H. , Takhar Pawan S.
Published: January 2022

There is a need to effectively concentrate soy protein from defatted soy flour (DSF) while simultaneously valorizing the carbohydrate‐rich byproduct, which would otherwise be a waste. This study aims to evaluate a process developed to produce soy protein concentrates (SPC) by substantially hydrolyzing carbohydrates from DSF with the help of enzymes into water‐soluble saccharides and monomeric sugars, which were simultaneously utilized by Saccharomyces cerevisiae for fermentation into ethanol. The enzyme mixture consisted of cellulase, pectinase, and ‐galactosidase blend. The effect of process time on SPC, overall protein recovery, carbohydrate hydrolysis, yeast growth, ethanol concentration, and total polyphenol concentration (TPC) of SPC and hydrolysate was evaluated. Control and enzymes‐only (EO) systems were maintained in conjunction with the enzymes + yeast (EY) system to individually assess the impact of isoelectric precipitation of soy proteins and enzymatic hydrolysis of carbohydrates without yeasts. After 12.25 h of EY process, 100 g of dry DSF produced 68.45 g dry SPC containing % protein and 384 ml hydrolysate containing mg/ml ethanol. Flatulence‐causing raffinose‐series‐oligosaccharides (RSOs) were completely hydrolyzed. Soluble carbohydrates in the EY treatment were consistently lower than in the control and EO treatment. TPC of SPC prepared by EY treatment increased by 2.5 times compared to the control. Thus, this novel process successfully produced a high‐protein SPC with hydrolyzed RSOs, lower insoluble carbohydrates, high TPC, and a coproduct ethanol.
Abundance and nutritional status of freshwater turtles to guide delivery of environmental flows in the Murray‐Darling Basin, south‐eastern Australia
Authors: Francis Roxane J. , Brandis Kate J. , Chessman Bruce C. , Slavich Eve , Kingsford Richard T.
Published: January 2022

Almost half of Australian freshwater turtle species are formally listed as threatened, but little is known about the effects of water management and other factors on the abundance and health of freshwater turtles in arid and semi‐arid regions.

This study investigated how river flows (including the controlled release of water from an upstream storage facility, or ‘environmental flow’) and water quality might affect the abundance and nutritional status of three freshwater turtle species in three dryland rivers of the Murray–Darling basin in south‐eastern Australia.

No response in abundance or nutritional status of the broad‐shelled turtle, Chelodina expansa, the eastern long‐necked turtle, Chelodina longicollis, and the Macquarie turtle, Emydura macquarii, was detected in relation to river flows, possibly because of the small magnitude of the environmental flow. However, for C. expansa, the catch per unit effort (CPUE) was negatively related to increasing macrophyte cover, electrical conductivity (EC, an indicator of salinity), and turbidity. CPUE for C. longicollis was positively related to macrophyte cover and EC, and for E. macquarii it was positively related to macrophyte cover.

Haematological measurements suggested that the turtles had healthy nutritional status. Body condition and blood glucose and protein were related significantly to EC, whereas haematological measurements varied significantly among species and between spring and summer.

The main conclusion is that water management measures to help the conservation of these turtles should include sufficient environmental flow to produce overbank flooding, thereby creating and maintaining a wide range of habitat suitable for the differing needs of the individual species.
Conditions that do or do not disadvantage interdisciplinary research proposals in project evaluation
Authors: Seeber Marco , Vlegels Jef , Cattaneo Mattia
Published: January 2022

Despite interdisciplinary research playing a pivotal role in modern science, interdisciplinary research proposals appear to have a lower chance of being funded. Scholars suggested that interdisciplinary research may be disadvantaged in the evaluation and should be earmarked specific resources and evaluated by specific panels. However, empirical evidence is limited regarding the conditions under which interdisciplinary proposals are disadvantaged. We explore this issue in the context of the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) research funding framework, which, contrary to the common practice, does not organize the evaluation process around disciplinary panels, but with a panel‐free system. The sample includes data from five calls, from March 2015 to September 2017, for a total of 1,928 proposals, and 5,330 evaluations conducted by 3,050 reviewers. We find that the effect of a proposal’s degree of interdisciplinarity is negligible and not significant. We found no variation in this result across scientific fields and disciplinary expertise of reviewers, and no evidence of disciplinary “turf wars.” These results suggest that factors assumed to disadvantage interdisciplinary proposals, such as being inherently more challenging to be evaluated and being riskier, are less problematic when the evaluation is not organized around disciplinary panels but rather with a panel‐free system.
Prescribed performance control approaches, applications and challenges: A comprehensive survey
Authors: Bu Xiangwei
Published: January 2022

As to control systems, transient performance is as important as steady‐state performance. For some special dynamic systems, transient performance is a more prior index in comparison with the steady‐state one. Prescribed performance control (PPC) has been proved to be a powerful tool that guarantees control system outputs/errors with desired transient performance as well as steady‐state performance. The purpose of this paper is to give a comprehensive review on the latest developments of PPC theories and applications. The existing performance functions are classified into five different categories, and their features are comprehensively compared, providing a useful guidance for further applications. Then, the latest developments of PPC's applications in all kinds of control systems are recalled. Specially, the faced challenges and theoretical defects of PPC are discussed, which is expected to point out the further research direction for PPC.
Sensory features in autism: Findings from a large population‐based surveillance system
Authors: Kirby Anne V. , Bilder Deborah A. , Wiggins Lisa D. , Hughes Michelle M. , Davis John , Hall‐Lande Jennifer A. , Lee Li‐Ching , McMahon William M. , Bakian Amanda V.
Published: January 2022

Sensory features (i.e., atypical responses to sensory stimuli) are included in the current diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder. Yet, large population‐based studies have not examined these features. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of sensory features among autistic children, and examine associations between sensory features, demographics, and co‐occurring problems in other areas. Analysis for this study included a sample comprised of 25,627 four‐ or eight‐year‐old autistic children identified through the multistate Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network (2006–2014). We calculated the prevalence of sensory features and applied multilevel logistic regression modeling. The majority (74%; 95% confidence interval: 73.5%–74.5%) of the children studied had documented sensory features. In a multivariable model, children who were male and those whose mothers had more years of education had higher odds of documented sensory features. Children from several racial and ethnic minority groups had lower odds of documented sensory features than White, non‐Hispanic children. Cognitive problems were not significantly related to sensory features. Problems related to adaptive behavior, emotional states, aggression, attention, fear, motor development, eating, and sleeping were associated with higher odds of having documented sensory features. Results from a large, population‐based sample indicate a high prevalence of sensory features in autistic children, as well as relationships between sensory features and co‐occurring problems. This study also pointed to potential disparities in the identification of sensory features, which should be examined in future research. Disparities should also be considered clinically to avoid reduced access to supports for sensory features and related functional problems.

Lay Summary

In a large, population‐based sample of 25,627 autistic children, 74% had documented differences in how they respond to sensation. We also identified significant associations of sensory features with adaptive behavior and problems in other domains. Sensory features were less common among girls, children of color, and children of mothers with fewer years of education, suggesting potential disparities in identification.
Service Line Material Identification: Experiences From North American Water Systems
Authors: Liggett Jennifer , Baribeau Hélène , Deshommes Elise , Lytle Darren A. , Masters Sheldon V. , Muylwyk Quirien , Triantafyllidou Simoni
Published: January 2022

Key Takeaways

Under the Lead and Copper Rule Long‐Term Revisions, community water systems must establish an inventory of their lead service lines (LSLs); thus, the material used for every service line must be identified.

Developing, using, and managing an LSL inventory involves multiple steps, resources, and components, and the resulting information needs to be accurate.

An AWWA subcommittee interviewed 10 water systems to learn about their processes for LSL inventory creation, material identification, customer communication, and other aspects of their experiences.
Diversity in the Atlantic Canadian Water and Wastewater Industry
Authors: Rand Jennie L. , Newman Randy Lynn , Hechavarria Havana , Brushett Grace , Dye Kelly
Published: January 2022

Key Takeaways

A Canadian team researched how to attract and retain a diverse water sector workforce, which has been shown to support stronger organizations and their goals while cultivating inclusivity and equity in the industry.

Top research themes included commitment, sense of belonging, work–life balance, diversity climate, leadership, and meaningful engagement with underrepresented groups.

Interviews suggested current and changing views of the industry as white‐male‐dominated, developing strong leadership to improve employee retention, and adopting intentional practices and policies to support a strong diversity climate.
Indices of happiness and unhappiness during treatment of pediatric feeding disorders
Authors: Phipps Laura E. , Peterson Kathryn M. , Piazza Cathleen C.
Published: January 2022

To date, there is no research on the measurement of indices of happiness and unhappiness for children receiving behavior‐analytic treatment for feeding disorders and the research on caregiver treatment acceptability during feeding treatment is limited. The purpose of the current study was to measure child indices of happiness and unhappiness during extinction‐based treatment with and without noncontingent reinforcement and to evaluate caregiver treatment acceptability through the course of treatment. Child indices of happiness were idiosyncratic, while indices of unhappiness increased at the onset of treatment and were higher during extinction without noncontingent reinforcement, but eventually decreased. Overall, caregiver treatment acceptability remained high despite temporary increases in emotional responding. The current study introduces measures of social validity to use during feeding treatment (i.e., indices of happiness and unhappiness) and provides evidence that dense schedules of noncontingent reinforcement could serve to mitigate indices of unhappiness during the initial implementation of extinction‐based treatment.
Neurological complications of varicella zoster virus reactivation: Prognosis, diagnosis, and treatment of 72 patients with positive PCR in the cerebrospinal fluid
Authors: Lenfant Tiphaine , L'Honneur Anne‐Sophie , Ranque Brigitte , Pilmis Benoit , Charlier Caroline , Zuber Mathieu , Pouchot Jacques , Rozenberg Flore , Michon Adrien
Published: January 2022

Background

VZV infection can involve every level of the neurologic system: from the central nervous system (CNS) to the peripheral nervous system (PNS), including aseptic meningitis. Prognosis seems to differ between these neurological involvements. Prognostic factors remain unknown.

Methods

This is a retrospective multicenter study including all patients with a positive VZV polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from eight centers in Paris (France) between 2011 and 2018. Unfavorable outcome was defined as mortality linked to VZV or incomplete recovery. Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) evaluated disability before and after the infection, with the difference designated as Rankin Delta.

Results

Seventy‐two patients were included (53% male, median age 51 years, median mRS 0). Immunosuppression was reported in 42%. The clinical spectrum included 26 cases of meningitis, 27 instances of CNS involvement, 16 of PNS involvement, and 3 isolated replications (positive PCR but no criteria for neurological complications from VZV). Antiviral treatment was administered to 69 patients (96%). Sixty‐two patients completed follow‐up. Death linked to VZV occurred in eight cases. Unfavorable outcome (UO) occurred in 60% and was significantly associated with a higher prior mRS (Odd‐ratio (OR) 3.1 [1.4–8.8] p = .012) and the presence of PNS or CNS manifestations (OR 22 [4–181] p = .001, OR 6.2 [1.3–33] p = .03, respectively, compared to meningitis). In the CSF, higher protein level (p < .0001) was also significantly associated with a higher Rankin Delta.

Conclusions

Neurological complications of VZV with evidence of CSF viral replication are heterogeneous: aseptic meningitis has a good prognosis, whereas presence of CNS and PNS involvement is associated with a higher risk of mortality and of sequelae, respectively.
Variability of EEG electrode positions and their underlying brain regions: visualizing gel artifacts from a simultaneous EEG‐fMRI dataset
Authors: Scrivener Catriona L. , Reader Arran T.
Published: January 2022

Introduction

We investigated the between‐subject variability of EEG (electroencephalography) electrode placement from a simultaneously recorded EEG‐fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) dataset.

Methods

Neuro‐navigation software was used to localize electrode positions, made possible by the gel artifacts present in the structural magnetic resonance images. To assess variation in the brain regions directly underneath electrodes we used MNI coordinates, their associated Brodmann areas, and labels from the Harvard‐Oxford Cortical Atlas. We outline this relatively simple pipeline with accompanying analysis code.

Results

In a sample of 20 participants, the mean standard deviation of electrode placement was 3.94 mm in x, 5.55 mm in y, and 7.17 mm in z, with the largest variation in parietal and occipital electrodes. In addition, the brain regions covered by electrode pairs were not always consistent; for example, the mean location of electrode PO7 was mapped to BA18 (secondary visual cortex), whereas PO8 was closer to BA19 (visual association cortex). Further, electrode C1 was mapped to BA4 (primary motor cortex), whereas C2 was closer to BA6 (premotor cortex).

Conclusions

Overall, the results emphasize the variation in electrode positioning that can be found even in a fixed cap. This may be particularly important to consider when using EEG positioning systems to inform non‐invasive neurostimulation.
Rapid cycling bipolar disorder: Literature review on pharmacological treatment illustrated by a case report on ketamine
Authors: Bourla Alexis , Ferreri Florian , Baudry Thomas , Panizzi Vincent , Adrien Vladimir , Mouchabac Stéphane
Published: January 2022

Introduction

Rapid cycling bipolar disorder (RCBD) is defined as four or more affective episodes (depression, mania or hypomania) within 1 year. RCBD has a high point of prevalence (from 10% to 20% among clinical bipolar samples) and is associated with greater severity, longer illness duration, worse global functioning and higher suicidal risk, but there is no consensus on treatment option. The use of several pharmacological agents has been reported (levothyroxine, antipsychotics, antidepressants and mood stabilizers).

Objective

The main objective of this review was to propose a critical review of the literature and to rank the pharmacological agent using a level of evidence (LEO) adapted from the Center for Evidence‐Based Medicine, and to illustrate it with a case report on off‐label intravenous ketamine.

Method

We conducted a review using the MeSH terms and keywords (bipolar [Title/Abstract]) AND (rapid [Title/Abstract]) AND (cycling [Title/Abstract]) AND (treatment [Title/Abstract]). Alexis Bourla and Stéphane Mouchabac screened 638 documents identified through literature search in Medline (PubMed) or by bibliographic references and 164 abstracts were then analyzed. Nonpharmacological treatments were excluded.

Result

Seventy articles were included in the review and divided into six categories: mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, hormonal treatments, ketamine and other pharmacological treatments.

Discussion

Our review highlights the heterogeneity of the pharmacological treatment of RCBD and no clear consensus can emerge.
RETRACTED: The quality of life among Sudanese patients with epilepsy, Khartoum, Sudan
Authors: A. Ahmed Ibrahim Etedal , Hussain Mustafa Ali Lina , Mohamed Ahmed Khabab Abbasher Hussien , Omer Mohammed Eltahier Abdalla , Mahgoub Ibrahim M. , Salah‐Eldien Hassan Haroun Mazin , Mohammed Ibrahim Bashir Moez
Published: January 2022

Introduction

This is the first study done in the National Center for Neurological Sciences, Khartoum State, to assess the quality of life among more than 100 Sudanese epileptic patients, in the period from September to December 2020.

Methodology

This is a descriptive cross‐sectional study; data were collected using an interview‐based semi‐structured structured questionnaire and this questionnaire was modified from the SF‐36 model.

Results

Most of the patients were from urban areas and origin (60.2%), most of which were housewives; the majority of the patients were single and from low socioeconomic status, history of the disease was less than 3 years for most of the cases covered in this study, most of the cases were classified as generalized tonic clonic epilepsy, and normal EEG findings and normal MRI brain were found in 75.7% and 78.6%, respectively. Most patients mentioned that they experienced no attacks during the last month. Regarding mental health, 47.6% experienced symptoms of depression, and 75.7% had memory problems. In terms of physical health, 51.5% felt energetic all of the time, 9.7% experienced remarkable sleep disturbance, most of the patients are not driving nor have established hobbies during leisure time. 63.1% of the participants do not have health problems; 32% mentioned that they would feel stigmatized if an attack takes place in public. Commonest medication prescribed was carbamazepine, out of which 73.8% are fully compliant with their medication. 95.1% are not worried about long term use of medication.

Conclusion

Lower levels of education and manual labor are associated with poor quality of life. Epilepsy has an adverse impact on social life. There is a global decrease in cognitive function, and most of the patients are not worried about the side effects and duration of the medication usage.
Racial and ethnic variation in multigene panel testing in a cohort of BRCA1/2‐negative individuals who had genetic testing in a large urban comprehensive cancer center
Authors: Tatineni Sushma , Tarockoff Meri , Abdallah Nadine , Purrington Kristen S. , Assad Hadeel , Reagle Rachel , Petrucelli Nancie , Simon Michael S.
Published: January 2022

Background

There is sparse clinical information on the racial and ethnic distribution of results of multigene panel testing among individuals at high risk for hereditary cancer.

Methods

We evaluated the results of multigene panel testing across eight clinical sites across the state of Michigan for individuals seen for genetic counseling from May 13, 2013 to October 31, 2019 at the Karmanos Cancer Institute's cancer genetics clinic. We estimated the prevalence of pathogenic variants and variants of uncertain significance (VUS) from genes other than BRCA1/2 among individuals of non‐Hispanic White (NHW), Black or African American (AA), Ashkenazi Jewish (AJ), Arab, Hispanic, and other ancestry.

Results

The racial and ethnic distribution of 2419 individuals who had panel testing included 68.8% NHW, 22.1% AA, 2.3% Arab, 2.2% AJ, 1.0% Hispanic, and 3.6% other. Of these, 11.2% had pathogenic variants and 17.5% had VUS. After multivariable analyses, compared to NHW, AA were less likely to have pathogenic variants (OR 95% CI, 0.38, 0.24–0.59, p < 0.001). Both AA and Arabs were more likely to have VUS (OR 95% CI, 1.53, 1.18–1.98, p = 0.001 and OR 95% CI, 2.28, 1.17–4.43, p = 0.015, respectively). There were no significant differences for other groups. The most common pathogenic variants were CHEK2 (n = 65), MUTYH (n = 45), ATM (n = 28), and MSH2 (n = 22); the most common pathogenic variants by race and ethnicity were CHEK2 (NHW), MSH2 and MUTYH (AA), MSH2 (Arab), MSH6 and CHEK2 (AJ), and MLH1 (Hispanic); the most common pathogenic variants by primary cancer site were CHEK2 (breast), MSH2 (colon), BRIP1 and MUTYH (ovarian), and MSH2 and MSH6 (endometrial).

Conclusions

Understanding the racial and ethnic distribution of pathogenic variants in multi‐gene panels has the potential to lead to better identification of individuals at risk for hereditary cancer.
Nickel Oxide Nanoparticles: A Brief Review of Their Synthesis, Characterization, and Applications
Authors: Narender Sakhamudi Sai , Varma Vadlamuri Venkata Siddhartha , Srikar Chundury Sai , Ruchitha Jadhav , Varma Pericharla Adarsh , Praveen Bulusu Venkata Sesha
Published: January 2022

Particles with size in the range of 1–100 nm, considered in any dimension, are called nanoparticles (NPs). Among various nanoparticles, nickel oxide nanoparticles (NNPs) are important because of their physical, chemical, and biological properties. In the past two decades, significant research has been done on the synthesis of NNPs. Their applications range from energy storage to catalysis to antifungal and antibacterial activity. This review provides a brief overview of various methods used for synthesizing NNPs, their properties, and their applications. The synthesis methods are classified into physical synthesis, chemical synthesis, and green synthesis involving plants and microorganisms, especially fungi. Particular focus is given to the types of precursors used for their synthesis, morphology, particle size, and applications.
Stability studies of PtSn structured catalysts supported on thin layers of MAl2O4 (M: Mg, or Zn) for paraffins dehydrogenation reactions
Authors: Ballarini Adriana , Zgolicz Patricia , de Miguel Sergio , Bocanegra Sonia
Published: January 2022

In order to determine the catalytic stability, PtSn structured catalysts supported on thin films of MgAl2O4 or ZnAl2O4 deposited on α‐Al2O3 spheres were studied through five reaction‐regeneration cycles in the n‐butane dehydrogenation. Bimetallic catalysts show good catalytic stability along the five reaction‐regeneration cycles. Among the different synthesized catalysts, the PtSn/Sp‐Zn‐CN catalyst showed the best catalytic behaviour, showing very good values of yields to butenes and excellent catalytic stability along the cycles, even better than the one of a structured commercial catalyst used industrially for the dehydrogenation of paraffins. The characterization results by temperature‐programmed reduction and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy showed some modifications in the metallic phase of the catalysts after the cycles, mainly in the Sn/Pt surface ratios and in segregation effects in some catalysts. However, the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results are conclusive in the sense that, after the cycles, the bimetallic catalysts maintained a very high proportion of particles with sizes between 1–2 nm, and therefore, preserved a high metallic dispersion.
Stability criteria and convective mass transfer from the falling spherical drops, part II: Herschel–Bulkley fluids
Authors: Alam Md J. , Nirmalkar Neelkanth , Gupta Anoop K.
Published: January 2022

The combined effects of yield stress, shear‐thinning, and shear‐thickening fluid behaviour are investigated when a drop is falling in a Herschel–Bulkley fluid. The constitutive relation for Herschel–Bulkley fluids is regularized using the Papanastasiou regularization method. The governing partial differential equations for mass, momentum, and species transport are solved spanning a wide range of dimensionless numbers as Reynolds number, ; Schmidt number (10); Bingham number, ; viscosity ratio (0.1 and 10); and power‐law index, . The velocity field and mass transfer characteristics are expressed using streamlines, velocity contours, concentration contours, and sheared and un‐sheared regions, while the surface averaged gross engineering quantities are described as a drag coefficient, yield‐stress parameter, and Sherwood number. All else being equal, sheared regions in shear‐thinning fluids are observed to be larger with respect to the shear‐thickening fluids at finite Reynolds numbers. In the fully plastic flow limit, the yield stress effects dominate in the flow field, and therefore, the critical yield‐stress parameter is observed to be independent of shear‐thinning and shear‐thickening fluid behaviours. However, in the viscoplastic limit (finite Bingham number), shear‐thinning fluid always requires a larger value of yield stress to be static in the fluid with reference to shear‐thickening fluids. The new set of dimensionless parameters are defined based on the effective viscosity scales, and the predictive correlations are put forward for both drag coefficient and Sherwood number.
Synergism of enzymes in chemical pulp bleaching from an industrial point of view: A critical review
Authors: Immerzeel Peter , Fiskari Juha
Published: January 2022

Enzymes are biological catalysts and are very specific, catalyzing either a single chemical reaction or a limited number of closely related reactions. For example, xylanases are enzymes that catalyze the cleavage of polymeric xylan and thereby break down this hemicellulose. The first xylanase enzyme preparations used in the bleaching process of chemical pulp also contained cellulase, which catalyzes the hydrolysis of cellulose. This obviously had an adverse effect on pulp yield and quality. Unfortunately, this setback gave enzyme‐assisted pulp bleaching a negative reputation. At a later stage, enzyme producers managed to engineer enzyme production strains that generated cellulase‐free xylanase preparations. However, due to the initial negative experiences with the earlier enzyme mixtures, only a limited number of companies in the pulp industry have seriously considered using these so‐called second‐generation enzymes in their bleach plants. It is apparent that these improved enzyme preparations would bring about significant benefits in terms of chemical cost savings and effluent quality. In addition to xylanase‐aided bleaching, it is possible to improve the effectivity further by adding other enzymes, such as lipase and esterase, to create an enzyme cocktail. This may be particularly beneficial in the bleaching of hardwood pulp, such as white birch, which often encounters complex and troublesome problems with wood extractives. By adding different types of enzymes at more than one position in the fiberline, even further improvements are possible. The main objective of this review is to discuss the advantages of incorporating modern enzyme preparations in the bleaching of chemical pulp.
Spatial omics: Navigating to the golden era of cancer research
Authors: Wu Yingcheng , Cheng Yifei , Wang Xiangdong , Fan Jia , Gao Qiang
Published: January 2022

The idea that tumour microenvironment (TME) is organised in a spatial manner will not surprise many cancer biologists; however, systematically capturing spatial architecture of TME is still not possible until recent decade. The past five years have witnessed a boom in the research of high‐throughput spatial techniques and algorithms to delineate TME at an unprecedented level. Here, we review the technological progress of spatial omics and how advanced computation methods boost multi‐modal spatial data analysis. Then, we discussed the potential clinical translations of spatial omics research in precision oncology, and proposed a transfer of spatial ecological principles to cancer biology in spatial data interpretation. So far, spatial omics is placing us in the golden age of spatial cancer research. Further development and application of spatial omics may lead to a comprehensive decoding of the TME ecosystem and bring the current spatiotemporal molecular medical research into an entirely new paradigm.
Performance evaluation of compact FSS‐integrated flexible monopole antenna for body area communication applications
Authors: Sugumaran Bashyam , Balasubramanian Ramachandran , Palaniswamy Sandeep Kumar
Published: January 2022

This article presents a compact wearable antenna integrated with a novel frequency selective surface (FSS) made of textile materials. The antenna can be applied in wearable health monitoring applications aimed at the 2.45‐GHz Industrial Scientific and Medical (ISM) band. An array of 4 × 4 octagonal slot‐shaped FSS (106 × 106 mm2) superstrate enhances the performance of the modified Koch curve planar monopole antenna (44.85 × 39 mm2). The Jeans substrate prototype with the overall dimensions of 1.128λ0 × 1.128λ0 × 0.319λ0 covers the bandwidth of 2.45‐GHz ISM band from 2.24 to 2.76 GHz (S11 ≤ −10 dB). The band rejection and reflective nature of the proposed FSS suppress the back radiation and improves the antenna's gain by −20 dB and 6.3 dBi, respectively. The specific absorption rate (SAR) level is reduced to 0.445 W/kg from 24.995 W/kg with a higher reduction rate of 98.21%. Many literature reports produced higher gain and lower SAR but exhibited reduced efficiency when the antenna is placed near the human body. The wearable antenna's frequency response tends to vary under bending conditions for narrowband antennas. Wide‐band monopole antennas produce omnidirectional radiation pattern which tends to affect human body tissues. So stable polarization‐insensitive FSS is placed behind the antenna to enhance the antenna's gain and avoid back radiation. The proposed antenna exhibits stable performance under bending conditions with fractional bandwidth of 22.2%, gain of 8.83 dBi, and produces a better efficiency of 91.30% when the antenna is positioned in the vicinity with human body models. The experimental validation shows that the proposed antenna is a promising candidate for wireless body area networks.
The post‐pandemic future of higher education
Authors: Radwan Ahmed
Published: January 2022

COVID‐19 had an impact on all of us, mostly in a negative way. However, when it comes to the future of higher education, the impact may not always be negative. These 20 months, and still counting, have taught us the need to be resilient, and the need to adapt a student‐centered approach for our survival.
Protect your campus from scams with social media, proactive education
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: January 2022

Anecdotal evidence suggests that scams targeting college campuses, both the community at large and college and university students, are on the rise — potentially due to financial difficulties caused by the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Adopt an abundance mindset to boost your leadership potential
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: January 2022

When Laura Freebairn‐Smith was conducting research for her doctorate, she worked with John Pepper, who served as Chief Executive Officer of Proctor & Gamble. While thinking through other questions about leadership, the one she kept coming back to was “Why is he so great to work for?” He was “energetically a joy to be with” and exuded a sense that everything would be fine.
Biologics and small molecule inhibitors for hidradenitis suppurativa
Authors: Shih Terri , De Devea R. , Shi Vivian Y. , Hsiao Jennifer L.
Published: January 2022

Background

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a debilitating, chronic inflammatory dermatosis that is often recalcitrant to first‐line treatments. Though mechanisms underlying its pathology remain unclear, a number of upregulated inflammatory cytokines (including tumor necrosis factor‐α [TNF‐α], interleukin [IL]‐1, IL‐17, IL‐12, and IL‐23) have been identified in HS, leading to a growing investigation of targeted biologic therapies in moderate‐to‐severe HS.

Objective

We aim to review the current literature on biologics and small molecule inhibitors that have been used to treat HS and discuss mechanisms of action, dosing, safety considerations, and recommendations for use.

Findings

Biologics that have been reported to treat HS include TNF‐α inhibitors (adalimumab, infliximab, golimumab, and certolizumab), IL‐1 inhibitors (anakinra and canakinumab), IL‐12/23 inhibitor (ustekinumab), IL‐23 inhibitors (guselkumab, risankizumab, and tildrakizumab), IL‐17 inhibitors (secukinumab, ixekizumab, and brodalumab), and small molecule inhibitors (tofacitinib and sirolimus). Though adalimumab is currently the only FDA‐approved agent to treat HS, those who do not have an optimal response may still benefit from a different anti‐TNF agent, particularly high dose infliximab. A number of other targeted treatments have also shown promising results in small prospective studies for consideration in HS patients. Additional considerations in biologic therapy include mitigating patient concerns about injection reactions and choosing agents that may also treat comorbid conditions.

Conclusion

This review summarizes the current literature on the use of biologics and small molecule inhibitors in HS. There remains a significant and continued need to expand the treatment armamentarium for moderate to severe HS
Capillary electrophoresis coupled to chemometrics for analysis of carbon dots in nanoparticles mixtures
Authors: Oliveira Levi , Arroyave Manuel , Pistonesi Marcelo F. , Fragoso Wallace , Springer Valeria
Published: January 2022

Since their discovery in 2004, carbon dots (CDs) have attracted attention due to their intrinsic physicochemical properties and the easy synthesis from simple precursors. However, quantification of CDs in mixtures of nanoparticles with similar sizes and surface functionality is still a challenging issue for research applications or regulatory purposes. In this work, CDs and silver nanoparticles were first synthesized under alkaline conditions by using glucose as precursor and capping agent, respectively. Mixtures of these nanoparticles were made at micromolar range, without purification, and then analyzed by CE–DAD, using an electrolyte solution composed of 20 mM sodium borate and 20 mM SDS at pH 8.5, in a total time of <15 min. The three‐way electrophoretic data were then decomposed by advanced chemometric models, parallel factor analysis and multivariate curve resolution–alternating least‐squares. The explained variances for both models were 95.8% (parallel factor analysis) and 85.3% (multivariate curve resolution–alternating least‐squares). In both cases, the quality of the results was verified by the root mean square standard deviation coefficient variation, which resulted lower than 5%, and no significant bias was observed at 95% of statistical confidence. Satisfactory prediction for CDs concentration was obtained with recovery values between 80.0% and 115%.
Simultaneous fault diagnosis based on multiple kernel support vector machine in nonlinear dynamic distillation column
Authors: Taqvi Syed Ali Ammar , Zabiri Haslinda , Uddin Fahim , Naqvi Muhammad , Tufa Lemma Dendena , Kazmi Majida , Rubab Saddaf , Naqvi Salman Raza , Maulud Abdulhalim Shah
Published: January 2022

Although numerous works have been done, most of the studies in fault diagnosis are limited to single fault type at a time. Majority of the works reported in the literature do not extend the diagnosis of the root cause of the fault for simultaneous faults specifically in the distillation column. However, an industrial system is susceptible to more than one fault at a time, which may or may not be interrelated. These faults not only reduce the diagnosis performance but also increase the computational complexity of the diagnosis algorithm. In this work, therefore, a multiple kernel support vector machine (MK‐SVM) algorithm is proposed to diagnose simultaneous faults in the distillation column. In the developed MK‐SVM algorithm, multilabel approach based on various kernel functions has been utilized for the classification of simultaneous faults. Dynamic simulation of a pilot‐scale distillation column using Aspen Plus® is used for generating data in normal and faulty operation. Eight different fault types are considered, including valve sticking at reflux and reboiler, tray upsets, loss of feed flow, feed composition, and feed temperature changes. In the classification of simultaneous faults, a combination of two, three, and four faults is introduced for the performance evaluation of the proposed MK‐SVM algorithm. The result showed that the proposed MK‐SVM has a high fault detection rate (FDR) of 99.51% and a very low misclassification rate (MR) of 0.49%. The MK‐SVM–based classification is better with the F1 score of >97% for all combinations of faults. Moreover, it is observed that the proposed MK‐SVM shows better fault diagnosis for single, multiple, and simultaneous faults as compared to other established machine‐learning algorithms.
Effect of electrospraying conditions on the properties of aspalathin‐Eudragit S100 nanoparticles and assessment of orogastrointestinal stability and membrane permeability
Authors: Human Chantelle , De Beer Dalene , Bowles Sandra , Joubert Elizabeth
Published: January 2022

Aspalathin, a C‐glucosyl dihydrochalcone, could have beneficial effects in the gut through the modulation of the microbiome. However, aspalathin is susceptible to oxidative degradation. The effect of electrospraying conditions on encapsulation of an aspalathin‐rich fraction prepared from green rooibos (GRAF; 40% aspalathin, m/m) with Eudragit S100 (ES100), a pH‐sensitive release polymer, was investigated to enhance the stability of aspalathin. Electrospraying conditions were varied according to a central composite design, using ES100 concentrations of 1–6% (m/m), GRAF concentrations of 5–25% (m/m, relative to polymer concentration), and voltages of 10–25 kV. The varying conditions produced nanoparticles ranging in yield (60.3–83.7%), encapsulation efficiency, (20.5–81.8%), loading capacity (1.0–14.9%), particle size (183–260 nm), and polydispersity index (0.35–0.74). The GRAF nanoparticles and nanoparticles prepared with pure aspalathin were evaluated for stability and release of aspalathin at fixed pH–time combinations (pH 6.8, 5 min; pH 2, 120 min; pH 4, 60 min; and pH 7, 120 min), simulating the pH and residence/transit time at various locations of the orogastrointestinal tract. Nanoencapsulation decreased aspalathin degradation at all pH‐time combinations (1.9–2.7 times less degradation; p < 0.05), except for pH 7, 120 min (p ≥ 0.05), thus offering protection from the pH of the upper gastrointestinal tract. Additionally, the parallel artificial membrane permeability assay and the Caco‐2 monolayer model indicated that the low membrane permeability of aspalathin after nanoencapsulation was maintained that would limit absorption, ideal for delivery in the gut. Thus, nanoencapsulated aspalathin holds potential for the regulation of gut microbiota.
Effect of processing technology on chemical, sensory, and consumers' hedonic rating of seven olive oil varieties
Authors: Ben‐Hassine Kaouther , Taamalli Amani , Rezig Leila , Yangui Islem , Benincasa Cinzia , Malouche Dhafer , Kamoun Naziha , Mnif Wissem
Published: January 2022

This study established physicochemical and sensory characteristics of virgin olive oils (VOOs) and linked them to consumers’ liking using external preference mapping. We used five Tunisian and two foreign VOO varieties produced by two processing systems: discontinuous (sp) and continuous three‐phase decanter (3p). The samples were analyzed and evaluated by a panel of 274 consumers. The external preference mapping revealed five VOO clusters with a consumer preference scores rating from 40% to 65%. Consumers highly appreciated the foreign Coratina cultivar's olive oil; the main drivers being richness in polyphenols (markers of bitterness and pungency), mainly the oleuropein aglycone, and volatile compounds (markers of green fruity, green leaves, green apple, cut grassy almond, and bitterness), particularly the trans‐2‐hexenol. The Tunisian Chemlali (3p) oil was second highly preferred (scoring 55%). The positive drivers for olive oil preference (a profile of almond fruity green and low bitterness and pungency) are the richness in hexanal compounds. Arbequina (sp and 3p) and Chemlali (sp) were the least appreciated due to the fact that Arbequina VOO is not in the tradition of Tunisian consumers, whereas Chemchali VOO is a minor variety representing only 2% of olive oil production in Tunisia and consumed mostly in blends. The differentiation between the two processing systems depends on the variety of cultivar; consumers are able to identify the two processing system in the case of Chetoui, Leguim, and Chemchali.