bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Academic leisure crafting: More than a respite to breath?
Authors: Jones David Raymond
Published: July 2021

In the context of the increased frustration and anxiety around managerialism of universities, this article explores how a group of 11 academics, from three different universities, diverse disciplines and levels are responding collectively outside of their work. Moreover, it tracks the enactment of the ‘Slow Swimming Club’, initiated by the author and jointly participated in and shaped by these academics. The club represents a particular form of leisure crafting, called slow swimming. Using an autoethnographic approach, the impact of the Slow Swimming Club was explored over a 10‐year period. The article reflects on the initial effect of this practice, around an individualised compensatory respite from the academics’ feelings of frustration and insecurity. This respite was framed in terms of temporal and aesthetic task crafting. The article then reflects on how the external, counter‐performative nature of leisure crafting has opened up time and space for job crafting, back in their universities. The differentiating feature of this research is around the role of academic agency in moving beyond respite towards structural contestation and more systemic change. It also highlights the importance of the relationship between leisure and work within this crafting process. Through placing the aesthetic and temporal dimensions in the foreground, the article offers a significant conceptual contribution to crafting typology. It also extends slow scholarship, by advocating an embodied, sensual and experiential response to the fast pedagogies of managerialism.
Steric Effects on the Formation of Self‐Assembled Monolayers of Alicyclic Thiol Derivatives on Au(111)
Authors: Seong Sicheon , Kwon Seungwook , Han Seulki , Son Young Ji , Lee Gaeun , Yang Taeho , Lee Nam‐Suk , Noh Jaegeun
Published: July 2021

To understand the steric effects on the formation of alicyclic thiolate self‐assembled monolayers on Au(111), the surface structures and reductive desorption behaviors of self‐assembled monolayers on Au(111) derived from cyclohexanethiol (CHT) and 1‐methylcyclohexanethiols (MCHT) were characterized using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and cyclic voltammetry. STM observations showed that the adsorption of CHT on Au(111) resulted in the formation of well‐organized monolayers with an unit cell of a = 14.5 ± 0.3 Å and b = 10.2 ± 0.3 Å, while the adsorption of MCHT with a methyl substituent bonded to the 1‐position of the cyclohexyl ring resulted in the formation of a disordered phase. The reductive desorption potentials for CHT and MCHT monolayers on Au electrodes were observed at −0.984 and −0.974 V, respectively. This difference in potentials can be attributed to the difference in lateral interactions, which depend on the structural order of monolayers.
Intraoperative diagnosis of retroaortic left innominate vein in a patient with congenital heart disease
Authors: Kanakis Meletios , Bobos Dimitrios , Samanidis George , Papakonstantinou Nikolaos , Kousi Theophili , Lioulias Achilleas , Giannopoulos Nicholas
Published: July 2021

Diagnosis of retroaortic left innominate vein is usually made by echocardiography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging, but in several cases, diagnosis is made in the theater.
Transient Directing Groups in Metal−Organic Cooperative Catalysis
Authors: Jacob Clément , Maes Bert U. W. , Evano Gwilherm
Published: July 2021

The direct functionalization of C−H bonds is among the most fundamental chemical transformations in organic synthesis. However, when the innate reactivity of the substrate cannot be utilized for the functionalization of a given single C−H bond, this selective C−H bond functionalization mostly relies on the use of directing groups that allow bringing the catalyst in close proximity to the C−H bond to be activated and these directing groups need to be installed before and cleaved after the transformation, which involves two additional undesired synthetic operations. These additional steps dramatically reduce the overall impact and the attractiveness of C−H bond functionalization techniques since classical approaches based on substrate pre‐functionalization are sometimes still more straightforward and appealing. During the past decade, a different approach involving both the in situ installation and removal of the directing group, which can then often be used in a catalytic manner, has emerged: the transient directing group strategy. In addition to its innovative character, this strategy has brought C−H bond functionalization to an unprecedented level of usefulness and has enabled the development of remarkably efficient processes for the direct and selective introduction of functional groups onto both aromatic and aliphatic substrates. The processes unlocked by the development of these transient directing groups will be comprehensively overviewed in this review article.
Chemistry Platform for the Ultrafast Continuous Synthesis of High‐Quality III–V Quantum Dots
Authors: Giroire Baptiste , Garcia Alain , Marre Samuel , Cardinal Thierry , Aymonier Cyril
Published: July 2021

A chemistry platform for the fast continuous synthesis of III–V quantum dots is demonstrated. III‐nitride QDs are prepared by using short residence times (less than 30 s) in a one‐step continuous process with supercritical solvents. GaN QDs prepared via this route exhibit strong UV photoluminescence with a structuring of the emission signal at low temperature (5 K), confirming their high quality. An example of metal site substitution is given with the synthesis of InxGa1‐xN solid solution. A continuous bandgap shift towards lower energies is demonstrated when increasing the indium content with strong photoluminescence signals from UV to visible. The chemistry platform proposed could be easily extrapolated to binary and ternary III phosphides or arsenides with the homologous V source.
The intersection of racism, discrimination, bias, and homophobia toward African American sexual minority patients with cancer within the health care system
Authors: Elk Ronit
Published: July 2021

The creation of a racist‐free, prejudice‐free, bias‐free health care system is our individual and collective responsibility. Applying a health equity lens will guide us toward dismantling inequitable treatment.
Positron emission tomography/computed tomography in the management of Hodgkin and B‐cell non‐Hodgkin lymphoma: An update
Authors: Juweid Malik E. , Mueller Marguerite , Alhouri Abdullah , A‐Risheq M. Ziad , Mottaghy Felix M.
Published: July 2021

18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) is now an integral part of lymphoma staging and management. Because of its greater accuracy compared with CT alone, PET/CT is currently routinely performed for staging and for response assessment at the end of treatment in the vast majority of FDG‐avid lymphomas and is the cornerstone of response classification for these lymphomas according to the Lugano classification. Interim PET/CT, typically performed after 2 to 4 of 6 to 8 chemotherapy/chemoimmunotherapy cycles with or without radiation, is commonly performed for prognostication and potential treatment escalation or de‐escalation early in the course of therapy, a concept known as response‐adapted or risk‐adapted treatment. Quantitative PET is an area of growing interest. Metrics, such as the standardized uptake value, changes (Δ) in the standardized uptake value, metabolic tumor volume, and total lesion glycolysis, are being investigated as more reproducible and potentially more accurate predictors of response and prognosis. Despite the progress made in standardizing the use of PET/CT in lymphoma, challenges remain, particularly with respect to its limited positive predictive value, emphasizing the need for more specific molecular probes. This review highlights the most relevant applications of PET/CT in Hodgkin and B‐cell non‐Hodgkin lymphoma, its strengths and limitations, as well as recent efforts at implementing PET/CT‐based metrics as promising tools for precision medicine.
Evolution of risk stratification systems is critical for improving patient selection for cytoreductive nephrectomy
Authors: Esdaille Ashanda R. , Abel E. Jason
Published: July 2021

Although multiple active systemic treatments are now available for patients with metastatic kidney cancer, the tools to clearly identify patients who appear to benefit from cytoreductive surgery remain poorly defined or validated. To improve the level of evidence for future surgical research in metastatic renal cell cancer, it is imperative that specific tools be developed for advanced risk stratification in the context of evaluating the potential benefits from surgery.
Soybean Hairy Root Transformation: A Rapid and Highly Efficient Method
Authors: Song Jaehyo , Tóth Katalin , Montes‐Luz Bruna , Stacey Gary
Published: July 2021

New genetic engineering techniques have advanced the field of plant molecular biology, and Agrobacterium‐mediated transformation has enabled the discovery of numerous molecular and genetic functions. It has been widely used in many plants, including the economically important crop, soybean. Large‐scale genetic analyses are needed to comprehend the molecular mechanisms that underlie the agronomic traits of soybean, and the generation of stable transgenic plants involves a lengthy and laborious process. Agrobacterium rhizogenes‐mediated hairy root transformation is a quick and efficient method for investigations of root‐specific processes and interactions. Generation of composite plants with transgenic roots and wild‐type shoots allows for the study of the genetic mechanisms involved in root biology, such as the Bradyrhizobium‐soybean interaction. Here, we provide an updated protocol for generating hairy soybean roots in as little as 18 days in a cost‐ and space‐effective manner and demonstrate possible uses of composite plants with soybean nodulation assays and gene expression analysis as examples. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol 1: Soybean hairy root transformation

Basic Protocol 2: Soybean nodulation assay

Alternate Protocol: Soybean nodulation assay in germination pouches

Support Protocol: Bradyrhizobium japonicum culture preparation for inoculation

Basic Protocol 3: Histochemical GUS staining for promoter analysis
Preparation and Mounting of Whole Blood Clot Samples for Mechanical Testing
Authors: Sugerman Gabriella P. , Chokshi Armaan , Rausch Manuel K.
Published: July 2021

Studying and quantifying the mechanics of blood clots is essential to better diagnosis and prognosis of, as well as therapy for, thromboembolic pathologies such as strokes, heart attacks, and pulmonary embolisms. Unfortunately, mechanically testing blood clots is complicated by their softness and fragility, thus making the use of classic mounting techniques, such as clamping, challenging. This is particularly true for mechanical testing under large deformation. Here, we describe protocols for creating in vitro blood clots and securely mounting these samples on mechanical test equipment. To this end, we line 3D‐printed molds with a hook‐and‐loop fabric that, after coagulation, provides a secure interface between the sample and device mount. In summary, our molding and mounting protocols are ideal for performing large‐deformation mechanical testing, with samples that can withstand substantial deformation without delaminating from the apparatus. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol 1: Cube‐shaped blood clot preparation

Basic Protocol 2: Sheet‐shaped blood clot preparation
Numerical study for the fractional RL, RC, and RLC electrical circuits using Legendre pseudo‐spectral method
Authors: Khader M. M. , Gómez‐Aguilar J. F. , Adel M.
Published: July 2021

In the presented work, we present an accurate procedure, which is the spectral method, to find a solution to a certain class of the very important fractional (described by the Liouville–Caputo sense) models of the electrical RL, RC, and RLC circuits. This method is collocated using some important advantages of the generalized Legendre polynomials to obtain the numerical solution for these models. Besides, we compare the approximate solutions that are obtained using the presented technique for the proposed models with their exact solution in the given numerical examples.
Systematic evaluation of SARS‐CoV‐2 antigens enables a highly specific and sensitive multiplex serological COVID‐19 assay
Authors: Hober Sophia , Hellström Cecilia , Olofsson Jennie , Andersson Eni , Bergström Sofia , Jernbom Falk August , Bayati Shaghayegh , Mravinacova Sara , Sjöberg Ronald , Yousef Jamil , Skoglund Lovisa , Kanje Sara , Berling Anna , Svensson Anne‐Sophie , Jensen Gabriella , Enstedt Henric , Afshari Delaram , Xu Lan Lan , Zwahlen Martin , von Feilitzen Kalle , Hanke Leo , Murrell Ben , McInerney Gerald , Karlsson Hedestam Gunilla B , Lendel Christofer , Roth Robert G , Skoog Ingmar , Svenungsson Elisabet , Olsson Tomas , Fogdell‐Hahn Anna , Lindroth Ylva , Lundgren Maria , Maleki Kimia T , Lagerqvist Nina , Klingström Jonas , Da Silva Rodrigues Rui , Muschiol Sandra , Bogdanovic Gordana , Arroyo Mühr Laila Sara , Eklund Carina , Lagheden Camilla , Dillner Joakim , Sivertsson Åsa , Havervall Sebastian , Thålin Charlotte , Tegel Hanna , Pin Elisa , Månberg Anna , Hedhammar My , Nilsson Peter
Published: July 2021

Objective

The COVID‐19 pandemic poses an immense need for accurate, sensitive and high‐throughput clinical tests, and serological assays are needed for both overarching epidemiological studies and evaluating vaccines. Here, we present the development and validation of a high‐throughput multiplex bead‐based serological assay.

Methods

More than 100 representations of SARS‐CoV‐2 proteins were included for initial evaluation, including antigens produced in bacterial and mammalian hosts as well as synthetic peptides. The five best‐performing antigens, three representing the spike glycoprotein and two representing the nucleocapsid protein, were further evaluated for detection of IgG antibodies in samples from 331 COVID‐19 patients and convalescents, and in 2090 negative controls sampled before 2020.

Results

Three antigens were finally selected, represented by a soluble trimeric form and the S1‐domain of the spike glycoprotein as well as by the C‐terminal domain of the nucleocapsid. The sensitivity for these three antigens individually was found to be 99.7%, 99.1% and 99.7%, and the specificity was found to be 98.1%, 98.7% and 95.7%. The best assay performance was although achieved when utilising two antigens in combination, enabling a sensitivity of up to 99.7% combined with a specificity of 100%. Requiring any two of the three antigens resulted in a sensitivity of 99.7% and a specificity of 99.4%.

Conclusion

These observations demonstrate that a serological test based on a combination of several SARS‐CoV‐2 antigens enables a highly specific and sensitive multiplex serological COVID‐19 assay.
Blood biomarkers associated to complete pathological response on NSCLC patients treated with neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy included in NADIM clinical trial
Authors: Laza‐Briviesca Raquel , Cruz‐Bermúdez Alberto , Nadal Ernest , Insa Amelia , García‐Campelo María del Rosario , Huidobro Gerardo , Dómine Manuel , Majem Margarita , Rodríguez‐Abreu Delvys , Martínez‐Martí Alex , De Castro Carpeño Javier , Cobo Manuel , López Vivanco Guillermo , Del Barco Edel , Bernabé Caro Reyes , Viñolas Nuria , Barneto Aranda Isidoro , Viteri Santiago , Massuti Bartomeu , Casarrubios Marta , Sierra‐Rodero Belén , Tarín Carlos , García‐Grande Aránzazu , Haymaker Cara , Wistuba Ignacio I. , Romero Atocha , Franco Fernando , Provencio Mariano
Published: July 2021

Background

Immunotherapy is being tested in early‐stage non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and achieving higher rates of complete pathological responses (CPR) as compared to standard of care. Early identification of CPR patients has vital clinical implications. In this study, we focused on basal peripheral immune cells and their treatment‐related changes to find biomarkers associated to CPR.

Methods

Blood from 29 stage IIIA NSCLC patients participating in the NADIM trial (NCT03081689) was collected at diagnosis and post neoadjuvant treatment. More than 400 parameters of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) phenotype and plasma soluble factors were analyzed.

Results

Neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy altered more than 150 immune parameters. At diagnosis, 11 biomarkers associated to CPR were described, with an area under the ROC curve >0.70 and p‐value <.05. CPR patients had significantly higher levels of CD4+PD‐1+ cells, NKG2D, and CD56 expression on T CD56 cells, intensity of CD25 expression on CD4+CD25hi+ cells and CD69 expression on intermediate monocytes; but lower levels of CD3+CD56–CTLA‐4+ cells, CD14++CD16+CTLA‐4+ cells, CTLA‐4 expression on T CD56 cells and lower levels of b‐NGF, NT‐3, and VEGF‐D in plasma compared to non‐CPR. Post treatment, CPR patients had significantly higher levels of CD19 expression on B cells, BCMA, 4‐1BB, MCSF, and PARC and lower levels of MPIF‐1 and Flt‐3L in plasma compared to non‐CPR.

Conclusions

Patients achieving CPR seem to have a distinctive peripheral blood immune status at diagnosis, even showing different immune response to treatment. These results reinforce the different biology behind CPR and non‐CPR responses.
Tumor‐derived exosomal BCYRN1 activates WNT5A/VEGF‐C/VEGFR3 feedforward loop to drive lymphatic metastasis of bladder cancer
Authors: Zheng Hanhao , Chen Changhao , Luo Yuming , Yu Min , He Wang , An Mingjie , Gao Bowen , Kong Yao , Ya Yiyao , Lin Yan , Li Yuting , Xie Keji , Huang Jian , Lin Tianxin
Published: July 2021

Background

Patients with lymph node (LN) metastatic bladder cancer (BCa) present with extremely poor prognosis. BCa‐derived exosomes function as crucial bioactive cargo carriers to mediate the signal transduction in tumor microenvironment triggering tumor metastasis. However, the mechanisms underlying exosome‐mediated LN metastasis in BCa are unclear.

Methods

We conducted the high‐throughput sequencing to explore the expression profile of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) in urinary exosomes (urinary‐EXO) from patients with BCa and further evaluated the clinical relevance of exosomal lncRNA BCYRN1 in a larger 210‐case cohort. The functional role of exosomal BCYRN1 was evaluated through the migration and tube formation assays in vitro and the footpad‐popliteal LN metastasis model in vivo. RNA pull‐down assays, luciferase assays, and actinomycin assays were conducted to detect the regulatory mechanism of exosomal BCYRN1.

Results

LncRNA BCYRN1 was substantially upregulated in urinary‐EXO from patients with BCa, and associated with the LN metastasis of BCa. We demonstrated that exosomal BCYRN1 markedly promoted tube formation and migration of human lymphatic endothelial cells (HLECs) in vitro and lymphangiogenesis and LN metastasis of BCa in vivo. Mechanistically, BCYRN1 epigenetically upregulated WNT5A expression by inducing hnRNPA1‐associated H3K4 trimethylation in WNT5A promoter, which activated Wnt/β‐catenin signaling to facilitate the secretion of VEGF‐C in BCa. Moreover, exosomal BCYRN1 was transmitted to HLECs to stabilize the VEGFR3 mRNA and thus formed an hnRNPA1/WNT5A/VEGFR3 feedforward regulatory loop, ultimately promoting the lymphatic metastasis of BCa. Importantly, blocking VEGFR3 with specific inhibitor, SAR131675 significantly impaired exosomal BCYRN1‐induced the LN metastasis in vivo. Clinically, exosomal BCYRN1 was positively associated with the shorter survival of BCa patients and identified as a poor prognostic factor of patients.

Conclusion

Our results uncover a novel mechanism by which exosomal BCYRN1 synergistically enhances VEGF‐C/VEGFR3 signaling‐induced lymphatic metastasis of BCa, indicating that BCYRN1 may serve as an encouraging therapeutic target for patients with BCa.
Assessing pesticides exposure effects on the reproductive performance of a declining aerial insectivore
Authors: Poisson Marie‐Christine , Garrett Daniel R. , Sigouin Audrey , Bélisle Marc , Garant Dany , Haroune Lounès , Bellenger Jean‐Philippe , Pelletier Fanie
Published: July 2021

In the context of increasing global environmental changes, it has become progressively important to understand the effects of human activity on wildlife populations. Declines in several avian populations have been observed since the 1970s, especially with respect to many farmland and grassland birds, which also include some aerial insectivores. Changes in farming practices referred to as agricultural intensification coincide with these major avian declines. Among those practices, increased pesticide use is hypothesized to be a key driver of avian population declines as it can lead to both toxicological and trophic effects. While numerous laboratory studies report that birds experience acute and chronic effects upon consuming pesticide treated food, little is known about the effects of the exposure to multiple pesticides on wildlife in natural settings. We monitored the breeding activities of Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) on 40 farms distributed over a gradient of agricultural intensification in southern Québec, Canada, to evaluate the presence of pesticides in their diet and quantify the exposure effects of those compounds on their reproductive performance between 2013 and 2018. We first assessed the presence of 54 active agents (or derivatives) found in pesticides in 2,081 food boluses (insects) delivered to nestlings by parents and documented their spatial distribution within our study area. Second, we assessed the effect of pesticide exposure through food (number of active agents detected and number of contaminated boluses on a given farm for a given year, while controlling for sampling effort) on clutch size as well as hatching and fledging successes and nestling’s mass upon fledging. Pesticides were ubiquitous in our study system and nearly half (46%) of food boluses were contaminated by at least one active agent. Yet we found no relationship between our proxies of food contamination by pesticides and Tree Swallow reproductive performance. More studies are needed to better understand the putative role of pesticides in the decline of farmland birds and aerial insectivores as potential sublethal effects of pesticides can carry over to later life stages and impact fitness.
Experimental evaluation of spatial capture–recapture study design
Authors: Fleming Jill , Grant Evan H. Campbell , Sterrett Sean C. , Sutherland Chris
Published: July 2021

A principal challenge impeding strong inference in analyses of wild populations is the lack of robust and long‐term data sets. Recent advancements in analytical tools used in wildlife science may increase our ability to integrate smaller data sets and enhance the statistical power of population estimates. One such advancement, the development of spatial capture–recapture (SCR) methods, explicitly accounts for differences in spatial study designs, making it possible to equate multiple study designs in one analysis. SCR has been shown to be robust to variation in design as long as minimal sampling guidance is adhered to. However, these expectations are based on simulation and have yet to be evaluated in wild populations. Here we conduct a rigorously designed field experiment by manipulating the arrangement of artificial cover objects (ACOs) used to collect data on red‐backed salamanders (Plethodon cinereus) to empirically evaluate the effects of design configuration on inference made using SCR. Our results suggest that, using SCR, estimates of space use and detectability are sensitive to study design configuration, namely the spacing and extent of the array, and that caution is warranted when assigning biological interpretation to these parameters. However, estimates of population density remain robust to design except when the configuration of detectors grossly violates existing recommendations.
Modeling multi‐scale occupancy for monitoring rare and highly mobile species
Authors: Emmet Robert L. , Long Robert A. , Gardner Beth
Published: July 2021

Occupancy‐based methods are commonly used to model the distribution, habitat use, and relative abundance of species. In particular, occupancy‐based methods are often recommended for monitoring species, allowing researchers to track population trends using detection–non‐detection data alone. Occupancy models, however, have proven difficult to apply to rare, highly mobile species. Species’ movements outside of sampling areas may lead to violation of the geographic closure assumption of occupancy models and overestimated occupancy probability. Low detection probability may further inflate occupancy probability estimates. We developed a novel continuous‐time, multi‐scale occupancy model to simultaneously account for closure assumption violations and low detection probability. We used a simulation study to test our model relative to a discrete‐time multi‐scale model, and we conducted a power analysis to assess the ability of an instantaneous occupancy parameter to detect trends in abundance, relative to standard occupancy alone. The continuous‐time model was competitive with the discrete‐time model and was generally computationally faster than and outperformed the discrete‐time model when detection probability was low. The instantaneous occupancy parameter outperformed occupancy in terms of power to detect trends when we used an implicit (i.e., estimating occupancy independently in each primary occasion) dynamic occupancy model, but performed no better when we used an explicit (i.e., estimating colonization and extinction) dynamic occupancy model. We applied both discrete‐time and continuous‐time multi‐scale occupancy models to a case study of data collected on wolverines (Gulo gulo) in Washington, USA. We found improved precision in estimates with the continuous‐time model and that asymptotic occupancy of wolverines was high, but short‐term use of any given area was low. Our multi‐scale, continuous‐time occupancy model can be used to detect trends in abundance of rare, highly mobile species, regardless of how occupancy dynamics are modeled. Furthermore, our model can allow for more efficient data collection and analysis than traditional discrete‐time or spatially multi‐scale approaches, as our model uses all available detections and requires only one detector per sampling unit by substituting time for space.
Projectified governance and sustainability transitions: How projects and framework programmes can accelerate transition processes
Authors: Nylén Erkki‐Jussi Antero
Published: July 2021

Projects are used in large numbers as a method to steer societal development, especially in contemporary Western societies. This so‐called projectification has relevant socio‐political effects on sustainability transitions, especially from the policy perspective. The aim of this paper is to analyse how projects and policy framework programmes can accelerate transition processes. The paper introduces the concept of a ‘projectified transition policy process’ by synthesising research on projectified governance, transitions and policy processes. The concept's empirical relevance is addressed with a case study analysis focussing on a framework programme that supports nutrient recycling technologies and practices via project funding. The framework programme was the first measure to actualise transition‐driven nutrient recycling policy in Finland, which has been ongoing since 2010. The conceptual exploration and case analysis in this paper show that projects and framework programmes can accelerate transition processes by mobilising actors, creating synergies between them with intermediary actions and producing project outcomes that can be turned into effective transition inputs.
A microfluidic generator of dynamic shear stress and biochemical signals based on autonomously oscillatory flow
Authors: Li Yong‐Jiang , Zhang Wen‐Jia , Zhan Chen‐Lin , Chen Ke‐Jie , Xue Chun‐Dong , Wang Yu , Chen Xiao‐Ming , Qin Kai‐Rong
Published: July 2021

Biological cells in vivo typically reside in a dynamic flowing microenvironment with extensive biomechanical and biochemical cues varying in time and space. These dynamic biomechanical and biochemical signals together act to regulate cellular behaviors and functions. Microfluidic technology is an important experimental platform for mimicking extracellular flowing microenvironment in vitro. However, most existing microfluidic chips for generating dynamic shear stress and biochemical signals require expensive, large peripheral pumps and external control systems, unsuitable for being placed inside cell incubators to conduct cell biology experiments. This study has developed a microfluidic generator of dynamic shear stress and biochemical signals based on autonomously oscillatory flow. Further, based on the lumped‐parameter and distributed‐parameter models of multiscale fluid dynamics, the oscillatory flow field and the concentration field of biochemical factors has been simulated at the cell culture region within the designed microfluidic chip. Using the constructed experimental system, the feasibility of the designed microfluidic chip has been validated by simulating biochemical factors with red dye. The simulation results demonstrate that dynamic shear stress and biochemical signals with adjustable period and amplitude can be generated at the cell culture chamber within the microfluidic chip. The amplitudes of dynamic shear stress and biochemical signals is proportional to the pressure difference and inversely proportional to the flow resistance, while their periods are correlated positively with the flow capacity and the flow resistance. The experimental results reveal the feasibility of the designed microfluidic chip. Conclusively, the proposed microfluidic generator based on autonomously oscillatory flow can generate dynamic shear stress and biochemical signals without peripheral pumps and external control systems. In addition to reducing the experimental cost, due to the tiny volume, it is beneficial to be integrated into cell incubators for cell biology experiments. Thus, the proposed microfluidic chip provides a novel experimental platform for cell biology investigations.
Improvement of hydrogen storage characteristics of catalyst free magnesium nanoparticles prepared by wet milling
Authors: Banrejee Seemita , Kumar Asheesh , Ruz Priyanka , Sudarsan Vasanthakumaran
Published: July 2021

Magnesium is one of the potential candidates for on‐board hydrogen storage, but slow hydrogenation kinetics and unfavourable thermodynamics limits its practical implementation. To improve the hydrogenation characteristics, nanocrystalline magnesium was prepared by a simple wet milling method without addition of heavy metal catalyst. Compared to micro‐crystalline Mg, developed nanocrystalline Mg exhibits improved hydrogen storage properties showing extended plateau region in the pressure‐composition‐temperature curves with higher hydrogen storage capacity (6.24 wt% at 300°C). Hydrogenation and dehydrogenation kinetics is found to follow Kolmogorov−Johnson−Mehl−Avrami activation energy model confirming the involvement of nucleation‐growth‐impingement mechanism. Prolonged ball milling leads to quite fast hydrogenation kinetics (upto 90% of the saturation value in 15.5 minutes at 250°C) and leads to substantial decrease in the activation barrier. The activation energy for hydrogenation is found to be 68.88 kJ mol−1 for 8 hours ball milled sample. Present study established a simple and scalable method for nanocrystalline Mg, which can undergo reversible hydrogen absorption and desorption with improved performance without using any additional catalyst.
The neural correlates of a central coherence task in young women with anorexia nervosa
Authors: Leslie Monica , Halls Daniel , Leppanen Jenni , Sedgewick Felicity , Lang Katie , Fonville Leon , Simic Mima , Mandy William , Nicholls Dasha , Williams Steven , Tchanturia Kate
Published: July 2021

Objective

Heightened detail‐processing and low levels of central coherence are common in individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN) and predict poorer prognosis. However, it is unclear whether these processing styles predate the disorder or, rather, emerge during later stages of AN. The current study aimed to address this question by investigating central coherence, and the neural correlates of central coherence, in a sample of young women with AN with shorter duration of illness than previous studies recruiting adult samples.

Methods

We recruited 186 participants, including: 73 young women with AN, 45 young women weight‐recovered from AN, and 68 age‐matched controls. Participants completed the Embedded Figures Task during an fMRI scan.

Results

There were no significant differences between the participant groups in performance accuracy or reaction time. There were no other between‐groups differences in neural response to the Embedded Figures Task.

Conclusions

These findings contrast with evidence from older adults demonstrating differences in the neural underpinning of central coherence amongst participants with AN versus control participants. The current study adds to an increasing literature base demonstrating the resilience of neuropsychological traits and associated brain systems in the early stages of AN.
Effect of characteristics of different wheat flours on the quality of fermented hollow noodles
Authors: Xiong Xiaoqing , Liu Chong , Song Mengkun , Zheng Xueling
Published: July 2021

Hollow noodles, also known as Kongxin noodles in China, are traditionally hand‐made noodles produced by spontaneous fermentation. It is easy to cook, nutrient‐rich, and delicious. However, it is difficult to realize industrial production by spontaneous fermentation due to its complexity. More recently, new techniques have emerged for producing such noodles industrially using commercial yeasts. However, there are no reports on how to choose the raw materials for making fermented hollow noodles. Therefore, the suitability of eleven local varieties of wheat flour was determined by evaluating their physicochemical, rheological properties, and pasting properties. Flour and dough properties of wheat flour were also correlated with the quality characteristics of hollow noodles. The correlation coefficient data indicated that the color score was negatively correlated with ash content and positively correlated with starch content. Different from ordinary dried noodles, a negative correlation was observed between cooking time (CT) and protein content. Water absorption (NWA) of hollow noodles was negatively affected by extensograph properties. Water absorption of flour (FWA) and extensibility (E) were found to be highly correlated to hollow rate (Hol‐R), indicating that these two indexes could predict the fermentation status of hollow noodles. Results showed that wheat flours with higher swelling index of glutenin (SIG), FWA, E, and pasting temperature (PT) had better dough fermentation power and stability and thus were beneficial to the production of high‐quality hollow noodles. This study provides a simple method for the industrial production of hollow noodles and provides a basis for the selection of raw materials for their production.
To what extent is male excess risk of advanced colorectal neoplasms explained by known risk factors? Results from a large German screening population
Authors: Niedermaier Tobias , Heisser Thomas , Gies Anton , Guo Feng , Amitay Efrat L. , Hoffmeister Michael , Brenner Hermann
Published: July 2021

Colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and prevalence of its precursors are substantially higher among males than among females in most countries but the reasons for the male excess risk are incompletely understood. We aimed to assess to what extent it is explained by known risk factors. Prevalence of advanced neoplasia (AN, ie, CRC or advanced adenoma) and CRC risk and preventive factors were ascertained among 15 985 participants of screening colonoscopy aged 55‐79 years in Germany. Logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) for the association between male sex and AN with and without adjustment for known risk and preventive factors. In age‐adjusted comparisons, men had 2‐fold increased risk for AN compared to women (OR = 1.98, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.79‐2.19). After comprehensive adjustment for medical, lifestyle and dietary factors, the OR was reduced to 1.52 (95% CI 1.30‐1.77), suggesting that these factors accounted for 47% of male excess risk. Male excess risk increased from proximal colon to distal colon and rectum, with age‐adjusted ORs (95% CI) of 1.63 (1.38‐1.91), 2.13 (1.85‐2.45) and 2.36 (1.95‐2.85), respectively, and with the proportion of excess risk explained by covariates being lower for AN in the rectum (26%) than for AN in the proximal (52%) or distal colon (46%). Male excess risk was somewhat lower (age‐adjusted OR 1.87) and explained excess risk was smaller (36%) when men were compared to women who never used hormone replacement therapy. In conclusion, most of the male excess risk and the potential to overcome it remain to be explored by further research.
Cutaneous metastasis emerging during chemotherapy and progressing during immunotherapy for urothelial carcinoma
Authors: Otsuka Isamu , Ueno Takashi , Terada Naoki , Mukai Shoichiro , Fukushima Tsuyoshi , Kiwaki Takumi , Nagano Masafumi
Published: July 2021

Introduction

Cutaneous metastasis of urothelial carcinoma is uncommon. We experienced a case of cutaneous metastasis that emerged during chemotherapy and progressed rapidly during immunotherapy for bladder tumor with lymph node metastasis.

Case presentation

A 77‐year‐old female patient received chemotherapy using gemcitabine and cisplatin for bladder urothelial carcinoma with para‐aortic and pelvic lymph node metastases (clinical stage T2N1M1). After eight courses of chemotherapy, skin rash appeared in the lower abdomen with leg edema caused by multiple lymphadenopathy. Skin biopsy revealed cutaneous metastasis of urothelial carcinoma. The cutaneous tumor progressed rapidly and the patient died 5 weeks after the start of second‐line pembrolizumab treatment.

Conclusion

A patient with cutaneous metastasis of urothelial carcinoma that emerged during chemotherapy had poor prognosis and lack of efficacy of an immune checkpoint inhibitor.
Echocardiography image segmentation using semi‐automatic numerical optimisation method based on wavelet decomposition thresholding
Authors: Kulkarni Pallavi , Madathil Deepa
Published: July 2021

We propose optimisation based algorithm using wavelet decomposition for segmentation of echocardiography images. The objective of the proposed method is to find an optimal threshold value for segmentation. This threshold value is used for separating the left ventricle by segmenting wavelet decomposed coefficients. The proposed method evaluates the optimal value of threshold using a nonlinear derivative free optimising algorithm. Its objective function is the contrast property of GLCM. The contrast would be highest at the correct position of the boundary between image regions. Accordingly, optimization task is formulated as a maximization problem. The proposed method is an iterative process for finding optimum threshold. Segmentation is carried out using this optimised threshold value. Further, the exact left ventricle contour is extracted using morphological operations and user provided location input. The proposed method is observed to be performing better and found to have 94% accuracy compared to ground truth labels.
Intra‐household health effects of irrigation in Southern Ghana*
Authors: Okyere Charles Yaw , Ankrah Daniel Adu , Ahene‐Codjoe Ama Asantewah
Published: July 2021

This article targets the empirical space of well‐defined theoretical and conceptual frameworks connecting irrigation to health outcomes but with limited evidence affected by observed and unobserved heterogeneity. Using a doubly robust estimator and panel data in Southern Ghana, the study finds that irrigation has mixed effects on health outcomes. The results show that there is no statistically significant increase in household and individual illness incidence, while that of malaria prevalence increases marginally for all individuals and substantially for children under 5 years. In contrast, the study finds a statistically significant increase in health status asvery healthyof all individuals, females and males. The analyses of the pathways show that there is a decrease in per capita bednets and self‐medication, while there are large improvements in health care financing and environmental quality. The overall findings suggest the possibility of irrigation leading to improvements in wellbeing, but this may come at the expense of increasing short‐term health challenges.
Detrimental or beneficial: Role of endothelial ENaC in vascular function
Authors: Zhang Jun , Yuan Hui‐Kai , Chen Shuo , Zhang Zhi‐Ren
Published: July 2021

In the past, it was believed that the expression of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) was restricted to epithelial tissues, such as the distal nephron, airway, sweat glands, and colon, where it is critical for sodium homeostasis. Over the past two decades, this paradigm has shifted due to the finding that ENaC is also expressed in various nonepithelial tissues, notably in vascular endothelial cells. In this review, the recent findings of the expression, regulation, and function of the endothelial ENaC (EnNaC) are discussed. The expression of EnNaC subunits is reported in a variety of endothelial cell lines and vasculatures, but this is controversial across different species and vessels and is not a universal finding in all vascular beds. The expression density of EnNaC is very faint compared to ENaC in the epithelium. To date, little is known about the regulatory mechanism of EnNaC. Through it can be regulated by aldosterone, the detailed downstream signaling remains elusive. EnNaC responds to increased extracellular sodium with the feedforward activation mechanism, which is quite different from the Na+ self‐inhibition mechanism of ENaC. Functionally, EnNaC was shown to be a determinant of cellular mechanics and vascular tone as it can sense shear stress, and its activation or insertion into plasma membrane causes endothelial stiffness and reduced nitric oxide production. However, in some blood vessels, EnNaC is essential for maintaining the integrity of endothelial barrier function. In this context, we discuss the possible reasons for the distinct role of EnNaC in vasculatures.
Pathogenetic mechanisms of septic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Wang Runze , Xu Yuerong , Fang Yexian , Wang Chiyao , Xue Yugang , Wang Fangfang , Cheng Jin , Ren He , Wang Jie , Guo Wangang , Liu Li , Zhang Mingming
Published: July 2021

Sepsis is a serious complication after infection, whose further development may lead to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and so on. It is an important cause of death in critically ill patients who suffered an infection. Sepsis cardiomyopathy is a common complication that exacerbates the prognosis of patients. At present, though the pathogenesis of sepsis cardiomyopathy is not completely clear, in‐depth study of the pathogenesis of sepsis cardiomyopathy and the discovery of its potential therapeutic targets may decrease the mortality of sepsis patients and bring clinical benefits. This article reviews mitochondrial dysfunction, mitophagy, oxidation stress, and other mechanisms in sepsis cardiomyopathy.
Extracellular vesicles in the development of organ‐specific metastasis
Authors: Urabe Fumihiko , Patil Kalyani , Ramm Grant A. , Ochiya Takahiro , Soekmadji Carolina
Published: July 2021

Distant organ metastasis, often termed as organotropic metastasis or metastatic organotropism, is a fundamental feature of malignant tumours and accounts for most cancer‐related mortalities. This process is orchestrated by many complex biological interactions and processes that are mediated by a combination of anatomical, genetic, pathophysiological and biochemical factors. Recently, extracellular vesicles (EVs) are increasingly being demonstrated as critical mediators of bi‐directional tumour‐host cell interactions, controlling organ‐specific infiltration, adaptation and colonization at the secondary site. EVs govern organotropic metastasis by modulating the pre‐metastatic microenvironment through upregulation of pro‐inflammatory gene expression and immunosuppressive cytokine secretion, induction of phenotype‐specific differentiation and recruitment of specific stromal cell types. This review discusses EV‐mediated metastatic organotropism in visceral (brain, lung, liver, and lymph node) and skeletal (bone) metastasis, and discusses how the pre‐metastatic education by EVs transforms the organ into a hospitable, tumour cell–friendly milieu that supports the growth of metastatic cells. Decoding the organ‐specific traits of EVs and their functions in organotropic metastasis is essential in accelerating the clinical application of EVs in cancer management.
On the relationship between ENSO diversity and the ENSO atmospheric teleconnection to high‐latitudes
Authors: Gushchina Daria , Kolennikova Maria , Dewitte Boris , Yeh Sang‐Wook
Published: July 2021

The El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) has experienced changes in its properties since the 1990s, particularly increased occurrence of Central Pacific El Niño events. These events have influenced atmospheric circulation in the mid to high‐latitudes of both hemispheres through atmospheric teleconnection. Here it is shown that, in the Northern Hemisphere, the planetary circulation response to the Eastern Pacific (EP) event in boreal winter is associated with Rossby waves propagating poleward and is mostly confined to the Pacific region, while the Central Pacific (CP) event induces a negative phase of Arctic Oscillation (AO)‐like circulation pattern at planetary scale. In the Southern Hemisphere (SH), the difference between the circulation patterns associated with the two types of El Niño in austral summer is rather small and the response of the tropospheric circulation consists of an Antarctic Oscillation (AAO)‐like negative phase pattern. In the SH, the circulation response to CP Niño lasts longer than that to EP Niño. In particular, during EP Niño the composite circulation anomalies reverse sign from austral summer to winter, which is not the case during CP event. This adds an interhemispheric asymmetry dimension to the ENSO atmospheric teleconnection in the high‐latitudes in relation to ENSO diversity. These changes in the circulation are associated with surface air‐temperature anomalies that have the potential to exacerbate observed long‐term trends. A subgroup of CMIP5 models that realistically simulate both ENSO nonlinearity (diversity) and the AO and AAO‐like patterns are analysed, showing that in the warmer climate, the circulation response in the high‐latitudes to both types of events is amplified in both hemispheres.
Alienation and authenticity in intangible cultural heritage tourism production
Authors: Zhang Yang , Lee Timothy J.
Published: July 2021

This study investigates the dialectical relationship between authenticity and alienation in intangible cultural heritage (ICH) tourism studies, based on an evaluation of the role cultural values play in the provision of tourism in China. Data were obtained via a multi‐phase, mixed‐method project derived from specific respondents. An examination of chorus tourism performances in the Zhaoxing Dong Villages allows for insight into the subjective authenticity of the practitioners of ICH performances. The study has implications for tourism marketing that seeks to understand the authenticity issues on the supply side of ICH tourism.