bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Formulation in Surfactant Systems: From-Winsor-to-HLDN
Authors: Salager Jean-Louis , Marquez Ronald , Bullon Johnny , Forgiarini Ana
Published: April 2022

Formulation is an ancient concept, although the word has been used only recently. The first formulations made our civilization advance by inventing bronze, steel, and gunpowder; then, it was used in medieval alchemy. When chemistry became a science and with the golden age of organic synthesis, the second formulation period began. This made it possible to create new chemical species and new combinations “à la carte.” However, the research and developments were still carried out by trial and error. Finally, the third period of formulation history began after World War II, when the properties of a system were associated with its ingredients and the way they were assembled or combined. Therefore, the formulation and the systems’ phenomenology were related to the generation of some synergy to obtain a commercial product. Winsor’s formulation studies in the 1950s were enlightening for academy and industries that were studying empirically surfactant-oil-water (SOW) systems. One of its key characteristics was how the interfacial interaction of the adsorbed surfactant with oil and water phases could be equal by varying the physicochemical formulation of the system. Then, Hansen’s solubility parameter in the 1960s helped to reach a further understanding of the affinity of some substances to make them suitable to oil and water phases. In the 1970s, researchers such as Shinoda and Kunieda, and different groups working in Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR), among them Schechter and Wade’s group at the University of Texas, made formulation become a science by using semiempirical correlations to attain specific characteristics in a system (e.g., low oil-water interfacial tension, formulation of a stable O/W or W/O emulsion, or high-performance solubilization in a bicontinuous microemulsion system at the so-called optimum formulation). Nowadays, over 40 years of studies with the hydrophilic-lipophilic deviation equation (HLD) have made it feasible for formulators to improve products in many different applications using surfactants to attain a target system using HLD in its original or its normalized form, i.e., HLDN. Thus, it can be said that there is still current progress being made towards an interdisciplinary applied science with numerical guidelines. In the present work, the state-of-the-art of formulation in multiphase systems containing two immiscible phases like oil and water, and therefore systems with heterogeneous or micro-heterogeneous interfaces, is discussed. Surfactants, from simple to complex or polymeric, are generally present in such systems to solve a wide variety of problems in many areas. Some significant cases are presented here as examples dealing with petroleum, foods, pharmaceutics, cosmetics, detergency, and other products occurring as dispersions, emulsions, or foams that we find in our everyday lives.
The Complete Nucleotide Sequence and Gene Organization of the Mitochondrial Genome of Triatoma boliviana (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae) and Phylogenetic Comparisons
Authors: Pita Sebastián , Mora Pablo , Rojas-Cortez Mirko , Palomeque Teresa , Lorite Pedro , Panzera Francisco
Published: April 2022

The complete mitogenome of Triatoma boliviana Martínez, Chávez, Sossa, Aranda, Vargas and Vidaurre, 2007 was assembled using next generation sequencing data. The 16,719 bp long genome contains 13 protein coding genes, 22 transfer RNAs, two ribosomal RNAs, and a control region. This mitogenome showed similar nucleotide composition, gene order and orientation than other triatomines. Molecular phylogenetic analyses based on available complete mitogenomes from Reduviidae supported that Triatominae is a monophyletic group and that T. boliviana is basal to the two main Triatomini clades: North and South American. In addition, the analysis of a fragment of the 16S mitochondrial gene among Triatomini species, including species of the dispar lineage, supports the inclusion of T. boliviana in this group.
Systematic Approach to Agroforestry Policies and Practices in Asia
Authors: Park Mi Sun , Baral Himlal , Shin Seongmin
Published: April 2022

This paper introduces the Special Issue “Systematic Approach to Agroforestry Policies and Practices in Asia”. This Special Issue contains eleven papers on agroforestry at national, regional, and global levels. These papers discuss research trends; dominant services and functions of agroforestry; multiple case studies from Asian countries including Nepal, Lao PDR, Indonesia, Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Timor-Leste; and the benefits of agroforestry including income generation and carbon sequestration. They also interpret the goals, challenges, and social and cultural norms in agroforestry policies in national and local contexts. The research results can support policy design for the systematization and stabilization of agroforestry. This Special Issue provides us with scientific evidence and practical lessons on agroforestry policies and practices in Asia. It contributes to expanding the knowledge base for agroforestry and towards establishing and implementing agroforestry policies and practices in the region.
Dynamic Response and Damage Regularity of Sandstone with Different Moisture States under Cyclic Loading
Authors: Chu Fujiao , Liu Dunwen , Zhang Xiaojun , Yu Hui , Zhu Guangli
Published: April 2022

In the process of geotechnical engineering excavation, wet and water-filled rock masses are inevitable. To obtain the mechanical properties of these rocks, indoor tests are required, and most of the rock tests rock tests are dry or nearly dry. They cannot really reflect the true nature of the rock, let alone its nature under a dynamic load. The rock was repeatedly impacted during the blasting excavation process. To determine the mechanical response characteristics and damage evolution of rocks with different moisture states under cyclic dynamic loads, rock samples with three saturation levels were prepared. In the experiment, the Hopkinson pressure bar equipment was utilized to perform five cycles of impact with the same incident energy, and the dynamic response of rocks with different impact times was recorded. Nuclear magnetic resonance technology was employed to obtain the change law of the pores of rock specimens after impact, and the cumulative damage rules of rock were combined with the fractal theory. From the experiments, it can be observed that the stress-strain curves of all rock samples are similar, in that they all have stress addition and unloading stages. The peak stress is proportional to the impact time and moisture content, whereas the opposite is true for the peak strain. After the impact, the small and large pores closed and increased, respectively. The porosity and porosity change rate increased with an increase in the impact time. With an increase in moisture content, this trend is more obvious. It can be observed via magnetic resonance imaging that the internal fractures of the water-bearing rock are obvious after multiple impacts. In particular, the saturated rock specimens exhibited severe damage. Fractal analysis of the NMR figures revealed that after three impact times, the fractal dimension change in the water-bearing rock samples was not obvious. This phenomenon indicated that a macro gap appeared. The fractal dimensions of the dry rock samples continued to increase, and the internal damage was less obvious.
Direct and Indirect Costs Related to Physical Activity Levels in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus in Spain: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Sarria-Santamera Antonio , Alexeyeva Zhanna , Yen Chan Mei , Ortega Miguel A. , Asunsolo-del-Barco Angel , Navarro-García Carlos
Published: April 2022

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a global public health concern. DM is importantly linked to the modern lifestyle. Lifestyle-based interventions currently represent a critical preventive and therapeutic approach for patients with DM. Increasing physical activity has proven multiple benefits to prevent this condition; however, there is still room for further progress in this field, especially in terms of the effect of exercise in patients with already established DM. This study intends to examine the economic relationship between physical activity and direct/indirect costs in patients with DM. We analyze a national representative sample (n = 1496) of the general population of Spain, using available data from the National Health Survey of 2017 (NHS 2017). Our results show that 63.7% of the sample engaged in some degree of physical activity, being more frequent in men (67.5%), younger individuals (80.0%), and those with higher educational levels (69.7%). Conversely, lower levels of physical activity were associated with female sex, older subjects, and various comorbidities. Our study estimates that 2151 € per (51% in direct costs) patient may be saved if a minimum level of physical activity is implemented, primarily, due to a decrease in indirect costs (absenteeism and presenteeism). This study shows that physical activity will bring notable savings in terms of direct and indirect costs in patients with DM, particularly in some vulnerable groups.
Use of Computed Tomography Pulmonary Angiography in Emergency Departments: A Literature Review
Authors: Thurlow Lauren E. , Van Dam Pieter J. , Prior Sarah J. , Tran Viet
Published: April 2022

Computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) has become the most widely used technique for diagnosis or exclusion of a pulmonary embolism (PE). It has been suggested that overuse of this imaging type may be prevalent, especially in emergency departments (EDs). The purpose of this literature review was to explore the use of CTPAs in EDs worldwide. A review following PRISMA guidelines was completed, with research published between September 2010 and August 2020 included. Five key topics emerged: use of CTPAs; explanations for overuse; use of D-dimer; variability in ordering practices between clinicians; and strategies to reduce overuse. This review found that CTPAs continue to be overused in EDs, leading to superfluous risks to patients. Published studies identify that while clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) have a strong effect on reducing unnecessary CTPAs with no significantly increased risk of missed diagnosis, the adoption of these tools by ED clinicians has remained low. This literature review highlights the need for further research into why CTPAs continue to be overused within EDs and why clinicians are hesitant to use CPGs in the clinical setting. Moreover, investigations into other potential strategies that may combat the overuse of this diagnostic tool are essential to reduce potential harm.
Growth Characteristics of Lettuce Relative to Generation Position of Air Anions in a Closed-Type Plant Factory
Authors: Won Jin-Ho , Cho Byeong-Hyo , Kim Yong-Hyeon , Lee Jung-Hyun
Published: April 2022

(1) Background: We studied how the generation position of air anions in a closed-type plant factory affects the growth characteristics of lettuce and identified the optimal position. (2) Methods: We used LEDs (red/green/blue = 8:1:1) as a light source and set the temperature and RH of the plant factory to 20 ± 2 ℃ and 50% ± 5%, respectively. We grew lettuce under three air anion conditions—sideward, upward, and downward—and compared the growth characteristics to those of a control grown without air anions. We measured the growth characteristics of the lettuce at 3 and 4 weeks after sowing, and the measurement items were shoot fresh weight (FW) and dry weight (DW); leaf area (LA), length (LL), and width (LW); SPAD; antioxidant capacity; and total phenol content. (3) Results: At 4 weeks, FW in the downward treatment condition was 25.3% higher than in the control, and DW showed a similar difference. LA was about 1943.94 cm²/plant in the downward treatment condition, which was about 15.5% higher than in the control. (4) Conclusions: We conclude that air anion generation has a positive effect on lettuce growth, and the optimal generation position for air anions is downward.
Anthocyanin Accumulation and Differential Expression of the Biosynthetic Genes Result in a Discrepancy in the Red Color of Herbaceous Peony (Paeonia lactiflora Pall.) Flowers
Authors: Wu Yanqing , Hao Zhaojun , Tang Yuhan , Zhao Daqiu
Published: April 2022

Herbaceous peony (Paeonia lactiflora Pall.) is an ornamental plant with huge potential in the international flower market. Similar to the flowers of most other ornamental plants, the top sellers of P. lactiflora are those with red or pink flowers. However, most studies on flower colors have focused on the novel colors and have neglected the most common red flowers. In this study, a red cultivar of P. lactiflora (‘Dafugui’) and a pink cultivar (‘Qingwen’) were selected in order to study the discrepancy in the red color of the flowers. The results demonstrate that these two cultivars have the same compositions as anthocyanins, flavones, and flavonols but different contents. ‘Dafugui’ was found to have a high accumulation of upstream substances due to the higher expression of the early genes encoding phenylalanine ammonialyase (PlPAL) and flavonoid 3′-hydroxylase (PlF3′H). Moreover, the anthocyanidin synthase gene (PlANS) and UDP-glucose flavonoid 3-O-glucosyltransferase gene (PlUF3GT) encoding enzymes catalyze these upstream substances into anthocyanins, resulting in more redness in ‘Dafugui’ than in ‘Qingwen’. Our study thus provides a better understanding of the anthocyanin accumulation and coloring mechanism of P. lactiflora and can serve as a theoretical basis for breeding more red flowers using genetic engineering techniques to cater to consumers’ preferences.
Effects of Mixed-Gender Competition: Choking under Pressure in a Dynamic Tournament
Authors: Min Jungwon
Published: April 2022

In sports, there has been a recent and active movement to promote mixed-gender competitions for achieving gender equality in the field. However, the current debate regarding its effects limitedly focuses on balancing the number of opportunities for females and neglects its effect on athlete performance. To address this gap, this study investigated whether and how mixed-gender competitions mitigate gender-specific disadvantages of interim leaders in dynamic tournaments from the perspective of choking under pressure. Using data from 127 international segregated-gender single and mixed-gender pair figure skating competitions organized by the International Staking Union from 1 July 2006 to 30 June 2018, this study showed that female interim leaders in segregated-gender competitions are more likely to make mistakes in task executions under pressure-inducing circumstances than male interim leaders. However, in mixed-gender competitions, all of these gender-specific influences disappear. The findings contribute to the literature on mixed-gender competitions by providing new evidence on the positive impact of them, as well as expanding the literature on the impact of gender on competitive pressure.
Transcription Factors in Cancer
Authors: Wilanowski Tomasz , Dworkin Sebastian
Published: April 2022

This Special Issue comprises three original studies and five review articles [...]
Revisiting the Role of Astrocytic MAOB in Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Nam Min-Ho , Sa Moonsun , Ju Yeon Ha , Park Mingu Gordon , Lee C. Justin
Published: April 2022

Monoamine oxidase-B (MAOB) has been believed to mediate the degradation of monoamine neurotransmitters such as dopamine. However, this traditional belief has been challenged by demonstrating that it is not MAOB but MAOA which mediates dopamine degradation. Instead, MAOB mediates the aberrant synthesis of GABA and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in reactive astrocytes of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Astrocytic GABA tonically suppresses the dopaminergic neuronal activity, whereas H2O2 aggravates astrocytic reactivity and dopaminergic neuronal death. Recently discovered reversible MAOB inhibitors reduce reactive astrogliosis and restore dopaminergic neuronal activity to alleviate PD symptoms in rodents. In this perspective, we redefine the role of MAOB for the aberrant suppression and deterioration of dopaminergic neurons through excessive GABA and H2O2 synthesis of reactive astrocytes in PD.
Metabolic Alteration Analysis of Steroid Hormones in Niemann–Pick Disease Type C Model Cell Using Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Abe Ai , Maekawa Masamitsu , Sato Toshihiro , Sato Yu , Kumondai Masaki , Takahashi Hayato , Kikuchi Masafumi , Higaki Katsumi , Ogura Jiro , Mano Nariyasu
Published: April 2022

Niemann–Pick disease type C (NPC) is an autosomal recessive disease caused by a functional deficiency of cholesterol-transporting proteins in lysosomes, and exhibits various clinical symptoms. Since mitochondrial dysfunction in NPC has recently been reported, cholesterol catabolism to steroid hormones may consequently be impaired. In this study, we developed a comprehensive steroid hormone analysis method using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) and applied it to analyze changes in steroid hormone concentrations in NPC model cells. We investigated the analytical conditions for simultaneous LC–MS/MS analysis, which could be readily separated from each other and showed good reproducibility. The NPC phenotype was verified as an NPC model with mitochondrial abnormalities using filipin staining and organelle morphology observations. Steroid hormones in the cell suspension and cell culture medium were also analyzed. Steroid hormone analysis indicated that the levels of six steroid hormones were significantly decreased in the NPC model cell and culture medium compared to those in the wild-type cell and culture medium. These results indicate that some steroid hormones change during NPC pathophysiology and this change is accompanied by mitochondrial abnormalities.
The Structural and the Functional Aspects of Intercellular Communication in iPSC-Cardiomyocytes
Authors: Kiss Eva , Fischer Carolin , Sauter Jan-Mischa , Sun Jinmeng , Ullrich Nina D.
Published: April 2022

Recent advances in the technology of producing novel cardiomyocytes from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC-cardiomyocytes) fuel new hope for future clinical applications. The use of iPSC-cardiomyocytes is particularly promising for the therapy of cardiac diseases such as myocardial infarction, where these cells could replace scar tissue and restore the functionality of the heart. Despite successful cardiogenic differentiation, medical applications of iPSC-cardiomyocytes are currently limited by their pronounced immature structural and functional phenotype. This review focuses on gap junction function in iPSC-cardiomyocytes and portrays our current understanding around the structural and the functional limitations of intercellular coupling and viable cardiac graft formation involving these novel cardiac muscle cells. We further highlight the role of the gap junction protein connexin 43 as a potential target for improving cell–cell communication and electrical signal propagation across cardiac tissue engineered from iPSC-cardiomyocytes. Better insight into the mechanisms that promote functional intercellular coupling is the foundation that will allow the development of novel strategies to combat the immaturity of iPSC-cardiomyocytes and pave the way toward cardiac tissue regeneration.
AcidoCEST-UTE MRI Reveals an Acidic Microenvironment in Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors: Lombardi Alecio , Ma Yajun , Jang Hyungseok , Jerban Saeed , Tang Qingbo , Searleman Adam , Meyer Robert , Du Jiang , Chang Eric
Published: April 2022

A relationship between an acidic pH in the joints, osteoarthritis (OA), and pain has been previously demonstrated. Acidosis Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer (acidoCEST) indirectly measures the extracellular pH through the assessment of the exchange of protons between amide groups on iodinated contrast agents and bulk water. It is possible to estimate the extracellular pH in the osteoarthritic joint using acidoCEST MRI. However, conventional MR sequences cannot image deep layers of cartilage, meniscus, ligaments, and other musculoskeletal tissues that present with short echo time and fast signal decay. Ultrashort echo time (UTE) MRI, on the other hand, has been used successfully to image those joint tissues. Here, our goal is to compare the pH measured in the knee joints of volunteers without OA and patients with severe OA using acidoCEST-UTE MRI. Patients without knee OA and patients with severe OA were examined using acidoCEST-UTE MRI and the mean pH of cartilage, meniscus, and fluid was calculated. Additionally, the relationship between the pH measurements and the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) was investigated. AcidoCEST-UTE MRI can detect significant differences in the pH of knee cartilage, meniscus, and fluid between joints without and with OA, with OA showing lower pH values. In addition, symptoms and knee-joint function become worse at lower pH measurements.
Global Metabolites Reprogramming Induced by Spermine Contributing to Salt Tolerance in Creeping Bentgrass
Authors: Li Zhou , Cheng Bizhen , Liu Wei , Feng Guangyan , Zhao Junming , Zhang Liquan , Peng Yan
Published: April 2022

Soil salinization has become a serious challenge to modern agriculture worldwide. The purpose of the study was to reveal salt tolerance induced by spermine (Spm) associated with alterations in water and redox homeostasis, photosynthetic performance, and global metabolites reprogramming based on analyses of physiological responses and metabolomics in creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera). Plants pretreated with or without 0.5 mM Spm were subjected to salt stress induced by NaCl for 25 days in controlled growth chambers. Results showed that a prolonged period of salt stress caused a great deal of sodium (Na) accumulation, water loss, photoinhibition, and oxidative damage to plants. However, exogenous application of Spm significantly improved endogenous spermidine (Spd) and Spm contents, followed by significant enhancement of osmotic adjustment (OA), photosynthesis, and antioxidant capacity in leaves under salt stress. The Spm inhibited salt-induced Na accumulation but did not affect potassium (K) content. The analysis of metabolomics demonstrated that the Spm increased intermediate metabolites of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) shunt (GABA, glutamic acid, and alanine) and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle (aconitic acid) under salt stress. In addition, the Spm also up-regulated the accumulation of multiple amino acids (glutamine, valine, isoleucine, methionine, serine, lysine, tyrosine, phenylalanine, and tryptophan), sugars (mannose, fructose, sucrose-6-phosphate, tagatose, and cellobiose), organic acid (gallic acid), and other metabolites (glycerol) in response to salt stress. These metabolites played important roles in OA, energy metabolism, signal transduction, and antioxidant defense under salt stress. More importantly, the Spm enhanced GABA shunt and the TCA cycle for energy supply in leaves. Current findings provide new evidence about the regulatory roles of the Spm in alleviating salt damage to plants associated with global metabolites reprogramming and metabolic homeostasis.
Brivaracetam and Levetiracetam Suppress Astroglial L-Glutamate Release through Hemichannel via Inhibition of Synaptic Vesicle Protein
Authors: Fukuyama Kouji , Okada Motohiro
Published: April 2022

To explore the pathophysiological mechanisms of antiseizure and adverse behavioural/psychiatric effects of brivaracetam and levetiracetam, in the present study, we determined the effects of brivaracetam and levetiracetam on astroglial L-glutamate release induced by artificial high-frequency oscillation (HFO) bursts using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography. Additionally, the effects of brivaracetam and levetiracetam on protein expressions of connexin43 (Cx43) and synaptic vesicle protein 2A (SV2A) in the plasma membrane of primary cultured rat astrocytes were determined using a capillary immunoblotting system. Acutely artificial fast-ripple HFO (500 Hz) burst stimulation use-dependently increased L-glutamate release through Cx43-containing hemichannels without affecting the expression of Cx43 or SV2A in the plasma membrane, whereas acute physiological ripple HFO (200 Hz) stimulation did not affect astroglial L-glutamate release or expression of Cx43 or SV2A. Contrarily, subchronic ripple HFO and acute pathological fast-ripple HFO (500 Hz) stimulations use-dependently increased L-glutamate release through Cx43-containing hemichannels and Cx43 expression in the plasma membrane. Subchronic fast-ripple HFO-evoked stimulation produced ectopic expression of SV2A in the plasma membrane, but subchronic ripple HFO stimulation did not generate ectopic SV2A. Subchronic administration of brivaracetam and levetiracetam concentration-dependently suppressed fast-ripple HFO-induced astroglial L-glutamate release and expression of Cx43 and SV2A in the plasma membrane. In contrast, subchronic ripple HFO-evoked stimulation induced astroglial L-glutamate release, and Cx43 expression in the plasma membrane was inhibited by subchronic levetiracetam administration, but was not affected by brivaracetam. These results suggest that brivaracetam and levetiracetam inhibit epileptogenic fast-ripple HFO-induced activated astroglial transmission associated with hemichannels. In contrast, the inhibitory effect of therapeutic-relevant concentrations of levetiracetam on physiological ripple HFO-induced astroglial responses probably contributes to the adverse behavioural/psychiatric effects of levetiracetam.
A Review of Numerical Models for Slab-Asphalt Track Railways
Authors: Atalan Mucahit , Prendergast Luke J. , Grizi Athina , Thom Nick
Published: April 2022

Higher train speeds and heavier axle loads trigger elevated stresses and vibrations in the track, potentially increasing track deterioration rates and maintenance costs. Alternative track forms made of combinations of reinforced concrete and asphalt layers have been developed. A thorough understanding of the slab and asphalt tracks is needed to investigate track performance. Thus, analytical and numerical models have been developed and validated by many researchers. This paper reviews numerical models developed to investigate railway track performance. The synthesis of major finite element models is described in detail, highlighting the main components and their outputs. For slab track models, the use of a structural asphalt layer within the railway track remains an active research topic and firm conclusions on its efficacy are not yet available. It can be expected that slab track structures will also be affected by train-induced ground vibrations. There is thus a gap in the literature regarding the measurement of dynamic effects on high-speed railway lines, and further research is needed to investigate the dynamic behaviour of slab–asphalt track systems. In this review, novel solutions for mitigating the vibrations in high-speed rail are discussed and compared. The use of asphalt material in railways appears to have beneficial effects, such as increasing the bearing capacity and stiffness of the structure and improving its dynamic performance and responses, particularly under high-speed train loads.
Supramolecular Frameworks and a Luminescent Coordination Polymer from New β-Diketone/Tetrazole Ligands
Authors: Blasi Delia , Mercandelli Pierluigi , Carlucci Lucia
Published: April 2022

Mixed multidentate linkers with donor groups of different types can be fruitfully exploited in the self-assembly of coordination polymers (CPs) and Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs). In this work we develop new ligands containing a β-diketone chelating functionality, to better control the stereochemistry at the metal center, and tetrazolyl multidentate bridging groups, a combination not yet explored for networking with metal ions. The new ligands, 1,3-bis(4-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)phenyl)-1,3-propanedione (H3L1) and 1-phenyl-3-(4-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)phenyl)-1,3-propanedione (H2L2), are synthesized from the corresponding nitrile precursors by [2+3] dipolar cycloaddition of azide under metal-free catalytic conditions. Crystal structure analysis evidences the involvement of tetrazolyl fragments in multiple hydrogen bonding giving 2D and 1D supramolecular frameworks. Reactivity of the new ligands with different metal salts indicates good coordinating ability, and we report the preparation and structural characterization of the tris–chelate complex [Fe(HL1)3]3− (1) and the homometallic 2D CP [ZnL2(DMSO)] (2). In compound 1 only the diketonate donor is used, whereas the partially deprotonated tetrazolyl groups are involved in hydrogen bonding, giving rise to a 2D supramolecular framework of (6,3)IIa topological type. In compound 2 the ligand is completely deprotonated and uses both the diketonate donor (chelating) and the tetrazolate fragment (bridging) to coordinate the Zn(II) ions. The resulting neutral 2D network of sql topology shows luminescence in the solid state, which is red shifted with respect to the free ligand. Interestingly, it can be easily exfoliated in water to give a luminescent colloidal solution.
Clinical Safety of Expanded Hemodialysis Compared with Hemodialysis Using High-Flux Dialyzer during a Three-Year Cohort
Authors: Cho Nam-Jun , Jeong Seung-Hyun , Lee Ka Young , Yu Jin Young , Park Samel , Lee Eun Young , Gil Hyo-Wook
Published: April 2022

Expanded hemodialysis (HD) equipped with a medium cut-off (MCO) membrane provides superior removal of larger middle molecules. However, there is still little research on the long-term benefits of expanded HD. Over a three-year period, this observational study evaluated the efficacy and safety profile of expanded HD for inflammatory cytokines, including IL-6. We conducted a prospective cohort study to investigate the inflammatory cytokine changes and a retrospective observational cohort study to investigate long-term clinical efficacy and safety over a three-year period. We categorized the patients according to dialyzer used: MCO and high-flux (HF) dialyzer. The inflammatory cytokines, including IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, were measured annually. The concentrations and changes of the four cytokines over time did not differ between the HF group (n = 15) and MCO group (n = 27). In both prospective and retrospective (HF group, n = 38; MCO group, n = 76) cohorts, there were no significant differences in either death, cardiovascular events, infections, or hospitalizations. Furthermore, the temporal changes in laboratory values, including serum albumin and erythropoietin prescriptions, did not differ significantly between the two groups in either the prospective or retrospective cohorts. In conclusion, clinical efficacy and safety outcomes, as well as inflammatory cytokines, did not differ with expanded HD compared with HF dialysis during a three-year treatment course, although the level of inflammatory cytokine was stable.
Classification of Chemotherapy-Related Subjective Cognitive Complaints in Breast Cancer Using Brain Functional Connectivity and Activity: A Machine Learning Analysis
Authors: Wang Lei , Zhu Yanyan , Wu Lin , Zhuang Ying , Zeng Jinsheng , Zhou Fuqing
Published: April 2022

The aim of this study was combining multi-level resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) features with machine learning method to distinguish breast cancer patients with chemotherapy-related subjective cognitive complaints (SCC) from non-chemotherapy (BC) and healthy controls (HC). Forty subjects in SCC group, forty-nine in BC group and thirty-four in HC group were recruited and underwent rs-fMRI scanning. Based on the anatomical automatic labeling brain atlas, the functional metrics of all subjects included functional connectivity, amplitude of low frequency fluctuation and fractional amplitude of low frequency fluctuation, regional homogeneity, voxel-mirrored homotopic connectivity and degree centrality were calculated and extracted as features set. Then, the rs-fMRI features were selected by two-sample t-test, removing variables with a high pairwise correlation and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression. Finally, the support vector machine models were built for classification (SCC vs. BC, SCC vs. HC). Thirty-eight features (SCC vs. BC) and seventeen features (SCC vs. HC) were selected separately, and the accuracy of the models were 82.0% and 91.9%, respectively. These findings demonstrated a valid machine learning approach that effectively distinguished breast cancer patients with chemotherapy-related SCC from non-chemotherapy and healthy controls, providing potential neuroimaging evidence for early diagnosis and clinical intervention of chemotherapy-related SCC.
Clinical Progression of Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease Is Rare in a Danish Tertiary Liver Center
Authors: Laursen Tea Lund , Kjær Mikkel Breinholt , Kristensen Louise , Grønbæk Henning
Published: April 2022

Data concerning non-invasive discrimination of simple steatosis from steatohepatitis in metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and risk of disease progression in patients with MAFLD are conflicting. We aimed to investigate these factors in an MAFLD cohort at a Danish tertiary liver centre. We retrospectively assessed 129 patients with biopsy-proven MAFLD. Patients were divided according to the presence of simple steatosis or steatohepatitis in liver biopsies. Histological and clinical progression were assessed during follow-up. Patients with steatohepatitis had higher BMIs, liver stiffness, HbA1c and soluble (sCD163) and were more prone to have metabolic syndrome at baseline compared with simple steatosis patients. Of the 129 patients, 31 had a follow-up biopsy after a median of 287 days; simple steatosis progressed to steatohepatitis in 7 cases, while 2 regressed. Twenty patients had the same fibrosis stage according to the follow-up biopsy, seven progressed and four regressed. Only 14 patients progressed clinically (median follow-up time was 3.8 years). Clinical progression was associated with female sex, high creatinine, high sCD163 and disease severity in the diagnostic liver biopsy. Steatohepatitis was associated with metabolic and inflammatory parameters including fibroscan. Disease progression was seen in only 11% of cases and was mainly related to more severe histological disease at baseline.
Graph Coloring via Locally-Active Memristor Oscillatory Networks
Authors: Ascoli Alon , Weiher Martin , Herzig Melanie , Slesazeck Stefan , Mikolajick Thomas , Tetzlaff Ronald
Published: April 2022

This manuscript provides a comprehensive tutorial on the operating principles of a bio-inspired Cellular Nonlinear Network, leveraging the local activity of NbOx memristors to apply a spike-based computing paradigm, which is expected to deliver such a separation between the steady-state phases of its capacitively-coupled oscillators, relative to a reference cell, as to unveal the classification of the nodes of the associated graphs into the least number of groups, according to the rules of a non-deterministic polynomial-hard combinatorial optimization problem, known as vertex coloring. Besides providing the theoretical foundations of the bio-inspired signal-processing paradigm, implemented by the proposed Memristor Oscillatory Network, and presenting pedagogical examples, illustrating how the phase dynamics of the memristive computing engine enables to solve the graph coloring problem, the paper further presents strategies to compensate for an imbalance in the number of couplings per oscillator, to counteract the intrinsic variability observed in the electrical behaviours of memristor samples from the same batch, and to prevent the impasse appearing when the array attains a steady-state corresponding to a local minimum of the optimization goal. The proposed Memristor Cellular Nonlinear Network, endowed with ad hoc circuitry for the implementation of these control strategies, is found to classify the vertices of a wide set of graphs in a number of color groups lower than the cardinality of the set of colors identified by traditional either software or hardware competitor systems. Given that, under nominal operating conditions, a biological system, such as the brain, is naturally capable to optimise energy consumption in problem-solving activities, the capability of locally-active memristor nanotechnologies to enable the circuit implementation of bio-inspired signal processing paradigms is expected to pave the way toward electronics with higher time and energy efficiency than state-of-the-art purely-CMOS hardware.
Histological Profiling of the Human Umbilical Cord: A Potential Alternative Cell Source in Tissue Engineering
Authors: Blanco-Elices Cristina , Chato-Astrain Jesús , González-González Alberto , Sánchez-Porras David , Carriel Víctor , Fernández-Valadés Ricardo , Sánchez-Quevedo María del Carmen , Alaminos Miguel , Garzón Ingrid
Published: April 2022

The embryonic development of the human umbilical cord (hUC) is complex, and different regions can be identified in this structure. The aim of this work is to characterize the hUC at in situ and ex vivo levels to stablish their potential use in vascular regeneration. Human umbilical cords were obtained and histologically prepared for in the situ analysis of four hUC regions (intervascular—IV, perivascular—PV, subaminoblastic—SAM, and Wharton’s jelly—WH), and primary cell cultures of mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSC) isolated from each region were obtained. The results confirmed the heterogeneity of the hUC, with the IV and PV zones tending to show the higher in situ expression of several components of the extracellular matrix (collagens, proteoglycans, and glycosaminoglycans), vimentin, and MSC markers (especially CD73), although isolation and ex vivo culture resulted in a homogeneous cell profile. Three vascular markers were positive in situ, especially vWF, followed by CD34 and CD31, and isolation and culture revealed that the region associated with the highest expression of vascular markers was IV, followed by PV. These results confirm the heterogeneity of the hUC and the need for selecting cells from specific regions of the hUC for particular applications in tissue engineering.
Numerical Assessment of the Risk of Abnormal Endothelialization for Diverter Devices: Clinical Data Driven Numerical Study
Authors: Tikhvinskii Denis , Kuianova Julia , Kislitsin Dmitrii , Orlov Kirill , Gorbatykh Anton , Parshin Daniil
Published: April 2022

Numerical modeling is an effective tool for preoperative planning. The present work is devoted to a retrospective analysis of neurosurgical treatments for the occlusion of cerebral aneurysms using flow-diverters and hemodynamic factors affecting stent endothelization. Several different geometric approaches have been considered for virtual flow-diverters deployment. A comparative analysis of hemodynamic parameters as a result of computational modeling has been carried out basing on the four clinical cases: one successful treatment, one with no occlusion and two with in stent stenosis. For the first time, a quantitative assessment of both: the limiting magnitude of shear stresses that are necessary for the occurrence of in stent stenosis (MaxWSS > 1.23) and for conditions in which endothelialization is insufficiently active and occlusion of the cervical part of the aneurysm does not occur (MaxWSS < 1.68)—has been statistacally proven (p < 0.01).
Goal Setting, Personality Traits, and the Role of Insurers and Other Service Providers for Swiss Millennials and Generation Z
Authors: Pugnetti Carlo , Henriques Pedro , Moser Ulrich
Published: April 2022

Service providers are developing more sophisticated offerings, and it is important for them to understand the demographics and specific context by which individuals might procure their services. This allows companies to stay relevant to their customers. The target of this paper is to investigate the types of goals Millennials and Generation Z individuals are pursuing and what role different service providers may play in supporting these endeavors, with the aim of providing actionable insights for insurers. Furthermore, it is to investigate how personality traits may relate to differences in individuals’ preferences. The study is based on a survey of 854 Swiss university students. The results indicate that goals are concentrated in a few categories, and educational institutions and healthcare providers are well-positioned to support goal achievement. Insurers, on the other hand, rank low among the preferences, and their profile is largely undifferentiated. This result indicates that insurers need to further focus their efforts to gain relevance among younger customers. Supporting goals relating to self-fulfillment and ability for high-conscientious and/or low-honest/humble customers by focusing on risk education and risk management seems a particularly interesting strategy for insurers.
Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems: Themes of Public Perception—A Case Study
Authors: Thodesen Bridget , Time Berit , Kvande Tore
Published: April 2022

Climate adaptation measures address the challenges that densification and climate change impose on the urban environment. Sustainable urban drainage system (SUDS) constructs include the introduction of natural elements, such as riparian buffers, vegetative filters, rain beds, water spills, watermark filters, retainers and dams, and are an integral part of these climate adaptation measures. SUDS are commonly undertaken at a municipal level in Norway but, unfortunately, the implementation of SUDS projects has lagged behind expectation. Norway is a normative and egalitarian society, where public resistance to local projects is a factor in the delayed adoption of SUDS. That is why a greater understanding of public perceptions and priorities is needed to build consensus and support for these climate adaptation measures. This research looked at the Blaklibekken SUDS case study in Trondheim, Norway. A cross-section of interviews with the municipality and users was undertaken to establish themes within local perceptions of the project. Themes of environmental benefit, child-related activities, maintenance of the site and funding were established to provide a better understanding of public expectations and what aspects of the project correlated with public acceptance or resistance. This work provides a starting point for further research to establish public ‘themes of interest’ that can provide decision makers greater insight into public priorities.
Machine Learning Techniques for Estimating Hydraulic Properties of the Topsoil across the Zambezi River Basin
Authors: Kalumba Mulenga , Nyirenda Edwin , Nyambe Imasiku , Dondeyne Stefaan , Van Orshoven Jos
Published: April 2022

It is critical to produce more crop per drop in an environment where water availability is decreasing and competition for water is increasing. In order to build such agricultural production systems, well parameterized crop growth models are essential. While in most crop growth modeling research, focus is on gathering model inputs such as climate data, less emphasis is paid to collecting the critical soil hydraulic properties (SHPs) data needed to operate crop growth models. Collection of SHPs data for the Zambezi River Basin (ZRB) is extremely labor-intensive and expensive, thus alternate technologies such as digital soil mapping (DSM) must be explored. We evaluated five types of DSM models to establish the best spatially explicit estimates of the soil water content at pF0.0 (saturation), pF2.0 (field capacity), and pF4.2 (wilting point), and of the saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) across the ZRB by using estimates of locally calibrated pedotransfer functions of 1481 locations for training and testing the DSM models, as well as a reference dataset of measurements from 174 locations for validating the DSM models. We produced coverages of environmental covariates from various source datasets, including climate variables, soil and land use maps, parent materials and lithologic units, derivatives of a digital elevation model (DEM), and Landsat imagery with a spatial resolution of 90 m. The five types of models included multiple linear regression and four machine learning techniques: artificial neural network, gradient boosted regression trees, random forest, and support vector machine. Where the residuals of the initial DSM models were spatially autocorrelated, the models were extended/complemented with residual kriging (RK). Spatial autocorrelation in the model residuals was observed for all five models of each of the three water contents, but not for Ksat. On average for the water content, the R2 ranged from 0.40 to 0.80 in training and test datasets before adding kriged model residuals and ranged from 0.80 to 0.95 after adding model residuals. Overall, the best prediction method consisted of random forest as the deterministic model, complemented with RK, whereby soil texture followed by climate and topographic elevation variables were the most important covariates. The resulting maps are a ready-to-use resource for hydrologists and crop modelers to aliment and calibrate their hydrological and crop growth models.
The Effect of Language Contact on /tʃ/ Deaffrication in Spanish from the US–Mexico Borderland
Authors: Mazzaro Natalia
Published: April 2022

This study examines the sociophonetic variation in the L1 speech of Spanish–English bilingual speakers living in the Ciudad Juárez, Mexico–El Paso, TX border metropolis. The purpose of this research is to analyze the sociolinguistic production of /ʧ/ deaffrication in U.S. Spanish, particularly, in simultaneous and sequential bilinguals. Based on the Revised Speech Learning Model (SLM-r), it was hypothesized that L1 production of /ʧ/ deaffrication can be significantly affected by the establishment of a new L2 phonetic category /ʃ/ in bilinguals. Interviews with forty-four adult participants, including fourteen first generation simultaneous bilinguals, twelve sequential bilinguals, and eighteen monolingual Spanish speakers were acoustically and auditorily analyzed. Participants were recorded while they performed two types of tasks: a formal (reading) and two semi-informal speech production tasks. Results showed that simultaneous and sequential bilinguals had a significantly lower realization of [ʃ] than monolinguals, suggesting that L1 sociolinguistic variability is influenced by contact with English. Results also indicate the significance of the preceding segment on the realization of the variable under study in monolingual speech, with preceding /a, n, r, l/ favoring the variation and preceding /s, e, i, o, u/ disfavoring it. Comparisons of the variation in monolingual and bilingual speech show that the sociolinguistic factors (preceding segment, sex, and age) that influence the variation in monolingual controls do not influence the variation in bilingual speech.
Therapeutic Strategies and Potential Actions of Female Sex Steroid Hormones and Their Receptors in Colon Cancer Based on Preclinical Studies
Authors: Mahbub Amani A.
Published: April 2022

Several epidemiological studies have reported that the use of female sex steroid hormones could reduce the risk of colon cancer (CRC). This review summarizes the available data related to estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) single and dual treatments in CRC male and female in vitro and in vivo models, mainly from preclinical studies, alongside their potential molecular mechanisms. Most of the studies showed that E2 exogenous treatment and/or reactivation of its beta receptor (ERβ) significantly inhibited cell proliferation, induced cell cycle arrest, and promoted apoptosis by modulating several molecular pathways. Likewise, the inhibition of ERα receptors produced similar antitumorigenic actions, both in vivo and in vitro, suggesting that E2 could have dual opposing roles in CRC that are dependent on the expression profile of its nuclear receptors. The available studies on P4 are scarce, and the results revealed that in vitro and in vivo treatments with natural and synthetic progesterone were also associated with promising tumoricidal actions. Nevertheless, the combination of E2 with P4 showed enhanced anticancer activities compared with their monotherapy protocols in male–female cell lines and animals. Collectively, the studies suggested that the female sex steroid hormones could provide a novel and effective therapeutic strategy against CRC.