bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determination of N‐centered stereochemistry in N22‐methylated chlorophyll‐a derivatives and their epimer‐dependent optical spectra
Authors: Ataka Riko , Taniguchi Tohru , Monde Kenji , Tamiaki Hitoshi
Published: June 2024

An N‐centered epimeric mixture of chlorophyll‐a derivatives methylated at the inner nitrogen atom was separated by reverse‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography. Circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopic analyses of the epimerically pure N22‐methyl‐chlorins revealed that the minor first‐eluted and major second‐eluted stereoisomers were (22S)‐ and (22R)‐configurations, respectively. Their visible absorption and CD spectra in solution were dependent on the N22‐stereochemistry. The epimer‐dependent spectral changes were independent of the substituents at the peripheral 3‐position of the core chlorin chromophore.
Mixed convective viscous dissipative flow of Casson hybrid nanofluid with variable thermal conductivity at the stagnation zone of a rotating sphere
Authors: Singla Tanvi , Kumar Bhuvaneshvar , Sharma Sapna
Published: June 2024

Mixed convection flows across the revolving bodies have eminent applications in science and technology, such as fibre coating, polymer deposition, centrifugal blood pumps, rotatory machinery, and so forth. In the current work, magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) flow and heat transfer characteristics of Casson hybrid nanofluid (Ag/MgO as nanoparticles) over the rotating sphere at the stagnation zone are being studied. Moreover, an analysis of heat transmission is conducted by considering the influence of thermal radiation, temperature‐dependent thermal conductivity, magnetic field, and viscous dissipation. The relevant partial differential equations are reformed into ordinary differential equations by appropriate transformations, which are solved using the successive linearization method (SLM). The thermal field, velocity components in x and z directions, heat transfer rate, and skin friction coefficient are computed for various physical quantities like rotation parameter mixed convection parameter, radiation parameter, Eckert number, Casson parameter, magnetic parameter, variable thermal conductivity parameter, and so forth. The current findings align well with the literature in a limiting sense. Thermal enhancement in hybrid nanofluid is observed for the viscous dissipation parameter (Ec), thermal conductivity parameter (), and radiation parameter (Rd). The degree of heat transfer rises from 12.8% to 20% when the Casson parameter's value () increases. Also, a decrease of approximately 33% is depicted between the peak values of the velocity magnitude with an increase in rotation parameter.
What do cancer genetic providers want us to know about variant reclassification and recontact that we are not asking? A thematic analysis of open‐ended survey responses
Authors: Brown Kerri , Ponton Marisel , Davidson Elenita , Arun Banu , Volk Robert J. , Shete Sanjay , Peterson Susan K. , Makhnoon Sukh
Published: June 2024

Background

Accurate variant classification and relaying reclassified results to patients is critical for hereditary cancer care delivery. Over a 5‐ to 10‐year period, 6%–15% of variants undergo reclassification. As the frequency of reclassifications increases, the issue of whether, how, when, and which providers should recontact patients becomes important but remains contentious.

Methods

The authors used inductive thematic analysis to analyze open‐ended comments offered by oncologists and genetic counselors (GCs) from a large national survey.

Results

Of the 634 oncologists and cancer GCs, 126 (20%) offered substantive free‐text comments. Four thematic areas emerged: 1) ambiguity over professional responsibility to recontact, 2) logistical challenges with recontact, 3) importance of inter‐institutional communication, and 4) suggested solutions. Some oncologists felt that laboratories, not them, are responsible for recontact; others believed that ordering providers/GCs were responsible; GCs readily acknowledged their own responsibility in recontact but added important caveats. Besides the lack of up‐to‐date patient contact information, providers raised unique challenges with recontact: financial instability of laboratories, lack of clinical resources, contacting family members, and accumulating burden of reclassifications. There were numerous calls for developing practice guidelines on prioritizing variants for recontact and discussion on whether duty for recontact may be fulfilled via unidirectional, low touch modalities. Potential solutions to recontact including national databases and patient facing databases were discussed.

Conclusions

The authors confirm previous themes of stakeholder opinions and add previously unreported contextual details to qualify those themes. Clarifying provider responsibilities through professional guidelines for reclassification and recontact addressing the subthemes identified here will better serve all constituencies.
Taming XeO3 with Aza‐Crowns: Computational Studies into σ‐Hole Mediated Host‐Guest Interactions
Authors: Dash Soumya Ranjan , Vanka Kumar
Published: June 2024

Various aza‐crowns with different sizes and substituents have been explored computationally as potential hosts for stabilizing the explosive guest xenon trioxide (XeO3) through σ‐hole‐mediated aerogen bonding interactions. Interestingly, aza‐crowns demonstrate superior binding towards XeO3 compared to their oxygen and thio counterparts. However, unlike the latter cases, where the binding was found to be increasingly favorable with the increase in the size of the crowns, aza‐crowns exhibit a variable size preference for XeO3, peaking with aza‐15‐crown‐5, and reducing thereafter with increase in crown size.
Effects of Clinical Mutations in the Second Coordination Sphere and Remote Regions on the Catalytic Mechanism of Non‐Heme Fe(II)/2‐Oxoglutarate‐Dependent Aspartyl Hydroxylase AspH
Authors: Krishnan Anandhu , Waheed Sodiq O. , Melayikandy Sreerag , LaRouche Ciara , Paik Meredith , Schofield Christopher J. , Karabencheva‐Christova Tatyana G.
Published: June 2024

Aspartyl/asparaginyl hydroxylase (AspH) catalyzes the post‐translational hydroxylations of vital human proteins, playing an essential role in maintaining their biological functions. Single‐point mutations in the Second Coordination Sphere (SCS) and long‐range (LR) residues of AspH have been linked to pathological conditions such as the ophthalmologic condition Traboulsi syndrome and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Although the clinical impacts of these mutations are established, there is a critical knowledge gap regarding their specific atomistic effects on the catalytic mechanism of AspH. In this study, we report integrated computational investigations on the potential mechanistic implications of four mutant forms of human AspH with clinical importance: R735W, R735Q, R688Q, and G434V. All the mutant forms exhibited altered binding interactions with the co‐substrate 2‐oxoglutarate (2OG) and the main substrate in the ferric‐superoxo and ferryl complexes, which are critical for catalysis, compared to the wild‐type (WT). Importantly, the mutations strongly influence the energetics of the frontier molecular orbitals (FMOs) and, thereby, the activation energies for the hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) step compared to the WT AspH. Insights from our study can contribute to enzyme engineering and the development of selective modulators for WT and mutants of AspH, ultimately aiding in treating cancers, Traboulsi syndrome and, CKD.
Dynamic Covalent Chemistry of Enamine‐Ones: Exploring Tunable Reactivity in Vitrimeric Polymers and Covalent Organic Frameworks
Authors: Jadhav Thaksen , Dhokale Bhausaheb , Saeed Zeinab M. , Hadjichristidis Nikos , Mohamed Sharmarke
Published: June 2024

Dynamic covalent chemistry (DCC) has revolutionized the field of polymer science by offering new opportunities for the synthesis, processability, and recyclability of polymers as well as in the development of new materials with interesting properties such as vitrimers and covalent organic frameworks (COFs). Many DCC linkages have been explored for this purpose, but recently, enamine‐ones have proven to be promising dynamic linkages because of their facile reversible transamination reactions under thermodynamic control. Their high stability, stimuli‐responsive properties, and tunable kinetics make them promising dynamic cross‐linkers in network polymers. Given the rapid developments in the field in recent years, this review provides a critical and up‐to‐date overview of recent developments in enamine‐one chemistry, including factors that control their dynamics. The focus of the review will be on the utility of enamine‐ones in designing a variety of processable and self‐healable polymers with important applications in vitrimers and recyclable closed‐loop polymers. The use of enamine‐one linkages in crystalline polymers, known as COFs and their applications are also summarized. Finally, we provide an outlook for future developments in this field.
Toward Sustainable Polymer Materials for Rechargeable Batteries: Utilizing Natural Feedstocks and Recycling/Upcycling of Polymer Waste
Authors: Jeong Daun , Kwon Da‐Sol , Won Gwangbin , Kim Seunghyeon , Bang Joona , Shim Jimin
Published: June 2024

The ever‐increasing demand for rechargeable battery systems in the era of electric vehicles has spurred extensive research into developing polymeric components for batteries, such as separators, polymer electrolytes, and binders. However, current battery systems rely on expensive and nonrenewable resources, which potentially have a negative environmental impact. Therefore, polymer materials derived from natural resources have gained significant attention, primarily due to their cost‐effective and environmentally sustainable features. Moreover, natural feedstocks often possess highly polar functional groups and high molecular weights, offering desirable electro‐chemo‐mechanical features when applied as battery materials. More recently, various recycling and upcycling strategies for polymeric battery components have also been proposed given the substantial waste generation from end‐of‐life batteries. Recycling polymeric materials includes an overall process of recovering the components from spent batteries followed by regeneration into new materials. Polymer upcycling into battery materials involves transforming daily‐used plastic waste into high‐value‐added battery components. This review aims to give a state‐of‐the‐art overview of contemporary methods to develop sustainable polymeric materials and recycling/upcycling strategies for various battery applications.
From sampling to cellblock: The fully automated journey of cytological specimens
Authors: Taffon Chiara , Naciu Anda Mihaela , Bonfiglio Rita , Palumbo Valeria , Maricchiolo Giulia , Morano Vittoria , Salducci Mauro , Stigliano Serena , Palermo Andrea , Di Matteo Francesco Maria , Crescenzi Anna
Published: June 2024

In recent years, technological innovation have emerged to standardize pathology laboratory processes and reduce the handling of diagnostic samples. Among them is an automatic tissue embedding system that eliminates the need for manual activity in tissue paraffin embedding, thereby improving sample preservation. Unfortunately, this system cannot be used for cytological specimens due to the lack of an effective holder to support the procedure steps. In this study, we evaluated the performance of a commercial polymer matrix to enable and standardize the automatic paraffin embedding of cytological material from different organs and sources. Cytological samples from 40 patients were collected on the matrices and submitted for fully automatic workflow preparation, from formalin fixation until paraffin block, using the Sakura embedding system. Our results demonstrated the feasibility of the automated procedure, from loading cytological sample onto the matrix to obtaining the paraffin cellblock, thereby avoiding manual manipulation of cellular material. All samples resulted adequately processed and paraffin‐embedded showing satisfactory tissue permeation by processing reagents, optimal preservation of cytoplasmic and nuclear details, and good quality of staining results on paraffin sections. Automated embedding of cytological samples eliminates the risk of lost specimens, reduces laboratory burden, standardizes procedures, increases diagnostic yield, and ultimately improves patients' management.
Preparation and Aldol Couplings of 3(2H)‐Furanones: Stereoselective Synthesis of the C8‐C22 Fragment of Tuscoron A
Authors: Bieber Michelle Fernandez , Gao Xin , Wagner Raphael , Holzapfel Björn , Tomczyk Pascal , Menche Dirk
Published: June 2024

Various strategies for synthesis and stereroselective aldol coupling of furan‐3(2H)‐ones were evaluated that eventually enabled a highly stereroselective synthesis of the C8‐C22 fragment of tuscoron A.
Sustainable Supply Chains and Environmental Impacts in Consumer and Industrial Products (C&IP)
Authors: Clémençon‐Charles Elena , Brinton Sage , Bauke Matt
Published: June 2024

Motivations to prioritize sustainability and decarbonization in operations have shifted for companies, especially in consumer and industrial products (C&IP). Notably, changing consumer sentiment and culture, growing technology and product innovation, and evolving dynamics of supply chains are driving trends for the C&IP industry to prioritize sustainability initiatives. As described below, a survey of the top 250 consumer product executives reported two‐thirds of executives are focused on responding to changing consumer sentiment around sustainability, the need for digital transformation, and innovations along their supply chains.1
Another Defense of Abortion: What Transplant Ethics Tells Us about the Ethics of Abortion after Dobbs
Authors: Shapiro Devora , Pannekoek Jeffrey
Published: June 2024

In 1971, two years before Roe v. Wade affirmed federal protection for abortion, Judith Jarvis Thomson attempted to demonstrate the wrongs of forced gestation through analogy: you awake to find that the world's most esteemed violinist is wholly, physically dependent on you for life support. Here, the authors suggest that Thomson's intuition, that there is a relevant similarity between providing living kidney support and forced gestation, is realized in the contemporary practice of living organ donation. After detailing the robust analogy between living kidney donation and gestation, we turn to current ethical guidelines incorporated in the United Network for Organ Sharing's requirements for legally authorized organ donation and transplantation. We conclude that if, as we—and Thomson—suggest, organ donation and gestation are relevantly similar, then the ethical framework supporting donation may aid in articulating ethical grounds that will be compelling in informing the legal grounds for a defense of abortion.
Breaking Binaries: The Critical Need for Feminist Bioethics in Pediatric Gender‐Affirming Care
Authors: Campo‐Engelstein Lisa , Jackson Grayson R. , Moses Jacob D.
Published: June 2024

This commentary responds to Moti Gorin's article “What Is the Aim of Pediatric ‘Gender‐Affirming’ Care?” We argue that Gorin's case against pediatric gender‐affirming care rests upon numerous false conceptual binaries: female/male, public/private, objective/subjective, and medically necessary/elective. Drawing on feminist bioethics, we show how such dichotomous thinking is both inaccurate and marginalizing of gender minorities.
The Open Donor View and Procreative Beneficence
Authors: Groll Daniel
Published: June 2024

This letter responds to the article “What Do Prospective Parents Owe to Their Children?,” by Abigail Levin, in the March‐April 2024 issue of the Hastings Center Report.
Beyond the lunchbox: Menu development guidelines for the Tasmanian School Lunch Project
Authors: Galloway Claire , DePaoli Kate , Smith Kylie J. , Reardon Monique
Published: June 2024

Issue

Universal school lunches hold the potential to improve student nutritional intake and access to food, but to do so menus must be nutritionally adequate. There is growing interest in school lunch programs (SLPs) in Australia, and one is currently being trialled in Tasmania. No nutrition guidelines currently exist for menu development in Australian schools.

Methods

A desktop review of international SLPs was completed, and findings analysed in the context of Australian Nutrient Reference Values and Australian Dietary Guidelines to inform the development of Tasmanian SLP guidelines.

Discussion

Globally, SLPs are guided by portion sizes and/or nutrient criteria. SLPs (many of which address food insecurity) must provide children the opportunity to meet energy and nutrient needs, while minimising food waste. We propose energy‐based nutrient criteria and qualitative recommendations for menu development.

So What?

We have developed guidelines to inform the development of Tasmanian SLP menus. These guidelines may be applicable to other states and territories piloting similar programs.
Predicting carbon and oil price returns using hybrid models based on machine and deep learning
Authors: Molina‐Muñoz Jesús , Mora‐Valencia Andrés , Perote Javier
Published: June 2024

Predicting carbon and oil prices is recently gaining relevance in the climate change literature. This is due to the fact that conventional energy market analysis and the design of mechanisms for climate change mitigation constitute key variables for artificial carbon markets. Yet, modelling non‐linear effects in time series remains a major challenge for carbon and oil price forecasting. Hence, hybrid models seem to be appealing alternatives for this purpose. This study evaluates the performance of 12 hybrid models, which weigh results from random forest, support vector machine, autoregressive integrated moving average and the non‐linear autoregressive neural network models. The weights are determined by (i) assuming equal weights, (ii) using a neural network to optimise individual weights and (iii) employing deep learning techniques. The findings of our work confirm the salient characteristics of modelling the non‐linear effects of time series and the potential of hybrid models based on neural networks and deep learning in predicting carbon and oil price returns. Furthermore, the best results are obtained from hybrid models that combine machine learning and traditional econometric techniques as inputs, which capture the linear and non‐linear effects of time series.
Testing a modified information system success model in a mobile travel app context
Authors: Dube Nombeko , Humbani Michael
Published: June 2024

The purpose of the study was to test a modified information system success model in the context of a mobile travel application in order to provide a richer explanation of the focal operating system and the psychological factors that leisure travelers regard as important for user engagement with mobile travel apps. The interrelationship among the basic constructs of DeLone and McLean's information system success model were also explored. A sample size of 219 mobile travel application users aged 18 years and older and who reside in South Africa was collected using purposive non‐probability convenience sampling. A self‐administered online survey was used for data collection. An exploratory factor analysis revealed the information quality and system quality dimensions to be a single dimension, which was named information and system quality. The results established information and system quality as a significant predictor of service quality. Information and system quality, involvement, and enjoyment also emerged as significant predictors of user engagement with mobile travel applications, while service quality is not. Furthermore, engagement significantly influences word‐of‐mouth. The study suggests that service providers of mobile travel applications should consider both the information and system characteristics of an application and the psychological factors of involvement and enjoyment if they are to have a better understanding of user engagement with mobile travel applications. The findings indicate that the modified DeLone and McLean's information system success model could be more applicable to exploring mobile travel application engagement in emerging economies, and could be applied to future related studies in other contexts in order to expand existing knowledge.
Climate‐resilient water infrastructure: A call to action
Authors: Vinke‐De Kruijf Joanne , Heim LaFrombois Megan E. , Warbroek Beau , Morris John C. , Kuks Stefan M. M.
Published: June 2024

The effects of climate change have put tremendous stress on our existing water infrastructure and necessitate rethinking of how we govern and manage these systems. This commentary is a call to action for placing a holistic understanding of climate resilience at the center of water governance, understanding and approaching the issues as contextual and interdisciplinary in nature. Drawing from experiences from the Netherlands and the United States, this commentary outlines climate adaptation as policy dilemma and the role and characteristics of engineering, nature‐based, and community‐focused approaches. It concludes with some thoughts on pathways forward and an invitation for future research and dialog.
“Life Wouldn't be as Full without the Shed”: New directions for men in retirement
Authors: Heinz Melinda
Published: June 2024

Men's Sheds are grassroots organizations that began in Australia and have expanded to other parts of the world. They provide spaces for men to make new friends, participate in projects together or learn new skills. Men, as compared to women tend to have smaller social networks and less support in older adulthood, therefore navigating retirement and other age‐related adjustments may be more challenging without support resources. The purpose of this paper was to explore how Irish Men's Sheds helped men with the transition to retirement. Interviews with Men's Sheds members aged 65+ (N = 37) were completed in County Limerick, Ireland. Transcripts were analyzed thematically, and two themes were identified: (1) Filling the Void and a subtheme on Continuous Achievement, and (2) Intentional Preparation. Many of the men who were interviewed were unsure how to spend their time before joining the Men's Shed. After participating, they reported enjoying the connections with other men and having something useful to do. Some men specifically sought out a Men's Shed as they approached retirement after seeing their peers struggle with the adjustment. The men perceived Men's Sheds to be beneficial and saw them as a purposeful and productive outlet to engage in. Men without access to community organizations such as Men's Sheds may be at greater risk for loneliness and social isolation in older adulthood. Policies are needed to help prepare men for the psychological transition to retirement and to help organizations such as Men's Sheds remain financially viable.
Ectodermal origin and tissue dedifferentiation in the podocyst production by the polyps of the Asian moon jelly (Aurelia coerulea)
Authors: Ikeda Hideki
Published: June 2024

The histological origin of podocysts in scyphozoans has long been undetermined, with uncertainty whether they arise from mesenchymal amoebocytes or stalk and pedal disc ectoderm in polyps. Histological investigation on the pedal disc was difficult due to the settlement of polyps on hard substrates. In this study, we investigated the histological characteristics of polyps during podocyst production in Asian moon jelly (Aurelia coerulea) with utilizing those attached on thin polystyrene substrates. Fine histological features of the pedal disc became possible after the substrates were decomposed during histological processing. Our findings unequivocally demonstrate that the cell mass of podocysts originates from the ectoderm of the pedal disc and the stalk without the involvement of amoebocytes in the mesoglea. Preceding the podocyst formation, the pedal disc undergoes enlargement facilitated by the elongated stalk ectodermal cells, which attach to a substrate. Subsequently, the pedal disc ectoderm give rise to the primary podocyst cells with accumulating nutrient granules in the cytoplasm and forming the cyst capsule cooperatively with the invaginated pedal disc ectoderm. Direct transformation from the ectodermal cells to podocyst cells suggests that podocyst formation involves tissue dedifferentiation. Throughout the period of podocyst production, the gastrodermis of polyps is physically separated from the ectoderm by the mesoglea and shows no histological changes, and no amoebocytes appear in the mesoglea. These histological properties are totally different from those in other modes of asexual reproduction, which incorporate the endoderm of polyps, suggesting the developmental and evolutionary differences between these asexual reproductions and podocyst production in Scyphozoa.
Impact of neighborhood disadvantage on posttrauma outcomes after sexual assault
Authors: Gaither Rachel , Zandstra Tamsin , Linnstaedt Sarah D. , McLean Samuel A. , Lechner Megan , Bell Kathy , Black Jenny , Buchanan Jennie A. , Ho Jeffrey D. , Platt Melissa A. , Riviello Ralph J. , Beaudoin Francesca L.
Published: June 2024

In the United States, 8,000,000 people seek emergency care for traumatic injury annually. Motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) and sexual assault are two common sources of trauma, with evidence that reduced neighborhood‐level socioeconomic characteristics increase posttraumatic pain and stress after an MVC. We evaluated whether neighborhood disadvantage was also associated with physical and mental posttrauma outcomes after sexual assault in a sample of adult women (N = 656) who presented for emergency care at facilities in the United States following sexual assault and were followed for 1 year. Neighborhood characteristics were assessed via the Area Deprivation Index, and self‐reported pain, anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms were collected at 6 weeks posttrauma. Adjusted log‐binomial regression models examined the association between each clinical outcome and neighborhood disadvantage. Women in more disadvantaged neighborhoods were more likely to be non‐White and have lower annual incomes. At 6 weeks posttrauma, the prevalence of clinically significant pain, anxiety, and depressive symptoms more than doubled from baseline (41.7% vs. 18.8%, 62.4% vs. 23.9%, and 55.2% vs. 22.7%, respectively); 40.7% of women also reported PTSD symptoms. Black, Hispanic, and lower‐income participants were more likely to report pre‐ and postassault pain, anxiety, and depression. After adjusting for race, ethnicity, and income, no significant association existed between neighborhood disadvantage and any outcome, ps = .197 ‐ .859. Although neighborhood disadvantage was not associated with posttrauma outcomes, these findings highlight the need for continued research in diverse populations at high risk of adverse physical and mental health symptoms following sexual assault.
The three axioms of resilience
Authors: Bonanno George A. , Westphal Maren
Published: June 2024

This article summarizes the growing literature on resilience in the face of aversive and potentially traumatic events (PTEs) in three basic axioms: (a) resilience is a common outcome, 2) there are no “key” traits to resilience (resilience is not a type), and (c) resilient outcomes occur through flexible self‐regulation. The first axiom highlights the limitation of a traditional, binary view of trauma in terms of the presence–absence of posttraumatic stress disorder, emphasizing instead the heterogeneity of trauma outcomes. Four prototypical trajectories are reviewed: chronic symptoms; delayed symptoms; recovery; and the most common trajectory, resilience. The second axiom reviews the paradoxical inability of known correlates of resilience to adequately predict resilient outcomes. Resilience is instead described as a multifaceted phenomenon with no singular set of key traits, as various factors contribute to resilient outcomes in complex ways. The third axiom provides an explanation of how resilience can emerge from this complex array by introducing the concept of flexible self‐regulation. The flexibility mindset is described as providing the motivation for flexible responding. The flexibility sequence is described as explaining the mechanisms underlying flexibility in terms of three serial stages: context sensitivity, strategy repertoire, and feedback adjustment. The final section briefly considers clinical implications.
Competing for private investments in public equity in China: The role of corporate philanthropy
Authors: Zhou Jingting , Chang Yuyuan
Published: June 2024

This study examines whether corporate philanthropy improves firms' competitiveness in the market for private investments in public equity (PIPEs). Adopting a Chinese PIPE sample between 2007 and 2019, corporate donations have been observed to increase the likelihood of issuers' PIPE applications being approved by the Chinese Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC). It is also shown that CSRC spends less time reviewing PIPE applications of donating firms. Consistent with the signalling argument, we find that firms with corporate donations may be unlikely to act opportunistically in PIPE issuing. Further, the effect of corporate donations is stronger in competitive industries and large‐scale PIPEs. Finally, short‐run post‐issuance abnormal returns tend to be higher for PIPE issuers with corporate philanthropy. Overall, our findings indicate that corporate philanthropy can serve as a differentiation strategy to compete for PIPEs.
Brook Trout population response to Brown Trout removal by electrofishing in a Wisconsin Driftless Area stream
Authors: Olson Kirk W. , Pechacek Kristina , Benike Heath
Published: June 2024

Objective

Populations of Brook Trout Salvelinus fontinalis have declined across their native range in North America due to a combination of habitat loss, exploitation, and introductions of nonnative salmonids. Brown Trout Salmo trutta have been widely introduced into streams across Brook Trout's native range and likely displace Brook Trout from suitable habitat. We evaluated the population response of Brook Trout to Brown Trout removal in Maple Dale Creek, a Wisconsin Driftless Area stream, relative to a nearby control stream with similar habitat and sympatric Brook Trout and Brown Trout. Variation in mean July stream temperature (11.6–16.4°C) among survey sites also allowed us to examine whether summer stream temperature was related to the population response of Brook Trout to Brown Trout removal.

Methods

Between 2019 and 2023, we completed 33.7 km of single-pass electrofishing during 56 site visits and removed 20,495 Brown Trout from 7.1 km of Maple Dale Creek upstream of an existing fish passage barrier. Concurrently, annual salmonid population estimates were completed on Maple Dale Creek and a nearby reference stream.

Result

By 2023, biomass and density of Brown Trout age 1 and older (age 1+) had decreased to 1% or less of 2019 levels. Concurrently, age-1+ Brook Trout biomass increased by a factor of 5.5 and density by a factor of 9.7. In contrast, age-1+ Brook Trout density and biomass in our control stream remained low and relatively unchanged. Brook Trout population response to Brown Trout removal was positive across all four sites but exhibited a positive correlation to mean July stream temperature.

Conclusion

Our results add to the evidence that Brown Trout displace Brook Trout populations from stream habitat, highlight the utility of electrofishing removal of Brown Trout in restoring Brook Trout populations where downstream fish passage barriers are present, and suggest that Brown Trout suppression of Brook Trout is positively related to summer stream temperature.
3‐D impulse‐based level‐set method for granular flow modeling
Authors: Tan Peng , Wijesuriya Hasitha S. , Sitar Nicholas
Published: June 2024

We explore the viability of modeling dynamic problems with a new formulation of an impulse‐based Level‐Set DEM (LS‐DEM). The new formulation is stable, fast, and energy conservative. However, it can be numerically stiff when the assembly has substantial mass differences between particles. We also demonstrate the feasibility of modeling deformable structures in a rigid body framework and propose several enhancements to improve the convergence of collision resolution, including a hybrid time integration scheme to separately handle at rest contacts and dynamic collisions. Finally, we extend the impulse‐based LS‐DEM to include arbitrarily shaped topographic surfaces and exploit its algorithmic advantages to demonstrate the feasibility of modeling realistic behavior of granular flows. The new formulation significantly improves the performance of dynamic simulations by allowing larger time steps, which is advantageous for observing the full development of physical phenomena such as rock avalanches, which we present as an illustrative example.
A Bayesian method to detect drug‐drug interaction using external information for spontaneous reporting system
Authors: Tada Keisuke , Maruo Kazushi , Gosho Masahiko
Published: June 2024

Due to the insufficiency of safety assessments of clinical trials for drugs, further assessments are required for post‐marketed drugs. In addition to adverse drug reactions (ADRs) induced by one drug, drug‐drug interaction (DDI)‐induced ADR should also be investigated. The spontaneous reporting system (SRS) is a powerful tool for evaluating the safety of drugs continually. In this study, we propose a novel Bayesian method for detecting potential DDIs in a database collected by the SRS. By applying a power prior, the proposed method can borrow information from similar drugs for a drug assessed DDI to increase sensitivity of detection. The proposed method can also adjust the amount of the information borrowed by tuning the parameters in power prior. In the simulation study, we demonstrate the aforementioned increase in sensitivity. Depending on the scenarios, approximately 20 points of sensitivity of the proposed method increase from an existing method to a maximum. We also indicate the possibility of early detection of potential DDIs by the proposed method through analysis of the database shared by the Food and Drug Administration. In conclusion, the proposed method has a higher sensitivity and a novel criterion to detect potential DDIs early, provided similar drugs have similar observed‐expected ratios to the drug under assessment.
Biorthogonal Majorana zero modes, ELC waves and soliton-fermion duality in non-Hermitian sl(2) affine Toda coupled to fermions
Authors: Blas Harold
Published: June 2024

Abstract

We study a non-Hermitian (NH) sl(2) affine Toda model coupled to fermions through soliton theory techniques and the realizations of the pseudo-chiral and pseudo- Hermitian symmetries. The interplay of non-Hermiticity, integrability, nonlinearity, and topology significantly influence the formation and behavior of a continuum of bound state modes (CBM) and extended waves in the localized continuum (ELC). The non-Hermitian soliton-fermion duality, the complex scalar field topological charges and winding numbers in the spectral topology are uncovered. The biorthogonal Majorana zero modes, dual to the NH Toda solitons with topological charges $$ \frac{2}{\pi}\arg \left(z=\pm i\right)=\pm 1 $$

2
π

arg

z
=
±
i

=
±
1
, appear at the complex-energy point gap and are pinned at zero energy. The zero eigenvalue λ(z = ± i) = 0, besides being a zero mode, plays the role of exceptional points (EPs), and each EP separates a real eigenvalue $$ \mathcal{A} $$
A
-symmetric and $$ \mathcal{A} $$
A
-symmetry broken regimes for an antilinear symmetry $$ \mathcal{A}\in \left\{\mathcal{PT},{\gamma}_5\mathcal{PT}\right\} $$
A
∈

PT

γ
5

PT

. Our findings improve the understanding of exotic quantum states, but also paves the way for future research in harnessing non-Hermitian phenomena for topological quantum computation, as well as the exploration of integrability and NH solitons in the theory of topological phases of matter.
On pole-skipping with gauge-invariant variables in holographic axion theories
Authors: Ahn Yongjun , Jahnke Viktor , Jeong Hyun-Sik , Ji Chang-Woo , Kim Keun-Young , Nishida Mitsuhiro
Published: June 2024

Abstract

We study the pole-skipping phenomenon within holographic axion theories, a common framework for studying strongly coupled systems with chemical potential (μ) and momentum relaxation (β). Considering the backreaction characterized by μ and β, we encounter coupled equations of motion for the metric, gauge, and axion field, which are classified into spin-0, spin-1, and spin-2 channels. Employing gauge-invariant variables, we systematically address these equations and explore pole-skipping points within each sector using the near-horizon method. Our analysis reveals two classes of pole-skipping points: regular and singular pole-skipping points in which the latter is identified when standard linear differential equations exhibit singularity. Notably, pole-skipping points in the lower-half plane are regular, while those elsewhere are singular. This suggests that the pole-skipping point in the spin-0 channel, associated with quantum chaos, corresponds to a singular pole-skipping point. Additionally, we observe that the pole-skipping momentum, if purely real or imaginary for μ = β = 0, retains this characteristic for μ ≠ 0 and β ≠ 0.
Constraints on photon mass and dark photon from the Jovian magnetic field
Authors: Yan Shi , Li Lingfeng , Fan JiJi
Published: June 2024

Abstract

The Jovian magnetic field, being the strongest and largest planetary one in the solar system, could offer us new insights into possible microscopic scale new physics, such as a non-zero mass of the Standard Model (SM) photon or a light dark photon kinetically mixing with the SM photon. We employ the immense data set from the latest Juno mission, which provides us unprecedented information about the magnetic field of the gas giant, together with a more rigorous statistical approach compared to the literature, to set strong constraints on the dark photon mass and kinetic mixing parameter, as well as the SM photon mass. The constraint on the dark photon parameters is independent of whether dark photon is (part of) dark matter or not, and serves as the most stringent one in a certain regime of the parameter space.
Switching from eltrombopag to hetrombopag in patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia: a post-hoc analysis of a multicenter, randomized phase III trial
Authors: Mei Heng , Liu Xiaofan , Li Yan , Zhou Hu , Feng Ying , Gao Guangxun , Cheng Peng , Huang Ruibin , Yang Linhua , Hu Jianda , Hou Ming , Yao Yazhou , Liu Li , Wang Yi , Wu Depei , Shen Xuliang , Jin Jie , Luo Jianmin , Zeng Yun , Zhou Xin , Xia Ruixiang , Jiang Zhongxing , Bai Yuansong , Niu Ting , Yang Renchi , Hu Yu
Published: June 2024

While studies have explored the feasibility of switching between various thrombopoietin receptor agonists in treating immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), data on the switching from eltrombopag to hetrombopag remains scarce. This post-hoc analysis of a phase III hetrombopag trial aimed to assess the outcomes of ITP patients who switched from eltrombopag to hetrombopag. In the original phase III trial, patients initially randomized to the placebo group were switched to eltrombopag. Those who completed this 14-week eltrombopag were eligible to switch to a 24-week hetrombopag. Treatment response, defined as a platelet count of ≥ 50 × 109/L, and safety were evaluated before and after the switch. Sixty-three patients who completed the 14-week eltrombopag and switched to hetrombopag were included in this post-hoc analysis. Response rates before and after the switch were 66.7% and 88.9%, respectively. Among those with pre-switching platelet counts below 30 × 109/L, eight out of 12 patients (66.7%) responded, while eight out of nine patients (88.9%) with pre-switching platelet counts between 30 × 109/L and 50 × 109/L responded post-switching. Treatment-related adverse events were observed in 50.8% of patients during eltrombopag treatment and 38.1% during hetrombopag treatment. No severe adverse events were noted during hetrombopag treatment. Switching from eltrombopag to hetrombopag in ITP management appears to be effective and well-tolerated. Notably, hetrombopag yielded high response rates, even among patients who had previously shown limited response to eltrombopag. However, these observations need to be confirmed in future trials.
Impact of lymph node retrieval on prognosis in elderly and non-elderly patients with T3-4/N+ rectal cancer following neoadjuvant therapy: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Liang Baofeng , Xie Sisi , Yu Nong , Xue Xueyi , Zeng Hao , Que Zhipeng , Xu Dongbo , Wang Xiaojie , Lin Shuangming
Published: June 2024

Purpose

The optimal number of lymph nodes to be resected in patients with rectal cancer who undergo radical surgery after neoadjuvant therapy remains controversial. This study evaluated the prognostic variances between elderly and non-elderly patients and determined the ideal number of lymph nodes to be removed in these patients.

Methods

The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) datasets were used to gather information on 7894 patients diagnosed with stage T3-4/N+ rectal cancer who underwent neoadjuvant therapy from 2010 to 2019. Of these patients, 2787 were elderly and 5107 were non-elderly. A total of 152 patients from the Longyan First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University were used for external validation. Overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) were evaluated to determine the optimal quantity of lymph nodes for surgical resection.

Results

The study found significant differences in OS and CSS between elderly and non-elderly patients, both before and after adjustment for confounders (P < 0.001). The removal of 14 lymph nodes may be considered a benchmark for patients with stage T3-4/N+ rectal cancer who undergo radical surgery following neoadjuvant therapy, as this number provides a more accurate foundation for the personalized treatment of rectal cancer. External data validated the differences in OS and CSS and supported the 14 lymph nodes as a new benchmark in these patients.

Conclusion

For patients with T3-4/N+ stage rectal cancer who undergo radical surgery following neoadjuvant therapy, the removal of 14 lymph nodes serves as a cutoff point that distinctly separates patients with a favorable prognosis from those with an unfavorable one.
Changes in oxygen supply–demand balance during induction of general anesthesia: an exploratory study using remimazolam
Authors: Yarimizu Kenya , Onodera Yu , Suzuki Hiroto , Nakane Masaki , Kawamae Kaneyuki
Published: June 2024

Purpose

This study was performed to evaluate the changes in oxygen supply–demand balance during induction of general anesthesia using an indirect calorimeter capable of measuring oxygen consumption (VO2) and carbon dioxide production (VCO2).

Methods

This study included patients scheduled for surgery in whom remimazolam was administered as a general anesthetic. VO2 and VCO2 were measured at different intervals: upon awakening (T1), 15 min after tracheal intubation (T2), and 1 h after T2 (T3). Oxygen delivery (DO2) was calculated simultaneously with these measurements. VO2 was ascertained using an indirect calorimeter and further calculated using vital signs, among other factors. DO2 was derived from cardiac output and arterial blood gas analysis performed with an arterial pressure-based cardiac output measurement system.

Results

VO2, VCO2, and DO2 decreased significantly from T1 to T2 and T3 [VO2/body surface area (BSA) (ml/min/m2): T1, 130 (122–146); T2, 107 (83–139); T3, 97 (93–121); p = 0.011], [VCO2/BSA (ml/min/m2): T1, 115 (105–129); T2, 90 (71–107); T3, 81 (69–101); p = 0.011], [DO2/BSA (ml/min/m2): T1, 467 (395–582); T2, 347 (286–392); T3, 382 (238–414); p = 0.0020]. Among the study subjects, a subset exhibited minimal reduction in VCO2. Although the respiratory frequency was titrated on the basis of end-tidal CO2 levels, there was no significant difference between the groups.

Conclusion

General anesthetic induction with remimazolam decreased VO2, VCO2, and DO2.
Breathing new life into tissue engineering: exploring cutting-edge vascularization strategies for skin substitutes
Authors: Iqbal M. Zohaib , Riaz Mahrukh , Biedermann Thomas , Klar Agnes S.
Published: June 2024

Tissue-engineered skin substitutes (TESS) emerged as a new therapeutic option to improve skin transplantation. However, establishing an adequate and rapid vascularization in TESS is a critical factor for their clinical application and successful engraftment in patients. Therefore, several methods have been applied to improve the vascularization of skin substitutes including (i) modifying the structural and physicochemical properties of dermal scaffolds; (ii) activating biological scaffolds with growth factor-releasing systems or gene vectors; and (iii) developing prevascularized skin substitutes by loading scaffolds with capillary-forming cells. This review provides a detailed overview of the most recent and important developments in the vascularization strategies for skin substitutes. On the one hand, we present cell-based approaches using stem cells, microvascular fragments, adipose tissue derived stromal vascular fraction, endothelial cells derived from blood and skin as well as other pro-angiogenic stimulation methods. On the other hand, we discuss how distinct 3D bioprinting techniques and microfluidics, miRNA manipulation, cell sheet engineering and photosynthetic scaffolds like GelMA, can enhance skin vascularization for clinical applications. Finally, we summarize and discuss the challenges and prospects of the currently available vascularization techniques that may serve as a steppingstone to a mainstream application of skin tissue engineering.

Graphical abstract
Hierarchical spatial network models for road accident risk assessment
Authors: Clemente Gian Paolo , Della Corte Francesco , Zappa Diego
Published: June 2024

This paper addresses the critical issue of road safety and accident prevention by integrating road features, network theory, and advanced statistical models. It emphasises the importance of understanding the relationship between road infrastructure and accident risk, which impacts on various administrative stakeholders and on citizens’ safety. While existing literature focuses on road features and engineering solutions, this paper highlights the need to consider implicit spatial constraints as well. Our study builds on prior research by proposing a novel approach that merges conditional autoregressive modelling with a two-stage mixed Geographically weighted Poisson regression. This integrated methodology allows us to consider both the effect of risk factors at a global level and at a local road level. By leveraging the strengths of these two methods, we aim to capture both overarching trends and local variations of risk factors, thereby offering a comprehensive understanding of accident risk factors. Using data from the Open Street Map database, which covers the wide province of Milan in Italy, our models identify influential street characteristics, providing valuable insights for informed decision-making regarding road safety measures. Our method can be applied to any region in the world. The paper describes the models used, the dataset employed, and presents a detailed numerical analysis demonstrating the effectiveness of the approach in identifying and understanding accident risk factors within road networks. This information can help guide investments for the benefit of society.