bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synergistic Effect of Boron Nitride and Carbon Domains in Boron Carbide Nitride Nanotube Supported Single‐Atom Catalysts for Efficient Nitrogen Fixation
Authors: Liu Tianyong , Dang Qian , Zhou Xunhui , Li Jin , Ge Zhen , Che Hang , Tang Shaobin , Luo Yi , Jiang Jun
Published: February 2021

Developing the low‐cost and efficient single‐atom catalysts (SACs) for nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) is of great importance while remains as a great challenge. The catalytic activity, selectivity and durability are all fundamentally related to the elaborate coordination environment of SACs. Using first‐principles calculations, we investigated the SACs with single transition metal (TM) atom supported on defective boron carbide nitride nanotubes (BCNTs) as NRR electrocatalysts. Our results suggest that boron‐vacancy defects on BCNTs can strongly immobilize TM atoms with large enough binding energy and high thermal/structural stability. Importantly, the synergistic effect of boron nitride (BN) and carbon domains comes up with the modifications of the charge polarization of single‐TM‐atom active site and the electronic properties of material, which has been proven to be the essential key to promote N2 adsorption, activation, and reduction. Specifically, six SACs (namely V, Mn, Fe, Mo, Ru, and W atoms embedded into defective BCNTs) can be used as promising candidates for NRR electrocatalysts as their NRR activity is higher than the state‐of‐the art Ru(0001) catalyst. In particular, single Mo atom supported on defective BCNTs with large tube diameter possesses the highest NRR activity while suppressing the competitive hydrogen evolution reaction, with a low limiting potential of −0.62 V via associative distal path. This work suggests new opportunities for driving NH3 production by carbon‐based single‐atom electrocatalysts under ambient conditions.
Probing Multiconfigurational States by Spectroscopy: The Cerium XAS L3‐edge Puzzle
Authors: Sergentu Dumitru‐Claudiu , Booth Corwin H. , Autschbach Jochen
Published: February 2021

The Ce L3 edge XAS spectra of CeO2 and cerocene [Ce(C8H8)2] were calculated with relativistic ab‐initio multireference wavefunction approaches capable of reproducing the observed spectra accurately. The study aims to resolve the decades‐long puzzle regarding the relationship between the number and relative intensities of the XAS peaks and the 4f electron occupation in the ground state (GS) versus the core‐excited states (ESs). CeO2 and cerocene exemplify the different roles of covalent bonding and wavefunction configurational composition in the observed intensity patterns. Good agreement is found between the calculated GS 4f‐shell occupations and the value derived from XAS measurements using peak areas (nf). The identity of the two‐peaked Ce L3 edge is fully rationalized from the perspective of the relaxed wavefunctions for the GS and core ESs. The states underlying the different peaks differ from each other in a surprisingly simple way that can be associated with 4f1 vs. 4f0 sub‐configurations. Furthermore, part of one of the cerocene spectral peaks is associated with 4f2 sub‐configurations. The pattern therefore reveals excited states that can be interpreted in terms of Ce IV and III oxidation numbers, as long assumed, with Ce II states additionally appearing in the cerocene spectrum. While this work demonstrates the rough accuracy of the conventional approach to determining nf from Ce L3‐edge XAS, limitations are highlighted in terms of the ultimate accuracy of this approach and the potential of observing new types of excited states. The need to determine the sources of nf by calculations, is stressed.
Epidemiology of adult congenital heart disease among the general population in Kuwait
Authors: Ashkanani Hasan , Mohiyaldeen Idrees , ElShenawy Hazem , Alanbaei Muath
Published: February 2021

Background

Adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) is a highly underrepresented entity in medical literature, especially in the middle‐eastern region.

Hypothesis

This study is the first to assess the prevalence of adult congenital heart disease among the population of Kuwait.

Methods

After a retrospective register review of patients in Kuwait being followed up in the chest diseases hospital was conducted, patients who fit the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study. Using the American College of Cardiology Task Force 1 of the 32nd Bethesda conference classification of the severity of ACHD, the patients were classified into those with simple, moderate, and complex congenital heart diseases. The age and gender of the patients, as well as the type repair performed, and the residual cardiac findings were recorded to assess the association between the complexity and residuals. Associations were assessed using STATA 15.

Results

A total of 611 patients were evaluated over a period of 18 months. The youngest participant was 20 years of age, and the oldest participant was 88 years old. Male participants with moderate congenital heart disease class were more common in our study population. Patients with complex congenital heart disease have more residual cardiac lesion than the moderate or simple groups. Almost (70%) of patients with complex cardiac anomalies have undergone either partial or complete repair. The most prevalent cardiac defect was atrial septal defect (21.5%). Tetralogy of Fallot was the most prevalent defect in the moderate group, representing (13%) of the group. The most prevalent anomaly in the complex group was double outlet right ventricle (DORV) representing (15.38%).

Conclusion

Adult Congenital heart disease is a growing entity of heart disease due to advanced repair techniques. This population requires registries to document cases and assign specialists for the management and care of this special group of patients.

Highlights

First database of adult congenital heart disease in Kuwait.

The most prevalent heart defect was ASD in Kuwait.

TOF was the most prevalent defect in the moderate group; and DORV was the most prevalent in the complex group.

Patients with moderate ACHD tended to have a more complete repair than those in the complex group.
Preoperative chemotherapy for sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma (SNSCC): Time to move closer to a definitive answer
Authors: Saba Nabil F.
Published: February 2021

Although results from this retrospective series suggest that preoperative chemotherapy may offer a benefit to organ preservation in sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma, prospective data are needed to confirm these observations.
Deep learning of breast papillary lesions
Authors: Vielh Philippe
Published: February 2021

A comprehensive cytologic study of a large series of papillary lesions of the breast suggests a combination of new features to distinguish benign neoplasms from malignant ones.
An energy‐efficient clustering and cross‐layer‐based opportunistic routing protocol (CORP) for wireless sensor network
Authors: Shanmugam Ramalingam , Kaliaperumal Baskaran
Published: February 2021

Energy‐efficient data collection is a significant research challenge in wireless sensor networks (WSNs). One of the essential approaches to improve WSN performance is clustering, routing, and denoising technique. Cluster head (CH) selection is an essential issue in WSN. The present work proposes cross‐layer‐based opportunistic routing protocol (CORP) for WSN. The proposed CORP approach has been used to find an optimal traversal path, which reduces computation time and energy consumption as well as improves data delivery reliability. For optimal clustering, K‐medoid with adaptive Harris hawk optimization algorithm (AHHO) has been utilized for clustering the sensor nodes. Quality of service (QoS) impact, energy status criteria, distance, and sensor nodes position have been considered as key factors. These factors can influence the selection of CH in WSN. Moreover, the CH selection method can minimize traffic and energy saving. For efficient data collection, a hybrid Variable Weighted stacked Autoencoder with adaptive sunflower optimization (VWAE‐ASFO) denoising technique has been intended for reducing the data error rate. Initially, in the data collection phase, the variable weighted stacked autoencoder senses the data and collects all the data from the network. Adaptive sunflower optimization algorithm (ASFO) updates the weight of VWAE to minimize the data error and model complexity. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed CORP approach enhances QoS performance metrics such as energy consumption, packet delivery ratio, packet delay, network lifetime, throughput, jitter, buffer occupancy, and packet loss ratio. When the performance of the proposed approach is compared with the existing algorithms such as HEED, TCBDGA, FRLDG, MOBFO‐EER, and FEEC‐IIR, the proposed approach outperforms them.
The comparison of the histopathological results of the thyroid fine‐needle aspiration biopsies in the 795 patients with thyroidectomy
Authors: Yildirim Emine , Akbas Pelin , Erdogan Kivilcim Orhun , Bektas Sibel , Gumuskaya Perihan Ozkan , Er Ahmet Muzaffer , Paltura Ceki
Published: February 2021

Background

We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of preoperative fine‐needle aspiration biopsies (FNAB) by the postthyroidectomy pathology results.

Method

Seven hundred and ninety‐five patients with FNAB and following thyroid operations which have been performed between April 2008 and December 2019 were included in this study. By comparing the results of the FNAB and final pathologies, the specificity, sensitivity, FNR, false positivity ratio (FPR), accuracy and also the effect of nodule diameter on these have been evaluated. In Bethesda III subgroup according to FNAB, we investigated the malignancy rates and in whom this risk has been increased more.

Results

In our study, the sensitivity of FNAB is 73.40%, the specificity is 95.33%, the accuracy is 91.81%, FNR is 26.60% and FPR is 4.67%. In the patients with nodules ≥4 cm and < 4 cm respectively, we calculated the sensitivity 20.0% vs 79.76%, specificity 95.73% vs 95.19%, accuracy 89.82% vs 92.78%, FNR 80.0% vs 20.24%, FPR 4.27% vs 4.8%.

Conclusion

Thyroid FNAB is an easy procedure with a high specificity and sensitivity. Nevertheless, when the nodule diameter was ≥4 cm, increased FNR and decreased sensitivity should be kept in mind while evaluating the patients.
Soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibitor trifluoromethoxyphenyl‐3‐(1‐propionylpiperidin‐4‐yl)urea prevents hyperalgesia through regulating NLRC4 inflammasome‐related pro‐inflammatory and anti‐inflammatory signaling pathways in the lipopolysaccharide‐induced pain mouse model
Authors: Cagli Ali , Senol Sefika Pinar , Temiz‐Resitoglu Meryem , Guden Demet Sinem , Sari Ayse Nihal , Sahan‐Firat Seyhan , Tunctan Bahar
Published: February 2021

Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) have anti‐inflammatory effects and soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) inhibition might be a useful therapeutic approach to manage inflammatory disorders. The purpose of the study was to investigate whether nucleotide‐binding and oligomerization domain‐like receptor (NLR) C4 inflammasome‐related pro‐inflammatory and anti‐inflammatory signaling pathways in the central nervous system (CNS) participates in the effect of trifluoromethoxyphenyl‐3‐(1‐propionylpiperidin‐4‐yl)urea (TPPU), a potent sEH inhibitor, to prevent hyperalgesia in the LPS‐induced pain mouse model. The latency of pain within 30 s was measured by the hot plate test in male mice injected with saline, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (10 mg/kg), and/or TPPU (0.3, 0.5, or 1 mg/kg) after 6 h. Hyperalgesia induced by LPS was associated with decreased 14,15‐dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acid and interleukin (IL)‐1β levels and enhanced expression of NLRC4, apoptosis‐associated speck‐like protein containing a caspase activation and recruitment domain (ASC), caspase‐1 p20, IL‐1β, and caspase‐11 p20 in the brains and spinal cords of the animals. Besides the increased expression of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase (NOX) subunits (gp91phox and p47phox) and nitrotyrosine, a decrease in NLRC3, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and neuronal NOS (nNOS) expression was also observed in the tissues of LPS‐treated mice. TPPU at 0.5 mg/kg dose prevented the changes induced by LPS. Likely, decreased activity of pro‐inflammatory NLRC4/ASC/pro‐caspase‐1 and caspase‐11 inflammasomes and NOX in addition to enhanced levels of anti‐inflammatory EETs and expression of NLRC3, iNOS, and nNOS in the CNS of mice participates in the protective effect of TPPU against LPS‐induced hyperalgesia.
Taking the heat out of British Jurassic septarian concretions
Authors: Paxton Richmal B. , Dennis Paul F. , Marca Alina D. , Hendry James P. , Hudson John D. , Andrews Julian E.
Published: February 2021

Septarian carbonate concretions in marine mudrocks contain calcite cements that should represent evolving conditions from ambient temperature, shallow subsurface environments to warmer, burial diagenetic conditions. Clumped isotope results from British Middle and Upper Jurassic concretions indicate that most concretion body calcites formed at temperatures between 9 ± 5°C and 18 ± 5°C from marine pore waters with δ18O values between 0.2 ± 1.1‰ and −2.2 ± 1.1‰VSMOW. Early diagenetic, brown, fibrous calcite fracture cements mostly formed at temperatures between 15 ± 5°C and 19 ± 5°C, again from marine‐derived pore fluids with δ18O compositions between −0.5 ± 1.1‰ and 0.3 ± 1.2‰VSMOW. Two of these cements showed evolution to warmer temperatures and more evolved pore fluids with growth, indicating transition to deeper burial conditions. Later diagenetic, sparry calcite cements gave more variable temperatures but all indicated involvement of meteoric pore fluids. The highest clumped isotope temperature (43 ± 6°C) is within error of the 50°C regional maximum burial temperature estimate. These results are consistent with published geological and stable isotope constraints on the formation of Jurassic septarian concretions and highlight their potential as robust archives of marine benthic palaeotemperatures. Some of these results differ from clumped isotope data in an earlier study that reported higher temperatures for concretion body and early diagenetic fibrous cement fringes probably due to methodological differences.
Evaluating population connectivity and targeting conservation action for an endangered cat
Authors: Lehnen Sarah E. , Sternberg Mitch A. , Swarts Hilary M. , Sesnie Steven E.
Published: February 2021

Dispersal of animals among populations helps to increase genetic variability and population viability. The endangered ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) in south Texas persists in two small populations separated by 30 km and cutoff from populations in northeastern Mexico. Despite the relatively short distance separating the two south Texas populations, movement between them has been limited, leading researchers to believe landscape connectivity is poor in the region. We developed habitat suitability maps using remote sensing and GPS‐collared ocelots and ran connectivity analyses to assess current habitat linkages, important areas for conservation, and areas where connectivity could be improved through habitat restoration. First, we developed a resource selection function using random forest models and GPS data from ten ocelots collared at Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge combined with spatial layers derived from LiDAR and remotely sensed imagery. We then used these results as the basis for a cost surface layer. Using this layer, we examined habitat connectivity using least‐cost and circuit theory methods. We evaluated linkages by cost of movement, identified areas important for maintaining existing connectivity, and ranked areas where restoration would have the greatest benefit to connectivity. We found that core habitats within the two populations were relatively well connected but connectivity between the two populations was poor. By identifying areas currently important for connectivity and areas with the greatest benefit to ocelots if restored, these results will help inform land acquisition and restoration planning to improve ocelot conservation in south Texas.
An omnivorous mesopredator modifies predation of omnivore‐dispersed seeds
Authors: Bartel Savannah L. , Orrock John L.
Published: February 2021

Post‐dispersal seed predation is an important determinant of plant recruitment. Although many plant species are dispersed following consumption by omnivorous vertebrates, the potential for these dispersal agents to indirectly affect seed fate by modifying seed predator behavior is poorly understood. We evaluated the hypothesis that the scat of an omnivorous vertebrate (coyote,Canis latrans), which is also a rodent predator, would reduce seed predation by rodent granivores. We also hypothesized that scat would lead to increased removal by arthropod seed predators by providing a resource that attracts ants and other arthropods. We examined the role of omnivore deposition on seed predation of two animal‐dispersed species that differed in size: LargerPrunus serotinaseeds are attacked only by rodents, whereas smallerRubus allegheniensisseeds are attacked by arthropods and rodents. Using an experiment that manipulated the presence of coyote scat and access by different granivore guilds, we found that scat reduced the total number of seeds removed from full‐access depots by 12%, but it increased the total number of seeds removed from arthropod‐only depots by 43%. Rodent removal ofP. serotinaseeds was 21% lower in the presence of scat. Scat composition was also important in affecting rodent seed predation, with seed predation 50% lower in the presence of meat‐rich scat compared with mixed or fruit‐rich scat. Arthropod removal ofR. allegheniensisseeds was 43% higher in the presence of scat.Prunus serotinaseeds were generally removed at greater rates thanR. allegheniensisseeds in full‐access trays; however, scat reduced this difference in removal rates from 37% moreP. serotinaseeds removed to 18% moreP. serotinaseeds removed. These findings illuminate a new pathway through which omnivores may influence plant populations by modifying post‐dispersal seed predation by arthropods and rodents. Moreover, our results indicate that the ultimate effect of vertebrate omnivores on seed survival in a given region may depend upon omnivore diet, dominant seed predator guilds, and differences in granivore seed preference.
Characteristics and prognostic value of right ventricular (dys)function in patients with non‐ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy assessed with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Becker Marthe A.J. , van der Lingen Anne‐Lotte C.J. , Wubben Marc , van de Ven Peter M. , van Rossum Albert C. , Cornel Jan H. , Allaart Cornelis P. , Germans Tjeerd
Published: February 2021

Aims

In non‐ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), concomitant right ventricular (RV) dysfunction is frequently observed. This study sought to determine the correlation of RV dysfunction with several cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging characteristics in patients with DCM, and the prognostic value of RV dysfunction on all‐cause mortality and ventricular arrhythmias (VA) was evaluated.

Methods and results

Consecutive patients with DCM and left ventricular (LV) dysfunction (ejection fraction < 50%) on CMR were included retrospectively. Left atrial (LA), LV, and RV volumes and function were quantified. RV systolic dysfunction was defined as RVEF<45%. The presence and pattern of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) on CMR were assessed visually. Septal midwall LGE was defined as midmyocardial stripe‐like or patchy hyperenhancement in the septal segments, and the extent was quantified using the full width at half maximum method. Primary endpoint was a composite of all‐cause mortality and VA, including resuscitated cardiac arrest, sustained VA, and appropriate implantable cardioverter defibrillator therapy. Secondary endpoints were time to all‐cause mortality alone and time to VA alone. A total of 216 DCM patients were included (42% female, age 58 ± 14 years). Mean RVEF was 46 ± 12%, and RV dysfunction was present in 38%. RVEF was moderately correlated with LA dilation (LA minimal volume ρ = −0.38, P < 0.001) and strongly correlated with LA and LV dysfunction (LA emptying fraction r = 0.58, P < 0.001 and LVEF ρ = 0.52, P < 0.001). Septal midwall LGE was more often observed in patients with RV dysfunction compared with patients with preserved RV function (respectively 40% vs. 26%, P = 0.04). No correlation was found between RVEF and the extent of septal midwall LGE (ρ = −0.12, P = 0.34). During a median follow‐up of 2.2 years [IQR 1.6–2.8], 30 patients experienced the primary endpoint. RV dysfunction was significantly associated with shorter time to the composite primary endpoint (HR 3.19 [95% CI 1.49–6.84], P < 0.01) and to the secondary endpoint of VA alone (HR 6.48 [95% CI 1.83–22.98], P < 0.01). There was a trend towards increased mortality when RV dysfunction was present (HR 2.54 [95% CI 0.99–6.57], P = 0.05).

Conclusions

Right ventricular dysfunction was predominantly observed in patients with DCM with advanced heart failure and pronounced myocardial remodelling, defined as increased LV and LA dilation and dysfunction and the presence of septal midwall LGE on CMR. During follow‐up, RV dysfunction was associated with shorter time to all‐cause mortality and ventricular arrhythmic events.
The effect of experimental pain on the excitability of the corticospinal tract in humans: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Rohel Antoine , Bouffard Jason , Patricio Philippe , Mavromatis Nicolas , Billot Maxime , Roy Jean‐Sébastien , Bouyer Laurent , Mercier Catherine , Masse‐Alarie Hugo
Published: February 2021

Background and objective

Pain influences motor control. Previous reviews observed that pain reduces the excitability of corticospinal projections to muscles tested with transcranial magnetic stimulation. However, the independent effect of the type of pain models (tonic, phasic), pain location and tissues targeted (e.g. muscle, skin) remains unexplored. The objective of this review was to determine the influence of experimental pain and of different methodological factors on the corticospinal excitability.

Databases and data treatment

Three electronic databases were searched: Embase, Pubmed and Web of Science. Meta‐analyses were conducted in three consecutive steps to reduce methodological variability: (a) all studies; (b) same pain location; (c) same tissues, pain location and muscle state. Strength of evidence was assessed for each analysis performed.

Results

Forty studies were included in the review and 26 in the meta‐analysis as it focused only on studies using tonic pain. Overall, there was conflicting/moderate evidence of a diminution of corticospinal excitability during and after tonic pain. When considering only pain location, tonic hand and face pain induced a reduction in corticospinal excitability (limited evidence). Both muscle and cutaneous hand pain reduced corticospinal excitability (limited/conflicting evidence). Similar results were observed for phasic pain (limited evidence).

Conclusions

Our results confirm the inhibitory effect of pain on corticospinal excitability for both tonic and phasic pain. This reduction was specific to hand and face pain. Also, both cutaneous and muscle hand pain reduced excitability. The strength of evidence remains limited/conflicting. More high‐quality studies are needed to confirm our conclusions.

Significance

This study adds evidence on the effect of specific factors on the modulation of corticospinal excitability during/after experimental pain. The reduction in corticospinal excitability was driven by hand and face pain. We confirmed previous results that muscle pain reduces corticospinal excitability and provided evidence of a similar effect for cutaneous pain. Both models may inform on the influence of different types of pain on motor control. Future studies are needed to determine the origin of the effect of pain.
A new method for heat integration between nonrepeatable batches
Authors: Anastasovski Aleksandar
Published: February 2021

Heat storage is an important part for heat integration between nonrepeatable batches. This article suggests a new approach in the design of heat storage exchange network for heat integration between nonrepeatable batches. This approach is built on the TRANSSHIPMENT method. The main idea is reusing the waste heat from stream segments that are designed to exchange heat with utilities. These extracted stream segments are added to every upcoming time slice as new energy streams. The possible heat exchange between extracted segments and existing streams in every Time Slice is based on the suggested algorithm which includes the main rules of the Pinch technology. All possible matches are potential heat storage units or subsystems. The efficiency of heat recovery increases if the schedule of nonrepeatable batches is repeated every day. That makes a great impact on the production costs. Otherwise, as it is in the given case study, the waste heat reduction is small and cannot support the investment for the solution. The reduction of hot utility in the presented case study is 43.5% and the reduction of cold utility is 12.1% in the start‐up period of the plant (58.94 hours).
Not so clonal asexuals: Unraveling the secret sex life ofArtemia parthenogenetica
Authors: Boyer Loreleï , Jabbour-Zahab Roula , Mosna Marta , Haag Christoph R. , Lenormand Thomas
Published: February 2021

The maintenance of sex is paradoxical as sexual species pay the “twofold cost of males” and should thus quickly be replaced by asexual mutants reproducing clonally. However, asexuals may not be strictly clonal and engage in “cryptic sex,” challenging this simple scenario. We study the cryptic sex life of the brine shrimp Artemia parthenogenetica, which has once been termed an “ancient asexual” and where no genetic differences have ever been observed between parents and offspring. This asexual species rarely produces males, which can hybridize with sexual females of closely related species and transmit asexuality to their offspring. Using such hybrids, we show that recombination occurs in asexual lineages, causing loss-of-heterozygosity and parent-offspring differences. These differences cannot generally be observed in field-sampled asexuals because once heterozygosity is lost, subsequent recombination leaves no footprint. Furthermore, using extensive paternity tests, we show that hybrid females can reproduce both sexually and asexually, and transmit asexuality to both sexually and asexually produced offspring in a dominant fashion. Finally, we show that, contrary to previous reports, field-sampled asexual females also rarely reproduce sexually (rate ∼2‰). Overall, most previously known facts about Artemia asexuality turned out to be erroneous. More generally, our findings suggest that the evidence for strictly clonal reproduction of asexual species needs to be reconsidered, and that rare sex and consequences of nonclonal asexuality, such as gene flow within asexuals, need to be more widely taken into account in more realistic models for the maintenance of sex and the persistence of asexual lineages.
Closing the Broadband Digital Divide: The Role of Utility‐Owned Fiber
Authors: Tong Calvin , Zimmerman Daniel , McClanahan Jim
Published: February 2021

Digital redlining, defined as inequitable digital access for marginalized customer groups, is a reality in broadband. In a deregulated competitive market, internet service providers (ISPs) and carriers will deploy broadband in those areas promising the greatest potential market share and revenue. As a result, some areas, particularly rural or low‐income urban neighborhoods, are prone to be underserved, becoming “broadband deserts,” or areas with limited or no access to affordable broadband internet services. These areas are characterized as unserved (with coverage falling below 25/3 Mbps1) or underserved (with coverage falling below 100/20 Mbps) by broadband providers due to the area's unfavorable costs to deploy and build infrastructure relative to the predicted “take‐rates” (number of consumers that would subscribe for service), average revenues per subscriber, and associated returns on investment.
Building Performance and Climate
Authors: de Ramos Kevin Monte
Published: February 2021

In a report published by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE), Steven Nadel and Adam Hinge state “To meet long‐term climate goals, substantial energy savings and greenhouse gas emissions reductions must be obtained from existing buildings.”1 This realization has led several municipalities across the globe to explore mandatory building performance standards. Although some of these initiatives have focused on single family homes, the primary focus has been on the performance of complex systems used in commercial, institutional, and multiunit residential buildings. Nadel and Hinge estimate that building performance standards would reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by an average of 30 percent from current levels simply by lowering their energy requirements.
Effect of air pollution on health care expenditure: Evidence from respiratory diseases
Authors: Liu Ya‐Ming , Ao Chon‐Kit
Published: February 2021

Recent reports show that at least 95% of the world's population is breathing polluted air. However, the impact of air quality on air pollution‐related medical expenditure and utilization is sparse. This study estimates the short‐term health care cost impacts of air pollution using a meteorological phenomenon—thermal inversion—as an instrumental variable for air quality. Using information on outpatient care for respiratory diseases from universal health insurance claim data in Taiwan during 2006–2012, our estimates suggest that a one‐unit reduction in the air quality index (AQI) leads to NT$2.3 billion (nearly US$74 million) of savings in respiratory‐related outpatient expenditure per year. Given that the average AQI is equal to 32 during our study period, completely removing air pollution would reduce the national health expenditure by approximately 8% annually. Our results provide the important implication that the cost of controlling air pollutant emissions can be offset by curtailing health care expenditure.
High Mobility Group Box 1 Release by Cholangiocytes Governs Biliary Atresia Pathogenesis and Correlates With Increases in Afflicted Infants
Authors: Mohanty Sujit K. , Donnelly Bryan , Temple Haley , Ortiz‐Perez Ana , Mowery Sarah , Lobeck Inna , Dupree Phylicia , Poling Holly M. , McNeal Monica , Mourya Reena , Jenkins Todd , Bansal Ruchi , Bezerra Jorge , Tiao Greg
Published: February 2021

Background and Aims

Biliary atresia (BA) is a devastating cholangiopathy of infancy. Upon diagnosis, surgical reconstruction by Kasai hepatoportoenterostomy (HPE) restores biliary drainage in a subset of patients, but most patients develop fibrosis and progress to end‐stage liver disease requiring liver transplantation for survival. In the murine model of BA, rhesus rotavirus (RRV) infection of newborn pups results in a cholangiopathy paralleling that of human BA. High‐mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is an important member of the danger‐associated molecular patterns capable of mediating inflammation during infection‐associated responses. In this study, we investigated the role of HMGB1 in BA pathogenesis.

Approach and Results

In cholangiocytes, RRV induced the expression and release of HMGB1 through the p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase signaling pathway, and inhibition of p38 blocked HMGB1 release. Treatment of cholangiocytes with ethyl pyruvate suppressed the release of HMGB1. Administration of glycyrrhizin in vivo decreased symptoms and increased survival in the murine model of BA. HMGB1 levels were measured in serum obtained from infants with BA enrolled in the PROBE and START studies conducted by the Childhood Liver Disease Research Network. High HMGB1 levels were found in a subset of patients at the time of HPE. These patients had higher bilirubin levels 3 months post‐HPE and a lower survival of their native liver at 2 years.

Conclusions

These results suggest that HMGB1 plays a role in virus induced BA pathogenesis and could be a target for therapeutic interventions in a subset of patients with BA and high HMGB1.
Arginine Methylation of Hepatic hnRNP H Suppresses Complement Activation and Systemic Inflammation in Alcohol-Fed Mice
Authors: Schonfeld Michael , Villar Maria T. , Artigues Antonio , Weinman Steven A. , Tikhanovich Irina
Published: February 2021

Protein arginine methyl transferase 1 (PRMT1) is the main enzyme for cellular arginine methylation. It regulates many aspects of liver biology including inflammation, lipid metabolism, and proliferation. Previously we identified that PRMT1 is necessary for protection from alcohol-induced liver injury. However, many PRMT1 targets in the liver after alcohol exposure are not yet identified. We studied the changes in the PRMT1-dependent arginine methylated proteome after alcohol feeding in mouse liver using mass spectrometry. We found that arginine methylation of the RNA-binding protein (heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein [hnRNP]) H1 is mediated by PRMT1 and is altered in alcohol-fed mice. PRMT1-dependent methylation suppressed hnRNP H1 binding to several messenger RNAs of complement pathway including complement component C3. We found that PRMT1-dependent hnRNP H methylation suppressed complement component expression in vitro, and phosphorylation is required for this function of PRMT1. In agreement with that finding, hepatocyte-specific PRMT1 knockout mice had an increase in complement component expression in the liver. Excessive complement expression in alcohol-fed PRMT1 knockout mice resulted in further complement activation and an increase in serum C3a and C5a levels, which correlated with inflammation in multiple organs including lung and adipose tissue. Using specific inhibitors to block C3aR and C5aR receptors, we were able to prevent lung and adipose tissue inflammation without affecting inflammation in the liver or liver injury. Conclusion: Taken together, these data suggest that PRMT1-dependent suppression of complement production in the liver is necessary for prevention of systemic inflammation in alcohol-fed mice. C3a and C5a play a role in this liver–lung and liver–adipose interaction in alcohol-fed mice deficient in liver arginine methylation.
Evolving Up‐regulation of Biliary Fibrosis–Related Extracellular Matrix Molecules After Successful Portoenterostomy
Authors: Kyrönlahti Antti , Godbole Nimish , Akinrinade Oyediran , Soini Tea , Nyholm Iiris , Andersson Noora , Hukkinen Maria , Lohi Jouko , Wilson David B. , Pihlajoki Marjut , Pakarinen Mikko P. , Heikinheimo Markku
Published: February 2021

Successful portoenterostomy (SPE) improves the short‐term outcome of patients with biliary atresia (BA) by relieving cholestasis and extending survival with native liver. Despite SPE, hepatic fibrosis progresses in most patients, leading to cirrhosis and a deterioration of liver function. The goal of this study was to characterize the effects of SPE on the BA liver transcriptome. We used messenger RNA sequencing to analyze global gene‐expression patterns in liver biopsies obtained at the time of portoenterostomy (n = 13) and 1 year after SPE (n = 8). Biopsies from pediatric (n = 2) and adult (n = 2) organ donors and other neonatal cholestatic conditions (n = 5) served as controls. SPE was accompanied by attenuation of inflammation and concomitant up‐regulation of key extracellular matrix (ECM) genes. Highly overexpressed genes promoting biliary fibrosis and bile duct integrity, such as integrin subunit beta 6 and previously unreported laminin subunit alpha 3, emerged as candidates to control liver fibrosis after SPE. At a cellular level, the relative abundance of activated hepatic stellate cells and liver macrophages decreased following SPE, whereas portal fibroblasts (PFs) and cholangiocytes persisted. Conclusion: The attenuation of inflammation following SPE coincides with emergence of an ECM molecular fingerprint, a set of profibrotic molecules mechanistically connected to biliary fibrosis. The persistence of activated PFs and cholangiocytes after SPE suggests a central role for these cell types in the progression of biliary fibrosis.
Hippocampal beta oscillations predict mouse object‐location associative memory performance
Authors: Iwasaki Satoshi , Sasaki Takuya , Ikegaya Yuji
Published: February 2021

Memorizing the locations of environmental cues is crucial for survival and depends on the hippocampus. We recorded local field potentials (LFPs) from the hippocampus of freely moving mice during an object location task. The power of beta‐band (23–30 Hz) oscillations increased immediately before approaching objects in a memory‐encoding phase. The exploration‐induced beta oscillations gradually decreased during the memory‐encoding session. Mice that exhibited stronger beta oscillation power exhibited better performance in the subsequent memory‐retrieval test. These results suggest that beta oscillations in the hippocampal CA1 region are involved in the memory encoding of object‐location associations.
Facilitators to healthy canteen policy implementation: A qualitative approach
Authors: McPherson Melinda , Lai Cheuk Chi , Leahy Deana , Wessell Adele , Srinivasan Saranya , Hanley Bridget , Peeters Anna , Palermo Claire
Published: February 2021

Issue addressed

Governments across the world use guidelines and policy to support improving the quality and nutrition in school canteens, yet little is known about what makes for success in supporting school canteens. This study aimed to investigate the factors influencing the implementation of a healthy school canteen policy.

Methods

A qualitative descriptive approach using interviews with a purposive sample of Victorian schools that had successfully implemented a healthy school canteen was conducted. Twelve interviews were conducted with principals (n = 4), assistant principal (n = 1), canteen managers (n = 5), food services manager (n = 1) and canteen staff members (n = 3) across six Victorian schools. Data were analysed using a content analysis approach.

Results

Three key themes explained the adoption of policy: Values – emphasising service over profit; Knowledge – understanding of nutrition and the policy; and Support – from within and external to the school.

Conclusions

Implementation of school canteen policy is more likely to be achieved when a school can focus on the service and educative component of the policy and where there is a shared priority for healthy eating across the entire school community.

So what?

Creating a culture of service and community engagement with a healthy school canteen may increase policy implementation and should be the focus of future health promotion efforts.
A community‐supported weather and soil moisture monitoring database of the Roaring Fork catchment of the Colorado River Headwaters
Authors: Osenga Elise C. , Vano Julie A. , Arnott James C.
Published: February 2021

Local community interest in better understanding regional climate change impacts has motivated the establishment of a long‐term soil moisture and weather observation network in the Roaring Fork catchment of the Colorado River Headwaters. This catchment‐wide suite of 10 stations, installed between 2012 and 2020, collects frequent, fixed‐interval data on soil moisture, soil temperature, rain, air temperature, relative humidity, and (at some stations) snow across an elevational gradient from 1800 to 3680 m. In this paper we provide a description of the data this network provides, how data are accessed, and how this community‐supported effort has resulted in data that support mountain hydrology research with applications for resource management and climate change adaptation decision making. All data from this network are publicly available.
The impact of external governance and regulatory settings on the profitability of Islamic banks: Evidence from Arab markets
Authors: Athari Seyed Alireza , Bahreini Mahboubeh
Published: February 2021

This study specifically investigates the effects of external governance mechanisms and regulatory settings on the profitability of Islamic banks operating in the Arab markets from 2003 to 2017. The empirical results underscore that the external governance mechanism and its dimensions in particular the political stability, regulatory quality, rule of law, and control of corruption impact Islamic banks' profitability positively. However, the regulatory settings and its sub‐indices particularly the extent of disclosure and ease of shareholder suits have the opposite effect. Likewise, the results of traditional determinants indicate that the profitability of Islamic banks is shaped by the bank‐specific, industry‐specific, and country and global‐level determinants. Results are robust and consistent with alternative estimation procedures and also support for the negative and positive effect of voice and accountability external governance's dimension and inflation, respectively. The findings of this study have important policy implications for regulators, policymakers, and banks' managers.
iSPECTRON: A simulation interface for linear and nonlinear spectra with ab‐initio quantum chemistry software
Authors: Segatta Francesco , Nenov Artur , Nascimento Daniel R. , Govind Niranjan , Mukamel Shaul , Garavelli Marco
Published: February 2021

We introduce iSPECTRON, a program that parses data from common quantum chemistry software (NWChem, OpenMolcas, Gaussian, Cobramm, etc.), produces the input files for the simulation of linear and nonlinear spectroscopy of molecules with the Spectron code, and analyzes the spectra with a broad range of tools. Vibronic spectra are expressed in term of the electronic eigenstates, obtained from quantum chemistry computations, and vibrational/bath effects are incorporated in the framework of the displaced harmonic oscillator model, where all required quantities are computed at the Franck‐Condon point. The program capabilities are illustrated by simulating linear absorption, transient absorption and two dimensional electronic spectra of the pyrene molecule. Calculations at two levels of electronic structure theory, time‐dependent density functional theory (with NWChem) and RASSCF/RASPT2 (with OpenMolcas) are presented and compared where possible. The iSPECTRON program is available online at https://github.com/ispectrongit/iSPECTRON/ and distributed open source under the terms of the Educational Community License version 2.0 (ECL 2.0).
Ultrasmall Ag species decorated on α‐Fe2O3 nanorods toward high‐efficient photocatalytic degrading tetracycline hydrochloride in water
Authors: Zhou Xiangtong , Xi Haipeng , Li Chunmei , Dong Hongjun , Wang Xinling , Zhao Qilu , Zhang Juan , Yang Jing
Published: February 2021

The ultrasmall Ag species decorated on α‐Fe2O3 nanorods photocatalysts are prepared through a facile in situ photodeposition process. The obtained Ag/α‐Fe2O3 composite samples display more outstanding photocatalytic activity than original α‐Fe2O3 in the degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride (TC‐HCl) in water. The degradation rate constant of TC‐HCl over the Ag/α‐Fe2O3‐5 sample reaches up to 0.0118 min−1, which is about 6.21 times than that over original α‐Fe2O3 sample (0.0019 min−1). The structure characterizations, physicochemical properties, and photoelectrochemical measurements reveal that the visible light absorption ability and charge separation efficiency are improved dramatically owing to the decoration effect of ultrasmall Ag species on the surface of α‐Fe2O3 nanorods. The photocatalytic reaction mechanism investigations demonstrate that holes, ˙O2−, and ˙OH all are main active species and play important roles in the degradation process of TC‐HCl.
Liquid nitrogen for cryotherapy treatment for osteosarcoma of the middle femur: A case report
Authors: Liu Cheng , Shu Cuili
Published: February 2021

Background

Osteosarcoma is the most common primary malignant bone tumor in children and adolescents. Cryotherapy liquid nitrogen has been used an adjuvant treatment for tumors for some decades.

Case presentation

A 23‐year‐old male patient was admitted to our hospital, mainly due to progressive pain in his left thigh, and confirmed osteosarcoma by local biopsy. A total length of 28 cm tumor bone was completely resected at the region of above and below lesion 3 cm under the guidance of MRI. After removed part of the tumor tissue, tumor bone was dealt with liquid nitrogen for 20 minutes. Finally, the bone was fixed with intramedullary needles for reconstruction. Three months after surgery, the X‐ray examination showed poor bone growth at both distal sides of osteotomy and disuse degeneration of knee joint. The patient was performed an incision on the lateral side of the distal left thigh to secure the locking plate, and followed up every 3 months. Two years after operation, there was no sign of local recurrence.

Conclusion

Liquid nitrogen for cryotherapy may be a feasible local therapy for large lesion of osteosarcoma in middle femur.
PKC‐β/Alox5 axis activation promotes Bcr‐Abl‐independent TKI‐resistance in chronic myeloid leukemia
Authors: Ma Dan , Liu Ping , Wang Ping , Zhou Zhen , Fang Qin , Wang Jishi
Published: February 2021

Bcr‐Abl independent resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) is a crucial factor lead to relapse or acute leukemia transformation in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). However, its mechanism is still unclear. Herein, we found that of nine common protein kinases C (PKCs), PKC‐β overexpression was significantly related with TKI resistance. Blockage of its expression in CD34+ cells and CML cell lines increased sensitivity to imatinib. Then, eighty‐four leukemia related genes were compared between TKI‐resistant CML cell lines with PKC‐β silenced or not. Gene Ontology term and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis showed that Arachidonate 5‐lipoxygenase (Alox5) and its relative pathway mainly participated in the resistance induced by PKC‐β overexpression. It's also observed that Alox5 was increased not only in bone marrow biopsy but also in CD34+ cells derived from IM‐resistant CML patients. The signaling pathway exploration indicated that ERK1/2 pathway mediates Alox5 upregulation by PKC‐β. Meanwhile, we also proved that Alox5 induces TKI‐insensitivity in CML through inactivation of PTEN. In vivo experiment, PKC‐β elective inhibitor LY333531 prolonged survival time in CML‐PDX mice model. In conclusion, targeted on PKC‐β overexpression might be a novel therapy mechanism to overcome TKI‐resistance in CML.
Genetic deletion of the Tas2r143/Tas2r135/Tas2r126 cluster reveals that TAS2Rs may not mediate bitter tastant‐induced bronchodilation
Authors: Lu Ping , ElMallah Mai K. , Liu Zeyu , Wu Chan , Chen Jun , Lifshitz Lawrence M. , ZhuGe Ronghua
Published: February 2021

Bitter taste receptors (TAS2Rs) and their signaling elements are detected throughout the body, and bitter tastants induce a wide variety of biological responses in tissues and organs outside the mouth. However, the roles of TAS2Rs in these responses remain to be tested and established genetically. Here, we employed the CRISPR/Cas9 gene‐editing technique to delete three bitter taste receptors—Tas2r143/Tas2r135/Tas2r126 (i.e., Tas2r triple knockout [TKO]) in mice. The fidelity and effectiveness of the Tas2r deletions were validated genetically at DNA and messenger RNA levels and functionally based on the tasting of TAS2R135 and TAS2R126 agonists. Bitter tastants are known to relax airways completely. However, TAS2R135 or TAS2R126 agonists either failed to induce relaxation of pre‐contracted airways in wild‐type mice and Tas2r TKO mice or relaxed them dose‐dependently, but to the same extent in both types of mice. These results indicate that TAS2Rs are not required for bitter tastant‐induced bronchodilation. The Tas2r TKO mice also provide a valuable model to resolve whether TAS2Rs mediate bitter tastant‐induced responses in many other extraoral tissues.