bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oriented polyaniline/poly‐l‐lactic acid/gelatin nanofiber scaffolds promote outgrowth of spiral ganglion neurons
Authors: Liu Li , Chen Mengyu , Zhang Junming , Li Haobo , Li Zhaoxia , Song Jianhao , Ma Shutao , Wang Yingjie , Lou Xiangxin
Published: November 2023

Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is caused by the loss of sensory hair cells (HCs) and/or connected spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs). The current clinical conventional treatment for SNHL is cochlear implantation (CI). The principle of CI is to bypass degenerated auditory HCs and directly electrically stimulate SGNs to restore hearing. However, the effectiveness of CI is limited when SGNs are severely damaged. In the present study, oriented nanofiber scaffolds were fabricated using electrospinning technology to mimic the SGN spatial microenvironment in the inner ear. Meanwhile, different proportions of polyaniline (PANI), poly‐l‐lactide (PLLA), gelatin (Gel) were composited to mimic the composition and mechanical properties of auditory basement membrane. The effects of oriented PANI/PLLA/Gel biomimetic nanofiber scaffolds for neurite outgrowth were analyzed. The results showed the SGNs grew in an orientation along the fiber direction, and the length of the protrusions increased significantly on PANI/PLLA/Gel scaffold groups. The 2% PANI/PLLA/Gel group showed best effects for promoting SGN adhesion and nerve fiber extension. In conclusion, the biomimetic oriented nanofiber scaffolds can simulate the microenvironment of SGNs as well as promote neurite outgrowth in vitro, which may provide a feasible research idea for SGN regeneration and even therapeutic treatments of SNHL in future.
Content and distribution of cyanogenic compounds in cassava roots and leaves in association with physiological age
Authors: Ospina María A. , Tran Thierry , Pizarro Monica , Luna Jorge , Salazar Sandra , Londoño Luis , Ceballos Hernan , Becerra Lopez‐Lavalle Luis A. , Dufour Dominique
Published: November 2023

Background

Cassava roots are widely consumed in tropical regions of Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Although the protein, vitamin, carotenoid, and mineral content in the leaves makes them a nutritionally attractive option, their consumption is limited due to their high levels of cyanogenic compounds (CCs). In this study, the CC content in different parts of the plant (leaves, storage root cortex, and parenchyma) was assessed at harvest for 50 landrace genotypes representative of cassava diversity in Latin America. The changes in CC in leaves at different physiological ages (3, 6, 9, and 11 months after planting) were also investigated.

Results

The average CC was higher in the cortex (804 ppm) and leaves (655 ppm) than in root parenchyma (305 ppm). Genotypes from different regions of Latin America, as identified by seven genetic diversity groups, differed significantly in CC levels. The Andean and Amazon groups had, respectively, the lowest (P = 0.0008) and highest (P < 0.0001) CC levels in all three parts of the plants. Cyanogenic compound concentrations were higher in leaves from young plants (P < 0.0001) and decreased with increasing physiological age.

Conclusion

The results help to guide the selection of parental lines with low CC levels for breeding and to contribute to the expanded use of cassava and its by‐products for food and feed. Cassava for fresh consumption, especially, requires varieties with low total CC content, especially in the root cortex and parenchyma. COL1108 (204, 213, and 174 ppm, respectively, in the parenchyma, cortex, and leaves) and PER297 (83, 238, and 299 ppm, respectively, in the parenchyma, cortex, and leaves) can fulfill this requirement. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Metabolite profiling reveals the influence of grapevine genetic distance on the chemical signature of juices
Authors: Gomez Hector Alonzo Gomez , Niederauer Guilherme Francio , Minatel Igor Otavio , Antunes Elisa Ribeiro Miranda , Carneiro Mara Junqueira , Sawaya Alexandra Christine Helena Frankland , Zanus Mauro Celso , Ritschel Patrícia Silva , Quecini Vera , Pereira Lima Giuseppina Pace , Marques Marcia Ortiz Mayo
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND

Yield, disease tolerance, and climate adaptation are important traits in grapevine genetic breeding programs. Selection for these characteristics causes unpredictable changes in primary and specialized metabolism, affecting the physicochemical properties and chemical composition of the berries and their processed products, juice, and wine. In this study, we investigated the influence of the genetic distance between grapevine genotypes on the chemical signatures of the juices, by integrating comprehensive metabolic profiling to genetic analyses.

RESULTS

The studied grapevine cultivars exhibited low genetic diversity. Breeding for agronomic traits promoted higher contents of soluble sugars, total phenolics, and anthocyanins in the juices. Untargeted juice metabolomics identified a total of 147 metabolites, consisting of 30 volatiles, 21 phenolics, and 96 ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (UHPLC‐MS) features. Juices from grapes of the most recent cultivars exhibited increased levels of trans‐resveratrol, catechin, and luteolin. The blend of volatiles from juices of later cultivars was also more complex, consisting of 29 distinct metabolites in ‘BRS Magna’. Grapes from ‘BRS Carmem’, an intermediate cultivar, gave the most divergent UHPLC‐MS juice profile.

CONCLUSION

Contents of soluble solids, total phenolics, and anthocyanins in grape juices were increased by controlled crosses and hybrid selection. Integrative analyses demonstrated that the juices’ metabolic profiles accurately represent the cultivars’ genetic distances. Juices from ‘BRS Violeta’ and ‘BRS Magna’ show relevant positive association with health‐related phenolics and a distinct set of odor volatiles, although these characteristics were specifically sought by breeding. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Response of soil CO2 emissions and water‐carbon use efficiency of winter wheat to different straw returning methods and irrigation scenarios
Authors: Liu Fuying , Gao Mingliang , Zhang Haoze , Yuan Huabin , Zong Rui , Liu Zhendong , Wei Shiyu , Li Quanqi
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND

The shortage of water resources and the increase of greenhouse gas emissions from soil seriously restrict the sustainable development of agriculture. Under the premise of ensuring a stable yield of winter wheat through a reasonable irrigation scenario, identifying a suitable straw returning method will have a positive effect on agricultural carbon sequestration and emission reduction in North China Plain.

RESULTS

Straw burying (SR) and straw mulching (SM) were adopted based on traditional tillage under in the winter wheat growing season of 2020–2021 and 2021–2022. Three irrigation scenarios were used for each straw returning method: no irrigation (I0), irrigation 60 mm at jointing stage (I1), and irrigation of 60 mm each at the jointing and heading stages (I2). Soil moisture, soil respiration rate, cumulative soil CO2 emissions, yield, water use efficiency (WUE) and soil CO2 emission efficiency (CEE) were mainly studied. The results showed that, compared to SM, SR improved the utilization of soil water and enhanced soil carbon sequestration. SR reduced soil respiration rate and cumulative soil CO2 emissions in two winter wheat growing seasons, and increased yield by increasing spike numbers. In addition, with an increase in the amount of irrigation, soil CO2 emissions and yield increased. Under SR‐I1 treatment, WUE and CEE were the highest. SR‐I1 increases crop yields at the same time as reducing soil CO2 emissions.

CONCLUSION

The combination of SR and irrigation 60 mm at jointing stage is a suitable straw returning irrigation scenario, which can improve water use and reduce soil CO2 emission in NCP. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Effects of dietary N‐carbamylglutamate supplementation on the modulation of microbiota and Th17/Treg balance‐related immune signaling after lipopolysaccharide challenge
Authors: Liu Guangmang , Zhang Ting , Liu Xinlian , Jia Gang , Zhao Hua , Chen Xiaoling , Zhang Ruinan , Wang Jing
Published: November 2023

Background

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of N‐carbamylglutamate (NCG) on piglets' growth performance and immune response, and to unravel the mechanisms of such effects. In a 2 × 2 factorial design including diet (with or without NCG) and immunological challenge (saline or lipopolysaccharide (LPS)), 24 piglets were randomly distributed into four groups. After being fed a basic diet or a NCG‐supplemented diet for 21 days, piglets were administered LPS or saline intraperitoneally.

Results

The results showed that NCG increased the average daily gain and average daily feed intake, and the feed conversion ratio of piglets, and alleviated the adverse effects of LPS stimulation on intestinal morphology. At the phylum level, NCG reversed the increase in the abundance of Firmicutes and the reduction in that of Actinomycete caused by LPS stimulation. At the genus level, NCG increased the abundance of Lactobacillus, Blautia, norank_Butyricicoccaceae, Subdoligranulum, and Ruminococcus_gauvreauii_group, and LPS decreased the abundance of Escherichia‐Shigella and Ruminococcus_gauvreauii_group. The short‐chain fatty acid content was increased by NCG, but LPS reduced its content. N‐Carbamylglutamate also inhibited significantly the LPS‐induced increase in the relative expression of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 3, related orphan receptor (RAR) c, and pro‐inflammatory cytokines, and the decrease in the relative expression of STAT5, forkhead box P3, IL‐10 and transforming growth factor beta 1 mRNA. A significant correlation was found between intestinal microbiota and inflammatory cytokines and short‐chain fatty acids.

Conclusion

N‐Carbamylglutamate can improve piglets' growth performance. It can also attenuate LPS‐induced intestinal inflammation by modulating microbiota and Th17/Treg balance‐related immune signaling pathways. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Multi‐objective optimization and its application in materials science
Authors: Shi Bofeng , Lookman Turab , Xue Dezhen
Published: November 2023

Optimizing more than one property is inevitable in designing new materials; however, some properties are usually improved at the expense of others. Multi‐objective optimization methods in engineering and computer science have proven to be an effective means to optimize several different properties simultaneously. Here, we reviewed these approaches including scalarization, evolutionary algorithms, and especially Bayesian optimization. Their promising applications to a number of materials problems are also discussed in the paper.
A systematic review of social rank perception and contribution to eating disorder psychopathology in individuals with eating disorders
Authors: Calissano Chiara , Thompson Alistair , Treasure Janet , Cardi Valentina , Ward Thomas
Published: November 2023

Social rank theory states that achieving enhanced social rank is an essential biosocial goal for human beings, with individuals considering themselves to be high or low social rank on the basis of how they perceive that others view them. High social rank is associated with assertiveness, competence, and talent, whereas low social rank is associated with feelings of defeat and inferiority and submissive behavior. This theory has been applied to understand the etiology and psychopathology of eating disorders (EDs). The objective of this narrative systematic review was to summarize existing literature exploring perceptions of social rank and related constructs (e.g., submissiveness and inferiority) in EDs, to shed light on how individuals with EDs perceive their social rank, and to examine the relationship between perceived social rank and ED psychopathology. A systematic search of cross‐sectional or longitudinal studies involving a clinical sample of individuals with EDs and using a validated measure of social rank or a related construct was conducted for studies published up to September 12, 2023 (PROSPERO, CRD42021227028). Five databases (Embase, Medline, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and PubMed) were systematically searched. Altogether, 1106 studies were included in the title and abstract screening. Seventeen studies (13 cross‐sectional, 3 prospective cohort studies, and 1 ecological momentary assessment study) were included in the analysis and data extraction. The methodological quality of the studies was rated as generally good. There was evidence that individuals with EDs perceive their social rank as lower compared with healthy controls (N = 5 studies) and present features indicative of perceptions of low social rank (N = 9 studies). The perception of being of low social rank was significantly associated with more severe ED psychopathology (N = 10 studies). The findings of the review are discussed alongside limitations, implications for treatment models, and directions for future research.
The molecular mechanism of naringin improving endometrial receptivity of OHSS rats
Authors: Yuan Lan , Li Yulin , Li Xueping , Mao Zhu , Liu Yi , Feng Chengzhi , Jiang Rongxing
Published: November 2023

Controlling ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) in the controlled ovarian hyperstimulation treatment is necessary to increase the implantation success rate. This study aimed to explore the effect of naringin on the endometrial receptivity of OHSS rats. Female rats were randomly assigned to six groups: Blank, model, low‐dose naringin (100 mg/kg/day), medium‐dose naringin (200 mg/kg/day), high‐dose naringin (400 mg/kg/day), and positive (0.18 mg/kg/day estradiol valerate) groups. Except for the blank group, rats established the OHSS model on Day 7, and their treatments were from Day 0 to 14, separately. Hematoxylin and eosin, immunohistochemical, and scanning electron microscopy were performed to detect the naringin effects on the endometrial receptivity of the OHSS model. Next, circRNAs transcriptome analysis was performed to screen circRNAs. Western blot analysis and real‐time quantitative PCR were used to verify it. Our study showed that naringin treatments increased embryo number, endometrial thickness, pinopodes number, and Ki67 expression in the OHSS rats. Moreover, the result of circRNAs transcriptome sequencing showed that naringin significantly inhibited the rnocirc_008140 expression in the OHSS rats and significantly inhibited the changes of 28 gene ontology terms and three Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways which were induced by OHSS. Abcc4 and Rps6ka5 genes were the enriched genes of those pathways. Finally, 24 miRNA target genes of rnocirc_008140 were predicted. Our study showed that naringin significantly improved the endometrial receptivity of OHSS rats to increase the embryo implantation success by reducing rnocirc_008140‐adsorbed miRNAs to regulate Abcc4 and Rps6ka5 expression.
Diffusional kurtosis time dependence and the water exchange rate for the multi‐compartment Kärger model
Authors: Jensen Jens H.
Published: November 2023

Purpose

To demonstrate an analytic formula giving the time dependence of the diffusional kurtosis for the Kärger model (KM) with an arbitrary number of exchanging compartments and its application in estimating the mean KM water exchange rate.

Theory and Methods

The general formula for the kurtosis is derived from a power series solution for the multi‐compartment KM. A lower bound on the exchange rate is established from the observation that the kurtosis is always a logarithmically convex function of time. Both the kurtosis time dependence and the lower bound are illustrated with numerical calculations. The lower bound is also applied to previously published data for the time dependence of the kurtosis in both brain and tumors.

Results

The kurtosis for the multi‐compartment KM is given by a sum in which each term is associated with an eigenvector of the exchange rate matrix. The lower bound is determined from the most negative value for the logarithmic derivative of the kurtosis with respect to time. In the cerebral cortex, the lower bound is found to vary from 15 to 76 s−1, depending on the experimental details, while for the tumors considered, it varies from 2 to 4 s−1.

Conclusion

The time dependence of the kurtosis for the multi‐compartment KM has a simple analytic solution that allows a lower bound for the mean KM water exchange rate to be determined directly from experiment. This may be useful in tissues with complex microstructure that is difficult to model explicitly.
Embracing Stretchable “Form Factor‐Free” Displays
Authors: Hong Jong‐Ho , Yoon Jangyeol , Kim Yongjo , Lee Changhee
Published: November 2023

Stretchable displays will offer a new level of convenience, versatility, and user experience.
Recent advances in porous nanomaterials‐based drug delivery systems for osteoarthritis
Authors: Çitoğlu Senem , Duran Hatice
Published: November 2023

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative disease that develops over time, characterized mainly by inflammatory joints, cartilage deterioration, and ultimately loss of normal joint function. Some of the limitations that restrict the effectiveness of current OA treatment procedures include minimal penetration of medications into cartilage and lack of vascularity, leading to insufficient bioavailability and systemic toxicity. To increase the effectiveness of treatment, it is necessary to create novel non‐invasive OA treatment techniques. Porous nanomaterials (PNMs) show great promise as sustained drug delivery systems (DDSs) due to their functionality, variable porosity, and high loading capacity. In addition, they can provide targeted drug delivery, facilitate controlled release of drugs, and prolong drug circulation and retention time while reducing adverse reactions and improving drug solubility. First, the current treatment methods and challenges are summarized. Subsequently, recent advances in DDSs for OA treatment based on PNMs with various pore sizes and structures are presented. Lastly, the parameters that affect the performance of DDSs are discussed by giving some suggestions for their design. The purpose of this review is to provide new insights into PNM‐based DDS design and to inspire readers to adopt the smart design of intra‐articular DDSs in the future.
Peristalsis prevents ureteral dilation
Authors: Kalayeh Kourosh , Fowlkes J. Brian , Xie Haotian , Schultz William W. , Sack Bryan S.
Published: November 2023

Purpose

The etiology of ureteral dilation in primary nonrefluxing, nonobstructing megaureters is still not well understood. Impaired ureteral peristalsis has been theorized as one of the contributing factors. However, ureteral peristalsis and its “normal” function is not well defined. In this study, using mathematical modeling techniques, we aim to better understand how ureteral peristalsis works. This is the first model to consider clinically observed, back‐and‐forth, cyclic wall longitudinal motion during peristalsis. We hypothesize that dysfunctional ureteral peristalsis, caused by insufficient peristaltic amplitudes (e.g., circular muscle dysfunction) and/or lack of ureteral wall longitudinal motion (e.g., longitudinal muscle dysfunction), promotes peristaltic reflux (i.e., retrograde flow of urine during an episode of peristalsis) and may result in urinary stasis, urine accumulation, and consequent dilation.

Methods

Based on lubrication theory in fluid mechanics, we developed a two‐dimensional (planar) model of ureteral peristalsis. In doing so, we treated ureteral peristalsis as an infinite train of sinusoidal waves. We then analyzed antegrade and retrograde flows in the ureter under different bladder–kidney differential pressure and peristalsis conditions.

Results

There is a minimum peristaltic amplitude required to prevent peristaltic reflux. Ureteral wall longitudinal motion decreases this minimum required amplitude, increasing the nonrefluxing range of peristaltic amplitudes. As an example, for a normal bladder–kidney differential pressure of 5 cmH2O, ureteral wall longitudinal motion increases nonrefluxing range of peristaltic amplitude by 65%. Additionally, ureteral wall longitudinal motion decreases refluxing volumetric flow rates. For a similar normal bladder pressure example of 5 cmH2O, refluxing volumetric flow rate decreases by a factor of 18. Finally, elevated bladder pressure, not only increases the required peristaltic amplitude for reflux prevention but it increases maximum refluxing volumetric flow rates. For the case without wall longitudinal motion, as bladder–kidney differential pressure increases from 5 to 40 cmH2O, minimum required peristaltic amplitude to prevent reflux increases by 40% while the maximum refluxing volumetric flow rate increases by approximately 100%.

Conclusion

The results presented in this study show how abnormal ureteral peristalsis, caused by the absence of wall longitudinal motion and/or lack of sufficient peristaltic amplitudes, facilitates peristaltic reflux and retrograde flow. We theorize that this retrograde flow can lead to urinary stasis and urine accumulation in the ureters, resulting in ureteral dilation seen on imaging studies and elevated infection risk. Our results also show how chronically elevated bladder pressures are more susceptible to such refluxing conditions that could lead to ureteral dilation.
Prognostic impact of pre‐referral tumor resection in unilateral Wilms tumor: A single‐institute experience from a lower middle‐income country
Authors: Khan Muhammad Saghir , Maaz Ata Ur Rehman , Qazi Abid Quddus , Aslam Sophia , Riaz Shazia , Malik Ayesha Saeed , Shaheen Najma
Published: November 2023

Introduction

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the prognostic impact of pre‐referral surgical resection of Wilms tumor (WT) performed at non‐oncology centers, and to strategize an improved care plan for this very curable pediatric tumor.

Methods

In this study conducted in a large pediatric cancer center in Pakistan, we retrospectively reviewed the electronic medical records (EMR) of 149 patients with unilateral WT from September 2008 to August 2017. Based on treatment approach, patients were categorized into two groups: (i) pre‐referral tumor resection (PTR: n = 75), and (ii) post‐neoadjuvant chemo nephrectomy (PCN: n = 74).

Results

The proportion of metastatic disease in PTR and PCN groups was 33.3% and 35.1%, respectively. In the PTR subset, median time to admission after PTR was 5 weeks (mean 11, SEM 2.8, range: 2–202) weeks, with 53.3% (n = 40) presenting more than 4 weeks after PTR. Twenty patients had no cross‐sectional imaging prior to PTR and underwent surgery after abdominal ultrasound only. On baseline imaging at our center, 58.7% (n = 44) of the PTR group had radiologically evaluable disease (four metastases only, 19 local residual tumor only, 21 both localized tumor and visible metastases). Disease staging was uncertain in 23 patients because of no or inadequate histology specimens and/or lymph node sampling in patients with no evaluable disease. Statistically significant differences were recorded for the two subsets regarding tumor volume, extent and nodularity, renal vein and renal sinus involvement, lymph node status, tumor rupture and histopathologic features, and tumor stage, with a 10‐year event‐free survival (EFS) for PCN and PTR of 74.3% and 50.7%, respectively (p < .001). In the PTR group, EFS for those presenting within 4 weeks and later was 91.4% versus 15.0%, respectively (p < .0001).

Conclusion

Suboptimal pre‐referral surgical intervention results in poor survival outcomes in unilateral WT. Our findings highlight the need for a comprehensive action plan for educating healthcare professionals engaged in WT diagnosis and referral process. PCN in a multidisciplinary team approach can reduce surgical morbidity and seems to be a better strategy to improve the survival rates in low‐resource settings.
High filler content acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene composites containing tungsten and bismuth oxides for effective lead‐free x‐ray radiation shielding
Authors: Olivieri Federico , Avolio Roberto , Gentile Gennaro , Mazzone Annamaria , Rizzi Rosanna , Nacucchi Michele , Castaldo Rachele , Errico Maria Emanuela , Giannini Cinzia , Ambrosio Luigi , Lavorgna Marino
Published: November 2023

Acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene (ABS) based composites with a high content of tungsten and bismuth oxide were developed using an innovative process to obtain lead‐free x‐ray shielding materials. ABS was chosen for its good mechanical properties and its widespread availability as a recycled material. The composites underwent flexural tests, Shore D hardness tests, thermogravimetric and morphological analysis, and their x‐ray attenuation properties were determined through numerical simulations and experimental measurements. Despite their high filler content (up to 75 wt%), the composites showed good filler dispersion within the polymeric matrix and maintained their mechanical properties. Across the investigated energy range (50–150 kV), the lead equivalence for x‐ray shielding was achieved with composite plates containing 75 wt% of tungsten and bismuth oxide, at thickness values corresponding to a weight increase of only 29% and 36%, respectively, in comparison to lead. These findings pave the way for a new generation of lead‐free x‐ray shielding materials. Moreover, their mechanical properties, including flexibility for potential application in wearable personal protective equipment, can be tailored by adjusting the filler content.

Highlights

High filler content lead‐free ABS composites with WO3 and Bi2O3 were developed.

They show good polymer/filler interfacial adhesion and flexural properties.

Numerical simulations of their x‐ray shielding properties were performed.

Experimental tests with polychromatic sources confirmed good x‐ray attenuation.

Results pave the way for the development of new lead‐free x‐ray shielding systems.
Performance and durability of electrically conductive tape for shingled Si heterojunction technology cells
Authors: Hacke Peter , Miller David C. , Pierpont Daniel , Wu Tianyu
Published: November 2023

Electrically conductive tape (ECT) was characterized and used to assemble shingled cell strings at low temperature to achieve high reliability Pb‐ and Ag‐free interconnections. The volume resistivity for two considered ECTs are 0.13 ± 0.06 mΩ·cm and 0.47 ± 0.20 mΩ·cm and specific contact resistances, 6.85± 2.00 mΩ·cm2 and 6.30 ± 0.37 mΩ·cm2 using the emerging IEC 62788‐8‐1 Technical Specification for assessment of electrically conductive adhesives (ECA). Durability and performance of the technology in glass–glass mini modules were evaluated with temperature cycling, damp heat testing, and combined‐accelerated stress testing (CAST). Through temperature cycling (−40°C to 85°C) applying five times the mini module short‐circuit current in forward bias and in the multi climate CAST protocol, there was negligible degradation of fill factor after replacing connectors at the modules' cable leads; however, CAST resulted in short circuit current loss attributed to degradation in light collection by the cells, not the ECT. The IEC 61215‐2 85°C, 85% relative humidity damp heat testing showed susceptibility of the HJT cells to effects of humidity in the electroluminescence intensity around the module perimeter that degraded power performance by 4% (relative). Contrasting the IEC 61215‐2 qualification testing‐based damp heat testing with CAST, factors such as the optical stress of CAST may precipitate the degradation of the modules whereas the humidity levels and duration of IEC 61215‐2 damp heat testing may lead to excessive levels of humidity diffused into the modules, potentially resulting in degradation that is unrepresentative of the field.
Harmful communication behaviors in cancer care: A systematic review of patients and family caregivers perspectives
Authors: Westendorp Janine , Geerse Olaf P. , van der Lee Marije L. , Schoones Jan W. , van Vliet Milon H. M. , Wit Tamara , Evers Andrea W. M. , van Vliet Liesbeth M.
Published: November 2023

Objective

Issues regarding clinician communication remain an important source of complaints within healthcare. This systematic review aims to determine cancer patients' and their family caregivers' views on which clinicians' communication behaviors can harm (i.e. eliciting negative feelings/consequences for patients/family caregivers).

Methods

We searched for all types of peer‐reviewed studies that determined adult (≥18 years) cancer patients' and/or family caregivers' perspectives on which clinicians' communication behaviors can harm in several databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Emcare, PsycINFO and Academic Search Premier), supplemented by expert‐consultation. Studies were screened using the Artificial intelligence screening tool of ASReview and data was analyzed using Thematic Analysis. To assess the quality of the studies the Qualsyst critical appraisal tool was used.

Results

A total of 47 studies were included. Four main themes of harmful communication behaviors were identified: (1) Lack of tailored information provision (e.g. giving too little or too much/specific information) (2) Lack of tailored decision making (ranging from; patient exclusion, to the patients' responsibility, and/or haste) (3) Lack of feeling seen and heard (seen as a disease, not as a human being; not listened to concerns and emotions) (4) Lack of feeling held and remembered (forgotten agreements; lack of care continuity).

Conclusions

Our results reveal an overview of patients' and family caregivers' perspectives on which clinicians' communication behaviors can harm. Harm could be prevented when information and decision involvement are tailored and patients' and family caregivers' needs to feelseen, heard, heldandrememberedare met.
Urinary microbiota is associated to clinicopathological features in benign prostatic hyperplasia
Authors: Mariotti Antonio C. H. , Heidrich Vitor , Inoue Lilian T. , Coser Elisangela M. , dos Santos Ernande X. , dos Santos Hugo D. B. , Rocha Carolina B. T. , Asprino Paula F. , Bettoni Fabiana , Bastos Diogo A. , Jardim Denis L. F. , Camargo Anamaria A. , Arap Marco A.
Published: November 2023

Background

The urinary microbiota of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) has been associated with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), however, little is known about urinary microbiota correlations with clinicopathological parameters associated with BPH. Here, we investigate associations between the urinary microbiota and clinical parameters of patients with BPH undergoing surgery.

Methods

Forty‐one patients with BPH undergoing surgery were recruited from two medical centers. Catheterized urine specimens were collected and the microbiota was characterized by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Patients were segregated into two groups according to each clinical parameter and differences in urinary microbiota diversity and composition were evaluated.

Results

Higher prostate weight and prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) levels were associated with higher alpha diversity in the urinary microbiota of BPH patients. At the specific microbe level, we found that the greater the prostatic weight, the lower the relative abundance of Streptococcus, while the greater the PSA levels, the higher the abundance of Lactobacillus. Treatment with 5‐α‐reductase inhibitor was associated with overall urinary microbiota composition, in part due to a higher abundance of Corynebacterium and Anaerococcus in this group.

Conclusions

We demonstrated that the urinary microbiota of BPH patients is associated with clinicopathological features, paving the way for larger studies in which causality between urinary microbiota and BPH can be appropriately explored.
Understanding Growth‐Faulted GaAsBi Samples by Reflectance Anisotropy Spectroscopy
Authors: Bonanni Beatrice , Fazi Laura , Tisbi Elisa , Arciprete Fabrizio , Goletti Claudio
Published: November 2023

Reflectance anisotropy spectroscopy (RAS) has been recently applied to molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) of GaAsBi alloys. The presence of the voluminous Bi atoms induces strain in the crystal lattice, modifying the substrate symmetry of the centrosymmetric GaAs(001) and then producing clear signatures in the anisotropy spectra of the GaAsBi layers. In particular, the amplitude of the characteristic structure measured below 2.5 eV is shown to be directly related to the Bi concentration, while the sign has a meaningful correlation to the strain conditions present in the sample. In this article, the application of RAS is extended to “faulted” GaAsBi samples, i.e., samples that after growth result not satisfactory for research because of problems or errors risen during the complex deposition process (wrong growth temperature, excess or deficiency of Bi flux, formation of dislocations, etc.). Herein, it is demonstrated that also in these cases RAS offers a useful characterization of the sample, possibly (if RAS runs during the deposition) singling out the occurrence of faults eventuality, and thus validating its potential applicability to an all‐optical real‐time monitoring of the deposition process.
An automated apple harvesting robot—From system design to field evaluation
Authors: Zhang Kaixiang , Lammers Kyle , Chu Pengyu , Li Zhaojian , Lu Renfu
Published: November 2023

Decreased availability and rising cost in labor poses a serious threat to the long‐term profitability and sustainability of the apple industry in the United States and many other countries. Harvest automation is thus urgently needed. In this paper, we present the unified system design and field evaluation of a new apple harvesting robot. The robot is mainly composed of a specially designed perception component, a four‐degree‐of‐freedom manipulator, an improved vacuum‐based soft end‐effector, and a dropping/catching component to receive and transport picked fruits. Software algorithms are developed to enable synergistic coordination of the hardware components for efficient, automated harvesting of apples in challenging orchard environments. Specifically, by integrating modified triangulation and image processing and analysis algorithms, a novel perception strategy is developed to achieve robust apple detection and precise localization. Improved planning and control algorithms are developed to guide the robot to the target positions. The performance of the robotic system was evaluated through field tests in two apple orchards with different tree architectures and foliage conditions. In the orchard where trees were young and well‐pruned, the robot achieved 82.4% successful harvesting rate. In a second, older orchard with dense, clustered branches and foliage, the robot had 65.2% successful rate. The average cycle time to harvest a fruit was approximately 6 s, which included software algorithm processing and hardware execution. Moreover, through an in‐depth analysis of the obtained results, limitations and planned future works are discussed.
Same owner, different impact: How responses to performance feedback differ across a private equity investor's portfolio firms
Authors: Collewaert Veroniek , Neckebrouck Jeroen , Vanacker Tom , Bourgois Dries , Manigart Sophie
Published: November 2023

Research Summary

Private equity (PE) investors invest in a portfolio of firms, setting new, ambitious performance aspirations and providing monitoring and value‐adding services to help management attain these aspirations. Integrating a behavioral theory of the firm and corporate governance perspective, this study investigates how portfolio firms respond to performance feedback, considering heterogeneity in PE investors' incentives and influence toward a given portfolio firm's strategic actions. Using unique data from a PE investor including direct aspirations measures, we find that (1) portfolio firms' performance relative to aspirations, and (2) the PE investor's relative investment amounts and experience of PE‐appointed board members, interact to affect the distinct growth strategies (i.e., internal capital investments or external acquisitions) its portfolio firms pursue.

Managerial Summary

A PE investor may guide its portfolio firms differently. Incentives to intervene should be larger in case of larger investments, and influence should be more extensive in case of more senior PE board representatives. In this study, we examine how a PE investor's varying incentives and influence affect how PE‐backed firms strategically react to underperformance and overperformance. We find that a PE investor pushes for capital investments but deters acquisitions as performance shortfalls increase in a portfolio firm, when they have made larger investments and appointed more senior board members. In case of overperformance, a PE investor pushes toward acquisitions (and against capital investments) when they have invested more. Surprisingly, the opposite holds in case of more senior board members.
MERIT: Controlling Monte‐Carlo error rate in large‐scale Monte‐Carlo hypothesis testing
Authors: Li Yunxiao , Hu Yi‐Juan , Satten Glen A.
Published: November 2023

The use of Monte‐Carlo (MC) ‐values when testing the significance of a large number of hypotheses is now commonplace. In large‐scale hypothesis testing, we will typically encounter at least some ‐values near the threshold of significance, which require a larger number of MC replicates than ‐values that are far from the threshold. As a result, some incorrect conclusions can be reached due to MC error alone; for hypotheses near the threshold, even a very large number (eg, ) of MC replicates may not be enough to guarantee conclusions reached using MC ‐values. Gandy and Hahn (GH)6‐8 have developed the only method that directly addresses this problem. They defined a Monte‐Carlo error rate (MCER) to be the probability that any decisions on accepting or rejecting a hypothesis based on MC ‐values are different from decisions based on ideal ‐values; their method then makes decisions by controlling the MCER. Unfortunately, the GH method is frequently very conservative, often making no rejections at all and leaving a large number of hypotheses “undecided”. In this article, we propose MERIT, a method for large‐scale MC hypothesis testing that also controls the MCER but is more statistically efficient than the GH method. Through extensive simulation studies, we demonstrate that MERIT controls the MCER while making more decisions that agree with the ideal ‐values than GH does. We also illustrate our method by an analysis of gene expression data from a prostate cancer study.
Accelerating genetic gains for quantitative resistance to verticillium wilt through predictive breeding in strawberry
Authors: Feldmann Mitchell J. , Pincot Dominique D. A. , Vachev Mishi V. , Famula Randi A. , Cole Glenn S. , Knapp Steven J.
Published: November 2023

Verticillium wilt (VW), a devastating vascular wilt disease of strawberry (Fragaria ananassa), has caused economic losses for nearly a century. This disease is caused by the soil‐borne pathogen Verticillium dahliae, which occurs nearly worldwide and causes disease in numerous agriculturally important plants. The development of VW‐resistant cultivars is critically important for the sustainability of strawberry production. We previously showed that a preponderance of the genetic resources (asexually propagated hybrid individuals) preserved in public germplasm collections were moderately to highly susceptible and that genetic gains for increased resistance to VW have been negligible over the last 60 years. To more fully understand the challenges associated with breeding for increased quantitative resistance to this pathogen, we developed and phenotyped a training population of hybrids () among elite parents with a wide range of resistance phenotypes. When these data were combined with training data from a population of elite and exotic hybrids (), genomic prediction accuracies of 0.47–0.48 were achieved and were predicted to explain 70%–75% of the additive genetic variance for resistance. We concluded that breeding values for resistance to VW can be predicted with sufficient accuracy for effective genomic selection with routine updating of training populations.
Genetic dissection of domestication traits in interspecific chickpea populations
Authors: Newman Toby E. , Jacques Silke , Grime Christy , Mobegi Fredrick M. , Kamphuis Fiona L. , Khentry Yuphin , Lee Robert , Kamphuis Lars G.
Published: November 2023

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum) is a pulse crop that provides an integral source of nutrition for human consumption. The close wild relatives Cicer reticulatum and Cicer echinospermum harbor untapped genetic diversity that can be exploited by chickpea breeders to improve domestic varieties. Knowledge of genomic loci that control important chickpea domestication traits will expedite the development of improved chickpea varieties derived from interspecific crosses. Therefore, we set out to identify genomic loci underlying key chickpea domestication traits by both association and quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping using interspecific F2 populations. Diverse phenotypes were recorded for various agronomic traits. A total of 11 high‐confidence markers were detected on chromosomes 1, 3, and 7 by both association and QTL mapping; these were associated with growth habit, flowering time, and seed traits. Furthermore, we identified candidate genes linked to these markers, which advanced our understanding of the genetic basis of domestication traits and validated known genes such as the FLOWERING LOCUS gene cluster that regulates flowering time. Collectively, this study has elucidated the genetic basis of chickpea domestication traits, which can facilitate the development of superior chickpea varieties.
Application of cosmic‐ray neutron probes for measuring soil moisture in rocky areas of the Taihang Mountains, North China
Authors: Zhang Zhihua , Ou Huidi , Shi Yuefeng , Ye Youliang , Sang Yuqiang , Zhang Siyi , Zhang Jinsong
Published: November 2023

The cosmic‐ray neutron probe (CRNP) is a mesoscale and noninvasive method for measuring soil moisture and has been widely studied and applied. However, studies of its applicability in rocky mountainous areas are still challenging in complex topography and high gravel content. In this study, a field experiment was carried out to assess the applicability of the CRNP for measuring soil moisture in rocky areas of Taihang Mountains of North China. The results showed that the Pearson correlation coefficient and the root mean square error between the soil moisture from CRNP and the drying method are 0.911 and 0.025 m3 m−3, respectively, indicating that the CRNP can estimate the average soil moisture well in the study area. Compared with the capacitive sensor, the CRNP overestimated soil moisture when small rainfall events occurred, which was caused by the interception of canopy and litter. The nonlinear weighting method performed better than the linear weighting method in representing average soil moisture within the CRNP footprint. The high gravel content that contained high lattice water content reduced the penetration depth of CRNP. Biomass reduces the accuracy of the CRNP by affecting the neutron intensity. In summary, CRNP can measure soil moisture accurately in rocky areas of the Taihang Mountains, especially in dry environments with low biomass.
Efficacy of artificial nest shading as a climate change adaptation measure for marine turtles at Ascension Island
Authors: Wiggins Jack , Baum Diane , Broderick Annette C. , Capel Tobias , Colman Liliana P. , Hunt Toby , Simmons Daisy Lomas , McGurk James , Mortlock Lucy , Nightingale Rebecca , Weber Nicola , Weber Sam B.
Published: November 2023

Successful embryonic development and offspring sex ratios of marine turtles are determined by thermal conditions experienced during incubation, rendering them potentially vulnerable to anthropogenic climate change. With the rate of projected temperature rises likely to outpace the adaptive capacity of long‐lived species such as marine turtles, there is growing interest in management interventions aimed at mitigating the effects of climate change at nesting grounds. In this study, we experimentally tested the impacts of artificial nest shading on the incubation temperature, hatching success, and predicted offspring sex ratio of green turtle (Chelonia mydas) clutches at Ascension Island. Clutches (n = 97) were sampled from 2 nesting beaches with naturally contrasting thermal environments (one hot; one cool) and either left as in situ controls or relocated to shaded or unshaded hatcheries on their beach of origin. Compared to unshaded experimental clutches, shading reduced mean incubation temperatures and sex‐determining temperatures (i.e., middle third of embryonic development) by 0.5–0.9°C and 0.5–1.2°C respectively, with the reduction being greater on the hotter beach. Shading also differentially affected hatchling output across the 2 sites: on the hot beach, shading significantly improved hatching success by ~23% but had minimal effects on offspring sex ratio; whereas on the cooler beach, shading did not impact hatching success but resulted in ~12% more male offspring. Interestingly, mean incubation temperatures of in situ controls did not differ significantly from shaded clutches, and were significantly cooler than unshaded experimental clutches, suggesting relocation may have negated some of the benefits of shading. Our results demonstrated that artificial shading may be a viable approach for partially offsetting climate change impacts on nesting marine turtles; however, scalability will be a major challenge in achieving conservation objectives at high‐density nesting sites like Ascension Island.
Construction of A sqc6 Topology Ni‐Gd Framework Employing 2,2’‐Phosphinico‐dibenzoate and Oxalate: Structure and Magnetic Properties
Authors: Tan Ning , Chen Wen‐Gen , Wu Pengcheng , Wang Zhao‐Xi
Published: November 2023

A 3d–4f heterometallic compound, namely [Ni6GdL4(ox)(H2O)12]⋅[NO3]⋅14.5H2O (1) (L=2,2’‐phosphinico‐dibenzoate and ox=oxalate), was obtained by self‐assembly of nickel nitrate, gadolinium nitrate, oxalic acid, and 2,2’‐phosphinico‐dibenzoic acid (H3L). Such compound has been structurally characterized via single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis and infrared spectroscopy. This compound features a basic unit of {Ni4Gd} clusters and 2,2’‐phosphinico‐dibenzoate ligands. Each unit is connected by another Ni2+ through the axial coordination of benzoate oxygen to form a layer. Meanwhile, each oxalate ligand bridges the expanded Ni4Gd‐Ni4 net, constructing a 3‐D framework. From the viewpoint of network topology, this compound can be simplified as a sqc6 topology. Magnetic analysis shows ferromagnetic interactions between the Ni(II) and Gd(III) centers in Ni4Gd nodes and antiferromagnetic coupling with oxalate bridges in this compound.
Precautionary Heuristic Management and Learning for Data-Poor Fisheries
Authors: Murray Jason H. , Carson Richard T.
Published: November 2023

Fisheries are subject to multiple forms of uncertainty. One of these, parameter uncertainty, has been largely ignored in the fisheries economics literature even though it is known elsewhere (e.g., macroeconomics) to play an important role in models with a similar structure. Parameter uncertainty is particularly important when data series are relatively short. Managing a fishery with incorrect parameter values for the growth function can lead to collapse. The paper models management of a renewable resource with unknown growth parameters and simulates estimation of the key parameters of the growth equation as the amount of data increases. This exercise demonstrates that, when data is sparse, a simple heuristic form of management can result in reasonable rents from the fishery, improve estimation of the growth parameters in future periods, and reduce the probability that the fishery will collapse.