bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Photoredox‐Catalyzed Simultaneous Olefin Hydrogenation and Alcohol Oxidation over Crystalline Porous Polymeric Carbon Nitride
Authors: Qiu Chuntian , Sun Yangyang , Xu Yangsen , Zhang Bing , Zhang Xu , Yu Lei , Su Chenliang
Published: June 2021

Booming of photocatalytic water splitting technology (PWST) opens a new avenue for the sustainable synthesis of high‐value‐added hydrogenated and oxidized fine chemicals, in which the design of efficient semiconductors for the in‐situ and synergistic utilization of photogenerated redox centers are key roles. Herein, a porous polymeric carbon nitride (PPCN) with a crystalline backbone was constructed for visible light‐induced photocatalytic hydrogen generation by photoexcited electrons, followed by in‐situ utilization for olefin hydrogenation. Simultaneously, various alcohols were selectively transformed to valuable aldehydes or ketones by photoexcited holes. The porosity of PPCN provided it with a large surface area and a short transfer path for photogenerated carriers from the bulk to the surface, and the crystalline structure facilitated photogenerated charge transfer and separation, thus enhancing the overall photocatalytic performance. High reactivity and selectivity, good functionality tolerance, and broad reaction scope were achieved by this concerted photocatalysis system. The results contribute to the development of highly efficient semiconductor photocatalysts and synergistic redox reaction systems based on PWST for high‐value‐added fine chemical production.
Chaotic Grey Wolf Optimization‐based resource allocation for Vehicle‐to‐Everything communications
Authors: Brahmi Ibtissem , Hamdi Monia , Zarai Faouzi
Published: June 2021

Device‐to‐device (D2D) enables direct communication between Vehicle‐to‐Everything (V2X) devices. For V2X communications, efficient power control and radio sub‐channel allocation schemes are expected to accommodate the growing demand for data traffic of the increasing number of vehicular devices. We propose to investigate the resource allocation problem for V2X networks. We categorize vehicle user equipment (VUEs) into safety and non‐safety VUEs and cellular user equipment (CUEs) into real‐time and non‐real‐time CUEs according to their communication types. The objective of the proposed model is to maximize the total throughput of the system while maintaining quality of service (QoS) for CUEs and VUEs. Chaotic Grey Wolf Optimization (CGWO) algorithm, a meta‐heuristic and evolutionary algorithm, is used to solve the resource allocation problem in V2X communications. Finally, comparisons between the proposed scheme and two other meta‐heuristic algorithms, namely, Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and GWO for resource allocation, are carried out. The simulation results prove the effectiveness and performance of the proposed scheme in terms of resource allocation for V2X. They also demonstrate that CGWO‐based resource allocation scheme outperforms both PSO‐based and GWO‐based resource allocation schemes in terms of total achieved throughput.
Xanthatin inhibits human colon cancer cells progression via mTOR signaling mediated energy metabolism alteration
Authors: Li Lingli , Liu Ping , Xie Yanbo , Liu Yunxiao , Chen Zhaolin , Geng Yadi , Zhang Lei
Published: June 2021

Tumor cells exhibit higher glycolysis and rely on abnormal energy metabolism to produce ATP, which is essential for cell proliferation and migration. Abnormal energy metabolism inhibition is considered a promising tumor treatment strategy. Xanthatin is an active sesquiterpene lactone isolated from Xanthium strumarium L. This study evaluated the effect of xanthatin on the energy metabolism of human colon cancer cells. The results showed that xanthatin significantly inhibited the migration and invasion of human HT‐29 and HCT‐116 colon cancer cells. We found that xanthatin effectively reduced the production of ATP and promoted the accumulation of lactate. Xanthatin inhibited glycolysis which may be related to the reduction of glucose transporter 1 (Glut1) and monocarboxylate transporter 4 (MCT4) mRNA and protein levels. Concomitantly, xanthatin promoted complex II activity and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), resulting in mitochondrial damage and cell death in HT‐29 cells. Furthermore, xanthatin inhibited the phosphorylation of mTOR, the phosphorylation of 4E‐binding protein 1 (4E‐BP1) and c‐myc in HT‐29 cells. Moreover, rapamycin, a mTOR inhibitor, could enhance the cytotoxicity effect in xanthatin treated HT‐29 cells. Additionally, HT‐29 cells transfected with si‐mTOR aggravated xanthatin induced cell viability inhibition. Based on these results, we observed that the effect of xanthatin on energy metabolism may be related to its inhibition of the mTOR signaling pathway. Collectively, this study provides important insights into xanthatin's anticancer effect, which occurs by regulation of the energy metabolism of human colon cancer cells, and suggest that xanthatin has potential as a botanical drug against abnormal tumor energy metabolism.
Sox14 is essential for initiation of neuronal differentiation in the chick spinal cord
Authors: Katsuyama Taiki , Kadoya Minori , Shirai Manabu , Sasai Noriaki
Published: June 2021

Background

The neural tube comprises several different types of progenitors and postmitotic neurons that co‐ordinately act with each other to play integrated functions. Its development consists of two phases: proliferation of progenitor cells and differentiation into postmitotic neurons. How progenitor cells differentiate into each corresponding neuron is an important question for understanding the mechanisms of neuronal development.

Results

Here we introduce one of the Sox transcription factors, Sox14, which plays an essential role in the promotion of neuronal differentiation. Sox14 belongs to the SoxB2 subclass and its expression starts in the progenitor regions before neuronal differentiation is initiated at the trunk level of the neural tube. After neuronal differentiation is initiated, Sox14 expression gradually becomes confined to the V2a region of the neural tube, where Chx10 is co‐expressed. Overexpression of Sox14 restricts progenitor cell proliferation. Conversely, the blockade of Sox14 expression by the RNAi strategy inhibits V2a neuron differentiation and causes expansion of the progenitor domain. We further found that Sox14 acted as a transcriptional activator.

Conclusions

Sox14 acts as a modulator of cell proliferation and is essential for initiation of neuronal differentiation in the chick neural tube.
The (un)discovering of ecology by Alaska Native ecologists
Authors: Smythe Wendy F. , Peele Sarah
Published: June 2021

When do Native students discover ecology and what factors contribute to the low enrollment of diverse students? Addressing such questions is crucial for diversifying science disciplines and the workforce of ecology and geoscience disciplines. Field sciences such as ecology have notably low enrollment of students from underrepresented groups, such as Black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx, and Native American or Alaska Natives. Here we discuss the factors that affect Native students and provide strategies to improve recruitment and retention of Native students in the sciences.
Associations of weight‐ or shape‐related bullying with diverse disordered eating behaviors in adolescents
Authors: Day Sinead , Bussey Kay , Trompeter Nora , Hay Phillipa , Lonergan Alexandra , Mitchison Deborah
Published: June 2021

Objective

Little research has investigated variables affecting the relationship between weight‐ or shape‐related bullying (WSB) and specific forms of disordered eating in adolescence. This study aimed to examine the relationship between WSB and eating disorder behaviors in Australian adolescents, and whether this relationship was moderated by body image attitudes.

Method

Data were used from the first wave of the EveryBODY study, a survey of body image concerns and eating disorders in a large representative sample of Australian adolescents (N = 573), aged 11–19 years. Participants completed an online survey with measures of WSB frequency, body image attitudes (drives for thinness, leanness, and muscularity), and disordered eating behaviors.

Results

Results indicated that frequency of WSB was positively associated with purging and muscularity‐oriented behavior (MOB), but not dietary restriction, binge eating, or compulsive exercise. The relationship between WSB and MOB was moderated by drive for muscularity, such that victimization frequency was positively associated with MOB for those with high, but not low, desire to attain a muscular physique.

Discussion

Findings indicate that WSB is positively associated with purging and MOB but not other eating disorder behaviors, and that drive for muscularity moderates its effect on some behaviors. Understanding these relationships will be important in implementing tailored interventions for adolescents based on screening for victimization experiences and specific body image attitudes.
Common Buzzards wintering strategies as an effect of weather conditions and geographic barriers
Authors: Baltag Emanuel Stefan , Kovacs Istvan , Sfîcă Lucian
Published: June 2021

Aim

Migration is a constantly changing adaptation due to the climate condition evolution. The struggle for surviving during harsh winter season is different across Europe, being more complex toward the inner parts of the continent. The current approach explores the Common Buzzard number variation during the cold season and the climatic predictors of birds of prey wintering movements in relation to the possible influences of the Carpathian Mountains, which may act as a geographical barrier providing shelter from cold air outbreak from north and northeast of the continent.

Location

Romania (45°N25°E).

Taxon

Birds of Prey.

Methods

We applied a GLMM to investigate the relation between continental and local climatic factors with the number of Common Buzzard observations in two regions. The first region is located inside the Carpathian Arch and the other one outside, east of this large mountains chain.

Results

The Common Buzzard numbers wintering Eastern from the Carpathian Mountains are highly influenced by AO (Z = 2.87,p < .05%), while those wintering western are influenced by NAO (Z = 2.17,p < .05%). This is the first proof of separating influences for biodiversity of AO and NAO at continental scale, outlining the influence limit placed over the Eastern Carpathian Mountains.

Main conclusions

The Carpathian Mountains act like a geographic barrier, separating the wintering Common Buzzard populations from both sides of the mountain range. While the high number of individuals in Moldova is related to their eastern and northeastern Europe origins, in Transylvania the large number of individuals observed is related to the more sheltered characteristics of the region attracting individuals from central Europe. Also, since Transylvania region is well sheltered during cold air outbreak, it represents a more favorable region for wintering. From this point of view, we can consider that the Carpathian Mountains are a geographic barrier for wintering birds of prey.
Management and climate variability effects on understory productivity of forest and savanna ecosystems in Oklahoma, USA
Authors: Adhikari Arjun , Masters Ronald E. , Mainali Kumar P. , Zou Chris B. , Joshi Omkar , Will Rodney E.
Published: June 2021

The productivity of herbaceous and understory woody vegetation is critical for wildlife habitat, livestock forage, and biodiversity, and is influenced by both annual weather patterns and tree dominance. With the goals to inform management and understand climate change implications, we determined the effects of tree harvest, prescribed fire, and 31 yr of climate variability on understory aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP) for ecosystems ranging from mature forest to grassland in a long‐term study in southeastern Oklahoma, USA. In 1984, starting with a mature forest dominated byPinus echinataandQuercus stellata, replicated experimental units were created by various combinations of pine harvest, hardwood thinning, and subsequent fire return intervals (1–4 yr and none). Understory ANPP (forbs, grasses, and woody plants) was measured by clip plots at the end of each growing season. Stepwise regression models were developed between understory ANPP and tree basal area, litter accumulation, fire return interval, and monthly, seasonal, and annual weather variables. Understory ANPP was dominated by grasses and ranged from 27 g·m−2·yr−1for the mature forest to 374 g·m−2·yr−1for an annually burned grassland/savanna. In general, herbaceous ANPP was inversely related to tree dominance (basal area), litter accumulation, and early and late growing season temperatures, and positively related to June precipitation. Understory woody ANPP was influenced by tree basal area, positively influenced by precipitation, and negatively influenced by summer soil moisture deficits. Our results indicate that prescribed fire, through its negative influence on tree basal area and litter accumulation, is critical to maintaining highly productive understories and that a three‐year return interval is a threshold to stall redevelopment of forest. For herbaceous ANPP, timing of precipitation, especially mid‐growing season, appears more important than total precipitation, and higher temperatures within the range our site experienced did not have a large negative effect. In contrast, understory woody ANPP was negatively influenced by drought indicating climate change may have variable effects on different functional groups.
T cells at work: How post‐transcriptional mechanisms control T cell homeostasis and activation
Authors: Jurgens Anouk P. , Popović Branka , Wolkers Monika C.
Published: June 2021

T cells are central players of the adaptive immune system by protecting us from recurring infections and by killing malignant cells. Protective T cell responses rely on the concerted production of effector molecules such as cytolytic mediators, granzymes, and perforins, as well as pro‐inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Once activated, T cells drastically change their gene expression and rapidly respond to insults by producing ample amounts of effector molecules. In the absence of antigen, T cells remain in a quiescent state and survey our body for possible pathogenic insults. Resting T cells are, however, not inert, but continuously regulate their protein production to survive and to be prepared for possible re‐infections. Here, we review our current knowledge on the regulation of gene expression in activated and quiescent T cells. We specifically focus on post‐transcriptional mechanisms that define the protein output and that allow dormant cells to undergo active signaling and selective translation, keeping them poised for activation. Finally, we discuss which signals drive T cell survival and their preparedness to respond to insults and which mechanisms are involved in these processes.
Efficient Preparation of Methyl 2‐Oxo‐3‐aryl (heteroaryl)‐2H‐pyran‐5‐carboxylate via Pd‐Catalyzed Negishi Coupling
Authors: Xavier Tania , Pichon Christophe , Presset Marc , Le Gall Erwan , Condon Sylvie
Published: June 2021

Methyl 3‐bromocoumalate, readily obtained from methyl 2‐pyrone‐5‐carboxylate (methyl coumalate), is easily substituted by cross‐coupling reactions with arylzinc reagents under palladium catalysis, leading to methyl 2‐oxo‐3‐aryl (heteroaryl)‐2H‐pyran‐5‐carboxylates.
Fabrication of microporous organic network@silica composite for high‐performance liquid chromatographic separation of drugs and proteins
Authors: Sun Hao‐Fei , Cui Yuan‐Yuan , Yang Cheng‐Xiong
Published: June 2021

Microporous organic networks (MONs) that exhibit good stability and hydrophobicity are promising candidates for performing HPLC separation of small organic compounds. However, their applications in separating large analytes as well as biomolecules are still limited by the microporous nature of MONs. Herein, we demonstrated the fabrication of a MON‐functionalized silica (MON@SiO2), exhibiting micro and mesopores for the HPLC separations of small drugs as well as large analytes, such as flavones, nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), and proteins. MON was successfully modified on SiO2 microspheres to yield the uniform and mono‐dispersed MON@SiO2. The separation mechanisms and performance of the MON@SiO2 packed column were evaluated for a wide range of analytes, including neutral, acidic, basic compounds, drugs, and proteins. Compared with commercial C18 and SiO2–NH2 packed columns, the proposed MON@SiO2 column afforded superior performance in the separations of flavones, NSAIDs, EDCs, and proteins. Moreover, the MON@SiO2 column also offered good repeatability with intraday RSDs (n = 7) of <0.1%, <2.0%, <2.3%, and <0.7% for the retention time, peak height, peak area, and half peak width, respectively, for separating EDCs. This work proved the potential of using MONs in the HPLC separations of drugs and proteins.
Preparation and characterization of a novel biodegradable film based on sulfated polysaccharide extracted from seaweed Ulva intestinalis
Authors: Davoodi Mohammad Nabi , Milani Jafar M. , Farahmandfar Reza
Published: June 2021

Seaweeds can be a suitable, inexpensive, abundant, and renewable source for the production of biodegradable films as an alternative to plastics. Sulfated polysaccharides, which are abundant in Ulva intestinalis seaweed, have shown important biological activities such as anticoagulant, antioxidant, antitumor, anti‐inflammatory, and antiviral activities. Mechanical, physicochemical, barrier, and surface properties of sulfated polysaccharide films extracted from Ulva intestinalis using glycerol and polyethylene glycol (PEG) as plasticizers were studied. Ulva intestinalis sulfated polysaccharide films (USP films) were successfully prepared by the incorporation of three concentrations of plasticizers (30, 40, and 50%). The film properties depended on the type and concentration of the plasticizer. Based on the results, by increasing the concentration of the plasticizer, the thickness, moisture content, solubility, and elongation at break of the USP films increased and tensile strength, young's modulus, transparency, and barrier properties of the films decreased. The film plasticized with 30% PEG showed the highest value of tensile strength (36.95 MPa), and the lowest value for permeability to vapor water and oxygen were 1.9 g mm‐1 s‐1kPa‐1 × 10–11 and 7.45 cm‐3.cm/cm2.s.cmHg ×10–8, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations indicated that the surface of the films was free of bubbles, cracks, or fractures. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy results revealed some interactions between plasticizers and the polymer.
Study of starch aging characteristics based on Terahertz technology
Authors: Wang Tao , Wang Shuya , Zhai Chen , Wang Liang , Xie Yunfeng , Li Qian , Zheng Xu
Published: June 2021

Traditional methods for the determination of starch aging indicators often have a series of shortcomings such as time‐consuming, high cost, large human error, damage to samples, environmental pollution, and high requirements for inspectors. Therefore, it is meaningful to find or establish a dynamic fingerprint identification pattern that can detect the aging degree of starch during the process of processing or storage quickly and accurately. It not only provides guidance for starch food processing but also saves a lot of human, material resources, and time. Terahertz technology is an emerging molecular spectroscopy technology in the 21st century. It is with low energy and basically harmless to the human body. It can also realize nondestructive testing of samples. In the experiment, the samples were prepared by the tableting method and the samples containing 20% of 50 mg samples were prepared with polyethylene as the diluent. The thickness of the samples was 1 mm and the diameter was 13 mm. The terahertz time‐domain spectrometer was used to obtain the spectral information of aging starch at different aging times. After the pretreatment of the spectrum by vector normalization, first derivative, and multiple scattering correction, the prediction models of aging days, crystallinity, and resilience of aging starch were established, respectively. The determination coefficient (R2) of the established models is all greater than 95%, indicating that the established models are highly reliable and can be used to predict the aging days, crystallinity, and retrogradation degree of starch. And the R2 of the prediction model based on the refractive index spectrum is greater than that of the absorption coefficient spectrum. The experimental method obtains the dynamic fingerprint identification map of starch in the aging process, realizes the real‐time monitoring and detection of the starch aging process, and provides an effective means for the production and processing of starch‐related industries.
Dominant effect of gap junction communication in wound‐induced calcium‐wave, NFAT activation and wound closure in keratinocytes
Authors: Hudson Laura , Begg Malcolm , Wright Blythe , Cheek Tim , Jahoda Colin A. B. , Reynolds Nick J.
Published: June 2021

Wounding induces a calcium wave and disrupts the calcium gradient across the epidermis but mechanisms mediating calcium and downstream signalling, and longer‐term wound healing responses are incompletely understood. As expected, live‐cell confocal imaging of Fluo‐4‐loaded normal human keratinocytes showed an immediate increase in [Ca2+]i at the wound edge that spread as a calcium wave (8.3 µm/s) away from the wound edge with gradually diminishing rate of rise and amplitude. The amplitude and area under the curve of [Ca2+]i flux was increased in high (1.2 mM) [Ca2+]o media. 18α‐glycyrrhetinic acid (18αGA), a gap‐junction inhibitor or hexokinase, an ATP scavenger, blocked the wound‐induced calcium wave, dependent in part on [Ca2+]o. Wounding in a high [Ca2+]o increased nuclear factor of activated T‐cells (NFAT) but not NFkB activation, assessed by dual‐luciferase receptor assays compared to unwounded cells. Treatment with 18αGA or the store‐operated channel blocker GSK‐7975A inhibited wound‐induced NFAT activation, whereas treatment with hexokinase did not. Real‐time cell migration analysis, measuring wound closure rates over 24 h, revealed that 18αGA essentially blocked wound closure whereas hexokinase and GSK‐7975A showed relatively minimal effects. Together these data indicate that while both gap‐junction communication and ATP release from damaged cells are important in regulating the wound‐induced calcium wave, long‐term transcriptional and functional responses are dominantly regulated by gap‐junction communication.
Toward High‐Speed and Energy‐Efficient Computing: A WDM‐Based Scalable On‐Chip Silicon Integrated Optical Comparator
Authors: Feng Chenghao , Ying Zhoufeng , Zhao Zheng , Gu Jiaqi , Pan David Z. , Chen Ray T.
Published: June 2021

Integrated photonics has shown extraordinary potential in optical computing. Various optical computing modules have been investigated, among which the digital comparator is a significant element for any arithmetic logic unit. In this study, an architecture of a wavelength‐division‐multiplexing‐based (WDM‐based) electronic–photonic digital comparator is proposed, which can perform high‐bit comparisons for fixed‐point or floating‐point binary inputs. A silicon photonics‐based 2‐bit comparator operating at 20 Gb s−1 at a 1.55 µm wavelength is experimentally demonstrated. A detailed performance analysis reveals that this architecture outperforms the current transistor‐based electronic comparators in terms of both computational speed and power efficiency.
Localized Ferroelectric Domains via Laser Poling in Monodomain Calcium Barium Niobate Crystal
Authors: Mazur Leszek Mateusz , Liu Shan , Chen Xin , Krolikowski Wieslaw , Sheng Yan
Published: June 2021

Tightly focused femtosecond infrared optical pulses are employed to invert spontaneous polarization in the bulk of single–domain ferroelectric calcium barium niobate crystal. Such created localized ferroelectric domains could be arranged in 1D, 2D, and 3D patterns. The fabricated domain structures are subsequently used to demonstrate nonlinear diffraction via transverse second harmonic generation. This work constitutes the first realization of optically induced spatially localized ferroelectric domains in the bulk of a single domain ferroelectric medium and has a potential for applications in nonlinear light processing, frequency conversion, and others.
Tempering kinetics and corrosion resistance of quenched and tempered AISI 4130 medium carbon steel
Authors: Mosayebi Aliasghar , Soleimani Maryam , Mirzadeh Hamed , Dehghanian Changiz
Published: June 2021

The kinetics and the effects of tempering on the corrosion resistance of AISI 4130 steel were studied. The tempering activation energy was close to that for the diffusion of C in α‐iron. This implies that the tempering kinetics in this steel is controlled by carbon diffusion. By increasing the time and temperature of tempering, the corrosion current density (icorr) in the polarization curves decreased whereas the diameter of the semicircular arc in the Nyquist plots increased, which implies higher corrosion resistance. The icorr was successfully related to hardness, which actually indicates the effect of microstructure. Based on these findings, the quench and tempering treatment was used to adjust both the hardness and corrosion resistance of the AISI 4130 steel.
The risk‐adjusted profit productivity change in Chinese banks: A comparative analysis of the different type banks
Authors: Chen Xiang , Zhang Xuping , Wang Yujia , Jia Hairui
Published: June 2021

This study incorporates a risk factor into the framework of the profit‐oriented productivity change of Juo et al. (2015, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.omega.2015.04.013) to introduce a risk‐adjusted profit productivity measure. We further decompose the measure into changes in allocative inefficiency, technical inefficiency, technology, and price effects. In order to compare profit performance and its sources in Chinese banks, we employ 43 Chinese banks from 2015 to 2019 as the sample. We find that all Chinese banks have a significant improvement in profit productivity, and their profit loss mainly results from technical decline. State‐owned banks have better profit efficiency, but Chinese city banks have the highest profit productivity growth. The main contribution is that ownership cannot affect profit productivity but can function in production‐related components, namely, changes in technical inefficiency and technology.
Does corporate social responsibility affect the achievement of performance commitment in valuation adjustment mechanism agreement? Evidence from Chinese listed company
Authors: Li Xintao , Li Qian
Published: June 2021

This paper examines the impact of acquirers' corporate social responsibility (CSR) on the fulfillment of performance commitment in valuation adjustment mechanism (VAM) agreement. PSM and logistic regression are mainly used in the analysis. We offer evidence that acquirers' CSR is crucial to the targets' commitment performance. Using 1473 samples of VAM agreement between 2010 and 2019 reveal that the acquirees who have signed the VAM agreements with the high CSR companies are more likely to fulfill the promised performance. This paper holds that in all CSR dimensions, shareholder responsibility has the most significant positive effect on the outcome. Also, excessive commitment performance will reduce the possibility of VAM agreement completion. Furthermore, performance commitment has a strengthening moderation effect on the link between CSR and VAM agreement. Overall, our results show that CSR matters for commitment performance in VAM agreement.
CSF Protein Level of Neurotransmitter Secretion, Synaptic Plasticity, and Autophagy in PD and DLB
Authors: Lerche Stefanie , Sjödin Simon , Brinkmalm Ann , Blennow Kaj , Wurster Isabel , Roeben Benjamin , Zimmermann Milan , Hauser Ann‐Kathrin , Liepelt‐Scarfone Inga , Waniek Katharina , Lachmann Ingolf , Gasser Thomas , Zetterberg Henrik , Brockmann Kathrin
Published: June 2021

Background

Molecular pathways associated with α‐synuclein proteostasis have been detected in genetic studies and in cell models and include autophagy, ubiquitin‐proteasome system, mitochondrial homeostasis, and synaptic plasticity. However, we lack biomarkers that are representative for these pathways in human biofluids.

Objective

The objective of this study was to evaluate CSF protein profiles of pathways related to α‐synuclein proteostasis.

Methods

We assessed CSF protein profiles associated with neurotransmitter secretion, synapse plasticity, and autophagy in 2 monocentric cohorts with α‐synucleinopathy (385 PD patients and 67 DLB patients). We included 80 PD patients and 17 DLB patients with variants in the glucocerebrosidase gene to serve as proxy for accelerated α‐synuclein pathology with pronounced clinical trajectories.

Results

(1) Proteins associated with neurotransmitter secretion, synaptic plasticity, and endolysosomal autophagy were lower in PD and DLB patients compared with healthy controls. (2) These patterns were more pronounced in DLB than in PD patients, accentuated by GBA variant status in both entities. (3) CSF levels of these proteins were positively associated with CSF levels of total α‐synuclein, with lower levels of proteostasis proteins related to lower levels of total α‐synuclein. (4) These findings could be confirmed longitudinally. PD patients with low CSF profiles of proteostasis proteins showed lower CSF levels of α‐synuclein longitudinally compared with PD patients with a normal proteostasis profile.

Conclusion

CSF proteins associated with neurotransmitter secretion, synaptic plasticity, and endolysosomal autophagy might serve as biomarkers related to α‐synuclein proteostasis in PD and DLB. © 2021 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
A new constructive algorithm for random polydisperse dense disk pack generation
Authors: Lozano Elias , Gattass Marcelo
Published: June 2021

This article presents a novel strategy for the non‐overlapping disk‐packing problem for generating dense random assemblies. The proposed geometric algorithm adopts an advancing‐front approach that uses novel heuristics to determine the next positions for incoming particles with support from a polygonal mesh. Additionally, we propose strategies to improve generation at the pack's interior and near container borders. Experiments demonstrate that our algorithm outperforms previous methods in terms of the desired particle radius distribution function, packing density, and mean number of particle contacts.
Elobixibat Effectively Relieves Chronic Constipation in Patients with Cancer Regardless of the Amount of Food Intake
Authors: Ozaki Anna , Kessoku Takaomi , Kasai Yuki , Takeda Yuma , Okubo Naoki , Iwaki Michihiro , Kobayashi Takashi , Yoshihara Tsutomu , Honda Yasushi , Fuyuki Akiko , Higurashi Takuma , Ishiki Hiroto , Taguri Masataka , Oyamada Shunsuke , Kobayashi Noritoshi , Nakajima Atsushi , Ichikawa Yasushi
Published: June 2021

Background

Constipation is a common, distressing complication in patients with cancer receiving palliative care. Elobixibat is a novel inhibitor of the ileal bile acid transporter that is used to treat chronic constipation by stimulating bowel function. However, its efficacy in patients with cancer has not been examined. This study investigated the drug's effectiveness in patients with cancer with chronic constipation.

Patients and Methods

This prospective-sampling, single-center, observational study included hospitalized patients with cancer diagnosed, using the Rome IV criteria, with chronic constipation. Within 2 weeks of hospitalization, each participant was administered elobixibat (5–15 mg) daily until discharge. Spontaneous bowel movements (SBMs), complete spontaneous bowel movements (CSBMs), Bristol stool form scale (BSFS) scores, and the Patient Assessment of Constipation Quality of Life questionnaire (PAC-QOL) scores were assessed before and after elobixibat administration. We also evaluated the relationship between the amount of food consumed and the SBM frequency.

Results

Among the 83 participants, the mean pre- and post-treatment frequencies of daily SBMs were 0.3 and 1.2 (p < .0001) and those of CSBMs were 0.1 and 0.6 (p < .0001), respectively. The mean pretreatment BSFS score was 1.6, whereas the post-treatment value was 3.5 (p < .0001); the mean PAC-QOL score (overall) improved from 1.01 to 0.74 (p = .01). There was no significant change in the daily SBM frequency between fasting and feeding states (1.2 vs. 1.3; p = .8), and there was no correlation between the amount of food intake and the SBM frequency after elobixibat administration (r = .03). Serious adverse events were not observed.

Conclusion

This study showed that elobixibat is safe and effective for patients with cancer with chronic constipation, regardless of the food intake amount.

Implications for Practice

Elobixibat was effective at relieving chronic constipation in patients with various cancers. Serious adverse events were not observed, and the relief of constipation was independent of variation in food intake.
Synthesis and characterization of comb‐like crosslinking polyurethane based form‐stable phase‐change materials for thermal energy storage
Authors: Yang Yunyun , Kong Weibo , Cai Xufu
Published: June 2021

To prevent the leakage of melting phase‐change materials (PCMs), form‐stable PCMs (FSPCMs), which usually contain organic PCMs and supporting materials, are prepared via several methods including microencapsulation, physical absorption, grafting PCMs on nanofillers, polymer coating, and so forth. However, the uneven distribution of PCMs in supporting materials affecting the energy storage efficiency is still a severe problem that needs to be considered. Herein, poly(ethylene glycol monomethyl ether)‐based trimethylolpropane (Ymer‐N120) with long side ethyoxyl segments is the first time used to prepare crosslinked polyurethane (PU) with symmetrical, regular flexible long chains that is designed to improve the distribution of polyethylene glycol (PEGs). The results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, accelerated thermal cycling testing, thermogravimetric analysis, and field emission scanning electron microscopy suggested a crosslinked PU containing uniform dispersed PEG crystal was prepared by thermal curing. The FSPCMs can store and release high latent heat (over 110 J/g) with good thermal stability (the initial decomposing‐temperature reaches 360°C) without leakage (after 500 times of accelerated thermal cycling testing).
Epstein–Barr virus‐induced sickle hepatopathy
Authors: Towerman Alison S. , Wilson David B. , Hulbert Monica L.
Published: June 2021

Sickle hepatopathy comprises a spectrum of disorders that vary in severity. Intravascular sickling and sinusoidal occlusion are the principal drivers of sickle hepatopathy, but infection or autoimmunity can act as triggers. We describe two cases of acute sickle hepatopathy initiated by primary Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection, a previously unreported association. The first case entailed a 14‐year‐old girl with hemoglobin SC (HbSC) disease who developed hepatic sequestration crisis that responded to a simple transfusion of erythrocytes. The second case was that of a 16‐year‐old boy with HbSC disease who experienced life‐threatening intrahepatic cholestasis with multiorgan failure.
Interest Grows in Chemical Recycling
Authors: LAMONTAGNE NANCY D.
Published: June 2021

The process, also called advanced recycling, could bring circular sustainability to plastics if implemented on a large scale
‘Walton’, a new virginia‐type peanut suitable for Virginia and northern U.S. growing regions
Authors: Balota Maria , Tillman Barry L. , Paula‐Moraes Silvana V. , Anco Dan
Published: June 2021

‘Walton’ (Reg. no. CV‐146, PI 695073) is a virginia‐type peanut (Arachis hypogaea L. subsp. hypogaea var. hypogaea) with desirable agronomic characteristics and yield stability in the northernmost peanut growing region of the United States, the Virginia–Carolina (VC) region. Walton was tested under the experimental designation 08x09‐3‐14‐1 and was released in 2019 jointly by the University of Florida and Virginia Tech. Walton was initially evaluated in Marianna, FL, during 2014 and subsequently in Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, and South Carolina during 2015–2018. In these tests, Walton was similar for yield, grade, and economic value to ‘Bailey’, ‘Bailey II’, and ‘Emery’ and outperformed ‘Sullivan’ and ‘Wynne’. Oleic fatty acid (C18:1) content was significantly higher than for Bailey II and Wynne. In Virginia, Walton produced greater yields regardless of digging time than Bailey, Sullivan, and Wynne. Under rainout shelters, Walton yielded highest under both water regimes—deficit and full irrigation. Under water deficit, Walton yielded similarly to GP‐NC WS17, a drought‐tolerant, species‐derived germplasm line, and significantly greater than the cultivars Bailey, ‘Florida‐07’, Sullivan, and Wynne. Thus, the release of Walton provides VC peanut producers with a profitable, high‐oleic option robust to weather fluctuations and digging dates.
A personalized approach empowering successful aging: Patient perspective on fall prevention education
Authors: Collins Courtney E. , Schultz Kurt , Mathew Pawan , Chandra Arnav , Nguyen Bryan , Chen Tiffany , Renshaw Savannah , Rose Karen M. , Santry Heena P.
Published: June 2021

Background

Falls are the leading cause of fatal injury, and the most common cause of nonfatal trauma, among older adults. However, patient perspectives on preferences for obtaining fall education are not well reported.

Objective

To identify components of successful fall prevention education.

Design

Prospective qualitative study.

Setting

Tertiary care center; institutional.

Participants

Adults aged 65 years or older with a history of falls who received services from inpatient trauma or outpatient geriatric services.

Interventions

One‐hour face‐to‐face semistructured interview.

Main Outcome Measure

Semistructured interviews sought to determine participants' history of fall education and perceived strengths and weaknesses of various formats of fall education.

Results

Nearly all participants (9/10) indicated they had not received fall prevention education of any kind. Many participants (6/10) reported that, despite not receiving any formal education about falls, they had either given or received information about falls from other older adults in their communities. Participants indicated that framing fall education as a part of healthy aging would be more desirable and mentioned involving participants' families as part of the education. The majority of participants (7/10) suggested fall education be delivered through in‐person discussion with providers, and most (9/10) indicated this would provide a personalized approach with opportunity for questions. Participants specified fall education should consist of both environmental modifications (5/10) and awareness of one's surroundings (4/10).

Conclusions

Despite histories of falls, nearly all participants reported they had not received formal fall education. However, many indicated they received fall information informally through their communities. Participants agreed successful fall prevention education would be delivered in an empowering way by a trusted member of the care team.
New insights into the use of hydroxypropyl cellulose for drug solubility enhancement: An analytical study of sub‐molecular interactions with fenofibrate in solid state and aqueous solutions
Authors: Martin‐Pastor Manuel , Stoyanov Edmont
Published: June 2021

Hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) is a solubility enhancer used for poorly soluble drugs, nano‐suspensions and amorphous solid dispersions (ASD). However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. ASDs of a poorly soluble drug, fenofibrate (FEN), were analyzed using liquid nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and solid state NMR (ss‐NMR). Liquid NMR revealed interactions between the pyranose ring of the HPC molecule and the diphenylketone from FEN. The water accessibility of the CH3 groups in HPC and FEN is very low, they form a hydrophobic zone in aqueous solution that may sustain the drug nucleation. Moreover, ss‐NMR measurements confirmed very low drug crystallinity for HPC‐FEN ASDs. Cross‐polarization and direct polarization 13C spectra, 13C‐CPMAS and 13C‐PARIS, distinguished the most rigid and flexible portions in concordance with the ss‐NMR proton T1 and T1r relaxation results. Although HPC side chains (hydroxypropoxy) are the most flexible portions, their flexibility is moderate and high rigidity is the predominant. The ss‐NMR proton relaxation indicates a rather homogeneous distribution of the components (HPC and FEN) in the solid mixtures. The versatile NMR methodology proposed can be used to study other polymer‐drug systems and it may contribute to understand relevant functional aspects such as the rate of drug‐delivery and their stability.
Submicron Potassium Perchlorate: a Key Component to Reach Detonation in Binary Mixtures with Titanium Hydride
Authors: Comet Marc , Martin Cédric , Schnell Fabien , Schwartz Cédric , Lallemand Bastien , Galland Guillaume , Spitzer Denis
Published: June 2021

The pyrotechnic compositions made up of potassium perchlorate (KClO4) and titanium hydride (TiH2), known as THKP, have a fast deflagration velocity (∼500 m/s), along with low sensitivity and high stability. In this research, a new kind of THKP was formulated from a submicron powder of KClO4 (50–400 nm) prepared by the Spray Flash‐Evaporation (SFE) process. The use of fine KClO4 not only ensures better oxidation of TiH2, but also leads to a transition to detonation in the THKP. This transition is observed in loose powders placed in small diameter tubes (3 mm). The distance of transition is relatively short (17–22 mm) and increases with the KClO4 content of the THKP mixture. The detonation front propagates steadily, at a velocity of ∼1250 m/s in THKP powders with 86 % of porosity. The shockwave velocity varies little with the perchlorate content in the domain of composition studied (55–74 wt.% of KClO4). Conversely, in the classical THKP mixtures prepared from micron‐sized KClO4 and tested in the same conditions, no transition to detonation is observed; the combustion slows down and eventually stops. Finally, owing to their high sensitivity thresholds to impact (SImp.≥44.7 J), friction (SFr.≥192 N), and electrostatic discharge (SESD≥34.7 mJ), THKP mixtures prepared from submicron KClO4 can be classified as low‐sensitivity primary explosives.
Overcoming matrix effects in quantitative liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis of steroid hormones in surface waters
Authors: Mirmont Elodie , Bœuf Amandine , Charmel Mélissa , Lalère Béatrice , Laprévote Olivier , Lardy‐Fontan Sophie
Published: June 2021

Rationale

Accurate and reliable measurements are mandatory in the field of environmental monitoring. Matrix effects are often depicted as the Achilles’ heel of liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis since they may be prejudicial for analytical performances such as detection capability and accuracy, if not documented or compensated. Here a methodology for the evaluation and compensation of matrix effects is described.

Methods

Natural and synthetic representative water samples were used for the evaluation of matrix effects with the post‐extraction addition technique. Samples were analysed using ultra‐performance liquid chromatography separation coupled to tandem mass spectrometry and electrospray ionization. Isotopic dilution was investigated as a way to allow compensation of signal alteration and therefore satisfactory quantification. When this approach was not possible, a methodology was conducted for choosing the most appropriate internal standard.

Results

The matrix effects were dependent on both matrix composition and nature of analyte. They ranged from total signal suppression to signal enhancement of +27% but were independent of compound concentration. The correction of matrix effects by internal standards was satisfactory, particularly for compounds benefiting from isotope dilution leading to acceptable quantification performances.

Conclusions

Even if no exhaustive or agreed criteria exist for the final interpretation of matrix effects, this study highlights the interest in isotope dilution for reducing their inherent prejudicial effects in quantification and the need to conduct this type of study for representative matrices. Moreover, a methodological approach is proposed for choosing the most appropriate available internal standard when isotope dilution is not possible.
LiDAR‐based robust localization for field autonomous vehicles in off‐road environments
Authors: Ren Ruike , Fu Hao , Xue Hanzhang , Li Xiaohui , Hu Xiaochang , Wu Meiping
Published: June 2021

Robust localization is an essential capability for autonomous land vehicles. While a lot of work focused on structured environments, this article focuses on navigation in off‐road environments. In the off‐road environment, due to the lack of salient features, scan matching algorithms tend to degenerate. Therefore, the first contribution of this paper is to propose a reliable degeneracy indicator which can evaluate the scan matching performance. The evaluated degeneracy indicator is then integrated into the factor graph optimization framework which is used in both the offline mapping system and the online localization system. Moreover, a complete navigation system that can handle the incomplete and partly outdated LiDAR maps is developed. Extensive tests on real‐world data sets show that the proposed system outperforms state‐of‐the‐art approaches, especially in degenerate scenarios.
The Contribution of Text Characteristics to Reading Comprehension: Investigating the Influence of Text Emotionality
Authors: Pickren Sage E. , Stacy Maria , Del Tufo Stephanie N. , Spencer Mercedes , Cutting Laurie E.
Published: June 2021

In the current study, we examined relations between text features (e.g., word concreteness, referential cohesion) and reading comprehension using multilevel logistic models. The sample was 158 native English‐speaking students between 8 years, 8 months and 11 years, 2 months of age with a wide range of reading ability. In line with the simple view of reading, decoding ability and language comprehension were associated with reading comprehension performance. Text characteristics, including indices of word frequency, number of pronouns, word concreteness, and deep cohesion, also predicted unique variance in reading comprehension performance over and above the simple view’s components. Additionally, the emotional charge of text (i.e., lexical ratings of arousal) predicted reading comprehension beyond traditional person‐level and text‐based characteristics. These findings add to a small but growing body of evidence suggesting that it is important to consider emotional charge in addition to person‐level and text‐based characteristics to better understand reading comprehension performance.