bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Graphene in 2D/3D Heterostructure Diodes for High Performance Electronics and Optoelectronics
Authors: Wang Zhenxing , Hemmetter Andreas , Uzlu Burkay , Saeed Mohamed , Hamed Ahmed , Kataria Satender , Negra Renato , Neumaier Daniel , Lemme Max C.
Published: March 2021

Diodes made of heterostructures of the 2D material graphene and conventional 3D materials are reviewed in this manuscript. Several applications in high frequency electronics and optoelectronics are highlighted. In particular, advantages of metal–insulator–graphene (MIG) diodes over conventional metal–insulator–metal diodes are discussed with respect to relevant figures‐of‐merit. The MIG concept is extended to 1D diodes. Several experimentally implemented radio frequency circuit applications with MIG diodes as active elements are presented. Furthermore, graphene‐silicon Schottky diodes as well as MIG diodes are reviewed in terms of their potential for photodetection. Here, graphene‐based diodes have the potential to outperform conventional photodetectors in several key figures‐of‐merit, such as overall responsivity or dark current levels. Obviously, advantages in some areas may come at the cost of disadvantages in others, so that 2D/3D diodes need to be tailored in application‐specific ways.
Contribution of Ferromagnetic Medium to the Output of Triboelectric Nanogenerators Derived from Maxwell's Equations
Authors: Li Yahui , Li Guizhong , Zhang Penglei , Zhang Haodong , Ren Chao , Shi Xian , Cai Han , Zhang Yanxin , Wang Yusen , Guo Zhanfeng , Li Hongfang , Ding Guifu , Cai Haogang , Yang Zhuoqing , Zhang Chi , Wang Zhong Lin
Published: March 2021

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) use the displacement current as a driving force to convert mechanical energy into electric power, which has made great contributions to micro‐nano energy harvesting, self‐powered systems, and the sustainable development of mankind. To date, it is accepted that the output of TENGs is only dependent on the polarization effect. This study reveals that this view is incomplete and, in reality, the magnetization effect also makes a significant contribution to the output of TENGs. For the first time, a novel insight on the output of TENGs is discovered through the theoretical derivation and analysis of Maxwell's equations in ferromagnetic medium. Experimentally, TENGs based on ferromagnetic media are constructed, which exhibit higher output than that of non‐ferromagnetic media based. Interestingly, the output behavior of ferromagnetic media based TENGs is strongly related to the external magnetic field ambient, which is well demonstrated. The discovered output characteristics of TENGs are precisely derived from the working principle of TENGs, simultaneously, a completed and unified theoretical system is constructed for TENGs. This significant discovery and theory will be an indispensable supplement to the existing research on TENGs and also provide a general guidance and deeper understanding of the TENG.
A new approach toward social licensing of data analytics in the public sector
Authors: O’Loughlin Timothy , Bukowitz Rachel
Published: March 2021

Governments using data analytics will be increasingly drawn into creating social licence for these applications. The need will be greatest where two conditions are present. First, where data analytics are used to predict rather than describe or prescribe. Second, where such prediction is used by governments when exercising their coercive powers. Two examples of using predictive risk modelling are identifying children at risk of neglect and abuse; and assessing recidivism risk in the criminal justice system. Each has drawn criticism, precipitating discussion around the requirements for social licence. Much of this discussion focusses on transparency as both an intrinsic virtue and an instrumental virtue for achieving social licence. The paper contends that transparency is unachievable as an intrinsic virtue for such purposes and that its conceptions as an instrumental virtue fall short of that required for users and subjects as well as the public to have “sufficient to approve or disapprove of the algorithm's performance”. The conclusion is that unconventional democratic forms, including deliberative and direct democracy, are likely to prove more successful than representative democracy in establishing that licence and thereby realising more fully the potential contribution of data analytics to better government.
Systematic review of measures of disease severity in rhinitis
Authors: Li Andraia R. , Zhang Kathy , Reddy Priyanka D. , Nguyen Shaun A. , Miglani Amar , Fried Jacob , Nguyen Mariam I. , Schlosser Rodney J.
Published: March 2021

Background

Rhinologists often encounter a broad spectrum of allergic rhinitis (AR) and nonallergic rhinitis (NAR) patients, who can be variably classified based upon timing and severity of disease. Our understanding of the varied quality of life (QOL) impact in different classifications of rhinitis is limited. Thus a more comprehensive understanding of the impact of rhinitis upon our patients, as measured by both patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) and clinical physiologic measures, as well as unique factors associated with disease severity is needed.

Methods

A systematic search of databases was performed to identify AR and NAR studies reporting Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ), total nasal symptom score (TNSS), or visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, and physiologic measures including peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) and nasal airflow. Relationships between PROMs, physiologic measures, and associated factors (e.g., allergic status, disease duration) were assessed by weighted correlations and meta‐regressions.

Results

A total of 171 studies reporting on 33,843 patients were included. Symptoms were more severe in AR than NAR on VAS (p < 0.001). Classification based upon Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) guidelines demonstrated differences in PROM severity. There was no significant correlation between PROMs and demographic factors, comorbidities, or physiologic measures. Meta‐regression identified a correlation between worse RQLQ scores and shorter disease duration (r = −0.4, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Rhinitic patients have more severe impact upon QOL in the presence of allergy with variable impact upon specific symptom subdomains. PROMs do not correlate with common demographic factors, comorbidities, or physiologic measures of nasal airflow.
An Aromatic Oligomer Micelle: Large Enthalpic Stabilization and Selective Oligothiophene Uptake
Authors: Tsuchida Yamato , Aratsu Keisuke , Hiraoka Shuichi , Yoshizawa Michito
Published: March 2021

An aromatic oligomer micelle, featuring both high stability and high uptake ability, was quantitatively formed in water from amphiphilic oligomers, composed of three bent polyaromatic amphiphiles connected alternately by two hydrophilic chains. The well‐defined micelle, with a diameter of ca. 2 nm, remains intact even under highly diluted conditions (ca. 3 μM) and at elevated temperature (>130 °C), due to the polyaromatic chelate effect. The thermodynamic studies reveal that large enthalpic gain (ΔH=−110 kJ mol−1) is the key for the micelle formation. The oligomer micelle selectively encapsulates unsubstituted oligothiophenes (≥4‐mer) to a high degree and the resultant, aqueous host‐guest complexes display unusual emission derived from the multiply stacked oligomers. Furthermore, facile uptake and release of unsubstituted polythiophenes can be achieved using the oligomer micelle.
Design of a Solid Electrolyte Interphase for Aqueous Zn Batteries
Authors: Li Dan , Cao Longsheng , Deng Tao , Liu Sufu , Wang Chunsheng
Published: March 2021

Aqueous Zn batteries are challenged by water decomposition and dendrite growth due to the absence of a dense Zn‐ion conductive solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) to inhibit the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Here, we design a low‐concentration aqueous Zn(OTF)2‐Zn(NO3)2 electrolyte to in situ form a robust inorganic ZnF2‐Zn5(CO3)2(OH)6‐organic bilayer SEI, where the inorganic inner layer promotes Zn‐ion diffusion while the organic outer layer suppresses water penetration. We found that the insulating Zn5(OH)8(NO3)2⋅2 H2O layer is first formed on the Zn anode surface by the self‐terminated chemical reaction of NO3− with Zn2+ and OH− generated via HER, and then it transforms into Zn‐ion conducting Zn5(CO3)2(OH)6, which in turn promotes the formation of ZnF2 as the inner layer. The organic‐dominated outer layer is formed by the reduction of OTF−. The in situ formed SEI enables a high Coulombic efficiency (CE) of 99.8 % for 200 h in Ti∥Zn cells, and a high energy density (168 Wh kg−1) with 96.5 % retention for 700 cycles in Zn∥MnO2 cells with a low Zn/MnO2 capacity ratio of 2:1.
Synthesis of (4R)‐2‐(3‐hydroxyphenyl)thiazolidine‐4‐carboxylic acid substituted phthalocyanines: Anticancer activity on different cancer cell lines and molecular docking studies
Authors: Bilgiçli Ahmet T. , Genc Bilgicli Hayriye , Hepokur Ceylan , Tüzün Burak , Günsel Armağan , Zengin Mustafa , Yarasir M. Nilüfer
Published: March 2021

In this study, firstly, (4R)‐2‐(3‐hydroxyphenyl)thiazolidine‐4‐carboxylic acid (1) and (4R)‐2‐(3‐(3,4‐dicyanophenoxy)phenyl)thiazolidine‐4‐carboxylic acid (2) were prepared. Then, the novel type metallophthalocyanines (ZnPc (3), CuPc (4), and CoPc (5)) bearing thiazolidine groups in peripheral positions were synthesized using by compound (2). The synthesized new compounds (1–5) were characterized by the combination of standard spectroscopic methods such as FT‐IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, UV–Vis spectral data, and MALDI‐TOF. Aggregation behaviors of peripheral tetra‐substituted metallophthalocyanines were investigated in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) media. Fluorescence properties and fluorescence quantum yield of the new type zinc phthalocyanine (3) were performed in DMSO at room temperature. The anticancer activity of novel type metallophthalocyanines bearing thiazolidine groups in peripheral positions were investigated on rat glioma cancer (C6), human prostate carcinoma (DU‐145), and normal human lung fibroblast (WI‐38) cell lines. Finally, the biological and chemical activities of (4R)‐2‐(3‐(3,4‐dicyanophenoxy)phenyl)thiazolidine‐4‐carboxylic acid (2) and its novel type metallophthalocyanines (ZnPc (3), CuPc (4), and CoPc (5)) have been compared with many parameters obtained using theoretical methods that are the Gaussian software and molecular docking.
Quantitative Evaluation of Oxidative Stability of Biomembrane Lipids in the Presence of Vitamin E
Authors: Takahashi Atsushi , Takahashi Ryota , Hiromori Kousuke , Shibasaki‐Kitakawa Naomi
Published: March 2021

In this report, the oxidation of biomembrane lipids, phospholipid and cholesterol (ChH), was examined experimentally in the presence of vitamin E (VEH) by using a liposome system, which is widely used as a biomembrane model. A kinetic model was constructed by taking into account mechanisms of antioxidation and pro‐oxidation by VEH and the co‐oxidation mechanisms of biomembrane lipids reported previously. The model quantitatively described oxidation behavior in the liposome system under various VEH addition conditions. The model also predicted oxidation behavior in vivo under various oral ingestion conditions of VEH. The results suggest that ChH oxidation, which causes various diseases, can be suppressed effectively by taking a certain amount of VEH once a day to avoid a reduction in the VEH concentration present in the biomembrane. The proposed kinetic approach should be a useful tool for quantitatively characterizing complicated reaction systems, such as biomembrane oxidation.
Tack properties and adhesion mechanism of two different crosslinked polyacrylic pressure‐sensitive adhesives
Authors: Sasaki Mariko , Kashihara Yusuke , Urahama Yoshiaki , Hirai Tomoyasu , Fujii Syuji , Nakamura Yoshinobu
Published: March 2021

Tack properties of cross‐linked random poly(n‐butyl acrylate‐acrylic acid) (A) and poly(2‐ethylhexyl acrylate‐acrylic acid) (B) copolymers as pressure‐sensitive adhesives (PSAs) were compared by a probe tack test to know the optimal application in the industrial field. Tack increased remarkably with temperature, reached a peak, then decreased. The peak of tack appeared at higher temperature for B. Tack increased with increasing contact time and decreasing crosslinking agent level. The fracture energy at higher temperature was higher for B than A. From the observation of debonding behavior, the fibrillation occurred at the edge of probe. The wettability and deformability of PSA were larger for B than A. From a dynamic mechanical analysis, the shear storage modulus (G') in the rubbery plateau region was lower for B than for A. The good wettability and deformability were improved as a result of its lower G'. The relaxation behaviors of PSAs and vulcanized isoprene rubber were measured by 1H pulsed nuclear magnetic resonance. This technique is found to be useful for estimating the degree of intermolecular interactions. The crosslinking degree hardly influenced. The intermolecular interaction was weaker for B. This was the reason of the lower G' for B.
A political tsunami hits Amazon conservation
Authors: Pelicice Fernando Mayer , Castello Leandro
Published: March 2021

The history of conservation of the Amazon can be viewed as a war involving many battles with interests in agribusiness on one side and in biodiversity conservation and sustainability on the other side. Trends in large‐scale deforestation in the 1970s spurred a series of policies, stakeholder alliances and international and grass‐roots movements, which decades later led to the establishment of protected areas and interventions in soy and beef supply chains of agribusiness. Together, these advances epitomized a conservation framework for the Amazon, which at one point nearly curbed deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon, although it included very few protections for freshwater ecosystems.

While those conservation advances were taking place, however, a series of policy changes started to undermine them through expansions in deforestation, river regulation and mining activities. The election of Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro in 2019 then hit the Amazon conservation framework much like a tsunami of policy setbacks and the re‐establishment of the economic policies that sparked the Amazon war in the past.

The current trajectory is one of large‐scale degradation of Amazonian ecosystems and biodiversity with consequent impacts on local people. Because freshwater ecosystems are highly sensitive to human activities on water and on land, these growing impacts are particularly large.

It is too early to know, but four decades of institutional and policy developments to conserve the Brazilian Amazon may soon be pushed past the point from which they will be able to recover. Four conditions will be pivotal to allowing the Amazon conservation framework to recoup: (a) the end of Bolsonaro’s mandate in 2022 or earlier; (b) remobilization of stakeholders; (c) investments in environmental research, policy and multiple collaborations; and (d) moving conservation beyond terrestrial landscapes to also encompass freshwater ecosystems and their people.
Sexual differences in human cranial morphology: Is one sex more variable or one region more dimorphic?
Authors: Milella Marco , Franklin Daniel , Belcastro Maria Giovanna , Cardini Andrea
Published: March 2021

The quantification of cranial sexual dimorphism (CSD) among modern humans is relevant in evolutionary studies of morphological variation and in a forensic context. Despite the abundance of quantitative studies of CSD, few have specifically examined intra‐sex variability. Here we quantify CSD in a geographically homogeneous sample of adult crania, which includes Italian individuals from the 19th and 20th centuries. Cranial morphology is described with 92 3D landmarks analyzed using Procrustean geometric morphometrics (PGMM). Size and shape variables are used to compare morphological variance between sexes in the whole cranium and four individual regions. The same variables, plus Procrustes form, are used to quantify average sex differences and explore classification accuracy. Our results indicate that: (a) as predicted by Wainer's rule, males present overall more variance in size and shape, albeit this is statistically significant only for total cranial size; (b) differences between sexes are dominated by size and to a lesser extent by Procrustes form; (c) shape only accounts for a minor proportion of variance; (d) the cranial base shows almost no dimorphism for shape; and (e) facial Procrustes form is the most accurate predictor of skeletal sex. Overall, this study suggests developmental factors underlying differences in CSD among cranial regions; stresses the need for population‐specific models that describe craniofacial variation as the basis for models that facilitate the estimation of sex in unidentified skeletal remains; and provides one of the first confirmations of “Wainer's rule” in relation to sexual dimorphism in mammals specific to the human cranium.
Construction of a model as an information channel between the physical phenomenon and observer
Authors: Menin Boris
Published: March 2021

This study proposes a method to assess the accuracy limit of the measurements of physical variables to formulate a model, from the perspective of storing, transmitting, processing, and using of information by an observer. The results show the existence of a problem that advanced statistical methods are provably incapable of solving due to the presence of initial and inevitable model uncertainties arising from a qualitative set of base quantities and the number of variables which are considered, even before verifying the different sources of the uncertainties and executing any experimental measurements or computer calculations. The information contained in the model can be used theoretically and practically to test the solutions to a wide range of problems. Revealing the measurement accuracy limit (in addition to the Heisenberg inequality) with the help of the information transmitted from the studied phenomenon to the observer, which is then stored in the model, helps to perform two additional tasks: choosing the preferred method for measuring a particular physical constant, in physics; and calculating the exact value of the threshold discrepancy between the model and the measured object, in measurement theory. Further research indicates the possibility of allying these methods in biological and medical sciences.
Interval selection: A case‐study‐based approach
Authors: Arboretti Rosa , Ceccato Riccardo , Pegoraro Luca , Salmaso Luigi
Published: March 2021

Variable selection plays a fundamental role in the analysis of data containing several variables which are redundant or irrelevant to the problem of interest. The ability to identify and discard these variables would make it possible to improve predictive performances and data interpretation, thus reducing costs and computational time. Although many methods have been proposed for feature selection, in some fields there is more interest in selecting groups of variables because of the continuous nature and covariance of adjacent data. This is the case for near‐infrared spectroscopy, where several methods, mainly based on partial least squares regression, have been proposed to deal with interval selection. In this article, we consider some of these methods and propose an additional solution based on a variable clustering procedure (Cov/VSURF), Lasso regression and permutation tests. We compare their performances on four different public datasets and discuss the impact of interval selection on the predictive performances of the considered models.
Pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution study of hupehenenine in rats: A novel isosteroid alkaloid isolated from Bulbus Hupehensis Fritillariae
Authors: Zhang Qinyan , Li Dongguo , Ma Bihua , Wang Xueyan , Yang Junyi , Chen Donglin , Ye Liming
Published: March 2021

Hupehenenine is a novel isosteroid alkaloid that was first isolated from Bulbus Hupehensis Fritillariae. The inhibitory proliferation effect of hupehenenine and its three related alkaloid derivatives, including o‐caproyl‐hupehenenine, o‐(2‐furanoyl)‐hupehenenine, and Δ5(6)‐isopeimine on human lung cancer cell line, human chronic myeloid leukemia cell line, and human thyroid duct cancer cell line in vitro, has been identified. This study first developed a sensitive HPLC‐MS/MS method for the simultaneous quantification of hupehenenine and three alkaloid derivatives in rat plasma and tissues. The developed method was validated, and it was linear over the concentration range of 1–800 ng/mL for all analytes with R2 ≥ 0.9939 and 0.9972, respectively, in rat plasma and rat liver homogenate. The lower limit of quantitation was 1 ng/mL for all analytes. The intra‐day and inter‐day precision and accuracy were satisfactory. This validated method was successfully applied to investigate the pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of hupehenenine in rats. In pharmacokinetic study, the maximum plasma concentration of rats exists gender difference. Tissue distribution study showed that hupehenenine has good affinity for multiple tissues but is unable to cross the blood–brain barrier. These results may provide a useful reference for further research of hupehenenine and its three related alkaloid derivatives.
High‐throughput liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization–tandem mass spectrometry method using in‐source collision‐induced dissociation for simultaneous quantification of imatinib, dasatinib, bosutinib, nilotinib, and ibrutinib in human plasma
Authors: Hirasawa Tensei , Kikuchi Masafumi , Shigeta Kensuke , Takasaki Shinya , Sato Yu , Sato Toshihiro , Ogura Jiro , Onodera Koichi , Fukuhara Noriko , Onishi Yasushi , Maekawa Masamitsu , Mano Nariyasu
Published: March 2021

Recent studies have shown that therapeutic drug monitoring of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) could improve treatment efficacy and safety. A simple analytical method using high‐performance LC/electrospray ionization–tandem mass spectrometry has been developed and validated for simultaneous quantification of BCR‐ABL and Bruton’s TKIs used for chronic leukemia (imatinib, dasatinib, bosutinib, nilotinib, and ibrutinib) in human plasma. Although these structures and physical properties are similar, owing to their different linear ranges, simultaneously determining the plasma levels of these five TKIs by applying optimal MS parameters remains difficult. A quantitative range exceeding 60,000‐fold was required, and the linear dynamic ranges of imatinib, bosutinib, and nilotinib were limited because of the presence of a saturated detection signal. In this study, we applied the in‐source collision‐induced dissociation technique to control the ion amounts in mass spectrometry. This new method allowed rapid determination within 5 min with simple pretreatment. The method was validated according to the US Food and Drug Administration guidelines. Moreover, all samples of patients with chronic leukemia were successfully measured and their values were within the linear range of measurement. Therefore, our high‐throughput analytical system is useful to measure the plasma concentrations of imatinib, dasatinib, bosutinib, nilotinib, and ibrutinib in clinical practice.
Levels of residues and dietary risk assessment of the fungicides myclobutanil, penconazole, tebuconazole, and triadimenol in squash
Authors: Abdallah Osama I. , Alrasheed Abdulmajeed M. , Al‐Mundarij Abdullah A. , Omar Ayman F. , Alhewairini Saleh S. , Al‐Jamhan Khaled A.
Published: March 2021

Triazole fungicides may potentially harm human health. The ‘quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe’ approach has become popular for extraction and cleanup during pesticide residue analysis. We aimed to (a) validate a method for the simultaneous determination of myclobutanil, penconazole, tebuconazole, and triadimenol in squash using LC–MS/MS and (b) determine the pre‐harvest intervals (PHIs) and assess the related risk of consuming squash cultivated under open‐field conditions in Saudi Arabia. Using acetonitrile as the extraction solvent and fourfold dilution in deionized water led to weak signal suppression (<−6.1%). The limits of quantitation ranged from 10 to 40 μg/kg. Mean recovery and relative standard deviation ranged from 81.7 to 96.3% and from 3.6 to 11.4%. The half‐lives ranged from 2.22 to 3.83 days, and the dissipation followed first‐order kinetics. The terminal residues of myclobutanil, penconazole, tebuconazole, and triadimenol were <0.771, <0.307, <0.459, and <0.954 mg/kg, respectively, 7 days after two or three applications of recommended dosages. The PHIs of 7.1–11.4, 8.7–13.1, 3.8–5.3, and 11.3–14.3 days are suggested after the application of the recommended dose and double the recommended dose. A consumer risk assessment based on estimated dietary intake indicated that the consumption of squash treated with the recommended doses does not pose a significant health risk.
An engineered probiotic secreting Sj16 ameliorates colitis via Ruminococcaceae/butyrate/retinoic acid axis
Authors: Wang Lifu , Liao Yao , Yang Ruibing , Zhu Zifeng , Zhang Lichao , Wu Zhongdao , Sun Xi
Published: March 2021

Most inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients are unable to maintain a lifelong remission. Developing a novel therapeutic strategy is urgently needed. In this study, we adopt a new strategy to attenuate colitis using the Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 probiotic strain to express a schistosome immunoregulatory protein (Sj16) in the gastrointestinal tract. The genetically engineered Nissle 1917 (EcN‐Sj16) highly expressed Sj16 in the gastrointestinal tracts of dextran sulfate sodium‐induced colitis mice and significantly attenuated the clinical activity of colitis mice. Mechanistically, EcN‐Sj16 increased the intestinal microbiota diversity and selectively promoted the growth of Ruminococcaceae and therefore enhanced the butyrate production. Butyrate induced the expression of retinoic acid, which further attenuated the clinical activity of colitis mice by increasing Treg cells and decreasing Th17. Strikingly, retinoic acid inhibitor inhibited the therapeutic effects of EcN‐Sj16 in colitis mice. These findings suggest that EcN‐Sj16 represents a novel engineered probiotic that may be used to treat IBD.
Macrophage inhibitory cytokine‐1 induced by a high‐fat diet promotes prostate cancer progression by stimulating tumor‐promoting cytokine production from tumor stromal cells
Authors: Huang Mingguo , Narita Shintaro , Koizumi Atsushi , Nara Taketoshi , Numakura Kazuyuki , Satoh Shigeru , Nanjo Hiroshi , Habuchi Tomonori
Published: March 2021

Background

Recent studies have indicated that a high‐fat diet (HFD) and/or HFD‐induced obesity may influence prostate cancer (PCa) progression, but the role of HFD in PCa microenvironment is unclear. This study aimed to delineate the molecular mechanisms of PCa progression under HFD milieus and define the stromal microenvironment focusing on macrophage inhibitory cytokine‐1 (MIC‐1) activation.

Methods

We investigated the effects of HFD on PCa stromal microenvironment and MIC‐1 signaling activation using PC‐3M‐luc‐C6 PCa model mice fed with HFD or control diet. Further, we explored the effect of periprostatic adipocytes derived from primary PCa patients on activation and cytokine secretion of prostate stromal fibroblasts. Expression patterns and roles of MIC‐1 signaling on human PCa stroma activation and progression were also investigated.

Results

HFD stimulated PCa cell growth and invasion as a result of upregulated MIC‐1 signaling and subsequently increased the secretion of interleukin (IL)‐8 and IL‐6 from prostate stromal fibroblasts in PC‐3M‐luc‐C6 PCa mouse model. In addition, periprostatic adipocytes directly stimulated MIC‐1 production from PC‐3 cells and IL‐8 secretion in prostate stromal fibroblasts through the upregulation of adipose lipolysis and free fatty acid release. The increased serum MIC‐1 was significantly correlated with human PCa stroma activation, high serum IL‐8, IL‐6, and lipase activity, advanced PCa progression, and high body mass index of the patients. Glial‐derived neurotrophic factor receptor α‐like (GFRAL), a specific receptor of MIC‐1, was highly expressed in both cytoplasm and membrane of PCa cells and surrounding stromal fibroblasts, and the expression level was decreased by androgen deprivation therapy and chemotherapy.

Conclusion

HFD‐mediated activation of the PCa stromal microenvironment through metabolically upregulated MIC‐1 signaling by increased available free fatty acids may be a critical mechanism of HFD and/or obesity‐induced PCa progression.
Unsupported Nanoporous Palladium Catalyst for Highly Selective Hydrogenation of Carbon Dioxide and Sodium Bicarbonate into Formate
Authors: Wang Jixiao , Zhou ChuanCheng , Gao Zhanming , Feng Xiujuan , Yamamoto Yoshinori , Bao Ming
Published: March 2021

Developing an efficient and simple heterogeneous catalytic system for CO2 conversion into formic acid (FA) is a vibrant research area because FA is recognized as a liquid organic hydrogen carrier. On the basis of our previous work on unsupported nanoporous palladium‐catalyzed hydrogenation proceeding through a Pd‐hydride intermediate, we report herein four types of PdNPore catalysts for the CO2 hydrogenation. The PdNPore‐1 catalyst exhibited high catalytic activity for CO2 hydrogenation into formate and obtained a yield of 86 % at 80 °C under H2 (1.0 MPa) and CO2 (1.5 MPa) with 1,8‐diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec‐7‐ene (DBU) as a base in acetonitrile. Moreover, the catalyst was easily recovered and reused without any loss of catalytic activity. Sodium bicarbonate could also be hydrogenated using the PdNPore‐1 catalyst.
Accelerating H2 Evolution by Anodic Semi‐dehydrogenation of Tetrahydroisoquinolines in Water over Co3O4 Nanoribbon Arrays Decorated Nickel Foam
Authors: Xiang Ming , Xu Zhihua , Wang Jinghao , Yang Xiaoqiu , Yan Zhaoxiong
Published: March 2021

Coupling the H2 evolution reaction in water with thermodynamically favorable organic oxidation reactions is highly desirable, because it can enhance the energy conversion efficiency compared with electrocatalytic water splitting, and produce value‐added chemicals instead of O2 in the anodic reaction. Herein, Co3O4 nanoribbon arrays in situ grown on nickel foam (Co3O4@NF) was employed as an effective electrocatalyst for the selective oxidation of tetrahydroisoquinolines (THIQs). Various value‐added semi‐dehydrogenation products including dihydroisoquinolines with electro‐deficient or ‐rich groups could be obtained with moderate yields and faradaic efficiencies. Benefitting from the rich surface active sites of Co3O4@NF, a two‐electrode (Co3O4@NF||Pt) electrolytic system drove a benchmark current density of 10 mA cm−2 at a cell voltage as low as 1.446 V in 1.0 M KOH aqueous solution containing 0.02 M THIQ, which was reduced by 174 mV in comparison with that of overall water splitting.
How organizations adapt their HR practices to a changing environment: 11 theoretical dimensions to inform human resource management
Authors: Cloutier Julie , Robert‐Huot Geneviève
Published: March 2021

Despite the growing interest in Strategic Human Resource Management (SHRM), little is known about the process by which organizations adapt their HR practices to changes in the environment. In order to open this so‐called black box, we transpose 11 theoretical perspectives of organizational change from the field of management to HRM. We also highlight the contributions of each one according to the dimensions of change: the what (the nature of the change in HR practices); the why (triggers for change); the what for (the goals targeted by the change); and the how (the process by which the change in HR practices is implemented).
Clinical and inflammatory characteristics of patients with asthma in the Spanish MEGA project cohort
Authors: Rial Manuel J. , Álvarez‐Puebla Maria J. , Arismendi Ebymar , Caballero María L. , Cañas José A. , Cruz María J. , González‐Barcala Francisco J. , Luna Juan A. , Martínez‐Rivera Carlos , Mullol Joaquim , Muñoz Xavier , Olaguibel José M. , Picado César , Plaza Vicente , Quirce Santiago , Romero‐Mesones Christian , Salgado Francisco‐Javier , Sastre Beatriz , Soto‐Retes Lorena , Valero Antonio , Valverde Marcela , Sastre Joaquín , Pozo Victora del
Published: March 2021

Introduction

The MEGA (MEchanism underlying the Genesis and evolution of Asthma) project is a multicenter cohort study carried out in eight Spanish hospitals, gathering clinical, physiological, and molecular data from patients with asthma and multimorbidities in order to gain insight into the different physiopathological mechanisms involved in this disorder.

Material and Methods

We report the baseline clinical and physiological characteristics and biomarker measures of adult participants in the project with the aim of better understanding the natural history and underlying mechanisms of asthma as well as the associated multimorbidities across different levels of severity. We carried out a detailed clinical examination, pulmonary function testing, measurement of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), blood counts, induced sputum, skin prick tests, chest computed tomography scan, asthma questionnaires, and multimorbidity assessment in 512 asthmatic patients.

Results

When compared to patients with milder disease, severe asthmatic patients showed greater presence of symptoms, more exacerbations, lower asthma control, increased airflow obstruction, and higher frequency of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, severe rhinitis, anxiety and depression, gastroesophageal reflux, and bronchiectasis.

Conclusion

The MEGA project succeeded in recruiting a high number of asthma patients, especially those with severe disease, who showed lower control and higher frequency of multimorbidities.
Mechanistic Considerations About an Unexpected Ramipril Drug‐Drug Interaction in the Development of a Triple Fixed‐Dose Combination Product Containing Ramipril, Amlodipine, and Atorvastatin
Authors: Hermann Robert , Gundlach Kristina , Seiler Dan
Published: March 2021

This open‐label, repeat‐dose, fixed‐sequence study in healthy subjects examined pharmacokinetic drug‐drug interactions between the components of a novel fixed‐dose combination product containing ramipril, amlodipine, and atorvastatin. Sequential 5‐day monotreatments (MTs) of ramipril (5 mg/d) and atorvastatin (40 mg/d) were followed by a 9‐day amlodipine MT (5 mg/d), separated by 96 hours washout intervals. After amlodipine MT, all 3 single‐entity drugs were coadministered for 5 days. Blood samples were taken over the dosing intervals and drug concentrations quantified by high‐performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. Pharmacokinetic parameters were assessed and compared between the MTs and combination treatments by analysis of variance. Eighteen healthy subjects were enrolled and completed the study. No significant difference in maximum concentration (Cmax) and area under the plasma concentration–time curve over the dosing interval (AUC0‐τ) for amlodipine and AUC0‐τ of atorvastatin was observed upon combination treatments versus MTs. Cmax of atorvastatin was slightly decreased (Cmax ratio, 89.3%) when given in combination. Increased exposure of ramipril and less pronounced exposure of ramiprilat were observed in the presence of amlodipine and atorvastatin, with Cmax ratios for ramipril and ramiprilat of 182.6% and 155.9%, and corresponding AUC0‐τ ratios of 150.0% and 112.1%, respectively. These ramiprilat increases are unlikely of clinical relevance, because complete angiotensin‐converting enzyme occupation is achieved with ≥5‐mg ramipril doses, and free ramiprilat is rapidly eliminated. As ramipril is known to be subject to a site‐dependent absorption in the upper small intestine, it is hypothesized that slowing of intestinal motility by atorvastatin or amlodipine or a combined effect of both, increased the residence time of ramipril in its “absorption window,” thereby enhancing its bioavailability.
Giant Faraday effect of FeCo‐BaF and FeCo‐SiN nanogranular films
Authors: Kobayashi Nobukiyo , Ikeda Kenji , Arai Ken‐Ichi
Published: March 2021

We introduce FeCo‐BaF and FeCo‐SiN nanogranular films exhibiting giant Faraday effect. These films have a nanocomposite structure, in which nanometer‐sized FeCo ferromagnetic granules are dispersed in BaF2 or Si3N4 matrix. FeCo‐BaF film has a good figure of merit of Faraday effect from the crystalized BaF2 matrix. FeCo‐SiN film has a large refraction index from the nature of Si3N4 matrix. These properties contribute to the practical application of nanogranular films to optical devices.
Grasshopper herbivory immediately affects element cycling but not export rates in an N‐limited grassland system
Authors: Potthast Karin , Meyer Stefanie , Tischer Alexander , Gleixner Gerd , Sieburg Anne , Frosch Torsten , Michalzik Beate
Published: March 2021

As a cause of ecosystem disturbances, phytophagous insects are known to directly influence the element and organic matter (OM) cycling in ecosystems by their defoliation and excretion activity. This study focuses on the interplay between short‐term, insect herbivory, plant responses to feeding activity, rhizosphere processes, and belowground nutrient availability under nutrient‐poor soil conditions. To test the effects of insect herbivory on OM and nutrient cycling in an N‐limited pasture system, mesocosm laboratory experiments were conducted using Dactylis glomerata as common grass species and Chorthippus dorsatus, a widespread grasshopper species, to induce strong defoliating herbivory. 13CO2 pulse labeling was used together with labeled 15N feces to trace the fate of C in soil respiration at the beginning of herbivory, and of C and N in above‐ and belowground plant biomass, grasshopper, feces, bulk soil, soil microbial biomass, throughfall solutions, and soil solutions. Within five days, herbivory caused a reduction in aboveground grass biomass by about 34%. A linear mixed‐effects model revealed that herbivory significantly increased total dissolved C and N amounts in throughfall solutions by a factor of 4–10 (P < 0.05) compared with the control. In total, 27.6% of the initially applied feces 15N were translocated from the aboveground to the belowground system. A significant enrichment of 15N in roots led to the assumption that feces‐derived 15N was rapidly taken up to compensate for the frass‐related foliar N losses in light of N shortage. Soil microorganisms incorporated newly available 13C; however, the total amount of soil microbial biomass remained unaffected, while the exploitative grass species rapidly sequestered resources to facilitate its regrowth after herbivory attack. Heavy herbivory by insects infesting D. glomerata‐dominated, N‐deficient grasslands remarkably impacted belowground nutrient cycling by an instant amplification of available nutrients, which led to an intensified nutrient competition between plants and soil microorganisms. Consequently, these competitive plant–soil microbe interactions accelerated N cycling and effectively retained herbivory‐mediated C and N surplus release resulting in diminished N losses from the system. The study highlighted the overarching role of plant adaptations to in situ soil fertility in short‐term ecosystem disturbances.
Managing gardens for wildlife: Features that predict mammal presence and abundance in gardens vary seasonally
Authors: Van Helden Bronte E. , Close Paul G. , Stewart Barbara A. , Speldewinde Peter C.
Published: March 2021

Residential gardens in urban areas offer substantial opportunities for biodiversity conservation. To realize this opportunity, a comprehensive understanding of which species prosper in gardens, which mechanisms promote their use of these green spaces and how these mechanisms can be manipulated by residents to achieve conservation outcomes, is needed. While substantial progress has been made in evaluating the mechanisms that influence the diversity, presence, and abundance of wildlife in gardens, how these mechanisms vary seasonally is largely unknown. This study investigated whether the garden features influencing the presence and/or abundance of arboreal, flying, and ground‐dwelling mammals in gardens varied seasonally using acoustic, trapping, and spotlighting surveys undertaken in four consecutive seasons (2018/19) in 52 gardens in southwestern Australia. As animal behavior and resource availability varies seasonally, we predicted that garden features influencing the presence and abundance of mammals in gardens would also vary seasonally. For arboreal and ground‐dwelling mammals, we found that some garden features (e.g., canopy cover and presence of dogs, respectively) were important in more than one season; however, none were important in all seasons with most only being influential in one. No garden features predicted the presence of flying mammals in more than one season. Our results suggest that sampling in a single or few seasons may fail to identify features influencing wildlife at times other than in the season of sampling, or alternatively, may overemphasize factors that do not operate across all seasons. Studies that consider the mechanisms on a seasonal basis will provide a more comprehensive list of features influencing the presence and abundance of animals in gardens. We suggest it is both those features that support wildlife in multiple or all seasons, and those that support critical life‐history events in a single season that could contribute to conservation if manipulated by residents appropriately.
Study on operation in microgrid including hydrogen supplying equipment for contributing power system operation
Authors: Nakamura Yuta , Aoki Mutsumi , Kado Yoshihide , Iki Hiroyuki
Published: March 2021

Promotion of renewable energy such as a photovoltaic generation (PV) is accelerated in the world; however, demand and supply balancing and voltage profile in power system may become worse by generation of renewable energy varied depend on weather condition. Therefore, alternative resources for demand and supply balancing and voltage regulation would be required and hydrogen supplying equipment known as power to gas (P2G), which can regulate active and reactive power by self‐commutation type converter is considered as one of alternative resources. The authors focus on a microgrid including hydrogen supplying equipment for participating demand and supply regulation market and regulating voltage profile in power system. This paper proposes novel method to operate effective and economically for contributing demand and supply regulation and voltage regulation and reveals regulation ability and economic effects obtained by contributing power system operation through numerical case studies in microgrid interconnected to power system.
Forging Inspired Processing of Sodium‐Fluorinated Graphene Composite as Dendrite‐Free Anode for Long‐Life Na–CO2 Cells
Authors: Mao Yangjun , Chen Xiao , Cheng Hao , Lu Yunhao , Xie Jian , Zhang Tao , Tu Jian , Xu Xiongwen , Zhu Tiejun , Zhao Xinbing
Published: March 2021

Na–CO2 batteries recently are emerging as promising energy‐storage devices due to the abundance of Na in the earth's crust and the clean utilization of greenhouse gas CO2. However, similar to metallic Li, metallic Na also suffers from a serious issue of dendrite growth upon repeated cycling, while a facile method to solve this issue is still lacking. In this work, we report an effective, environmentally friendly method to inhibit Na dendrite growth by in situ constructing a stable, NaF‐rich solid electrolyte interface (SEI) layer on metallic Na via adding a small amount (~3 wt%) of fluorinated graphene (FG) in bulk Na. Inspired by the forging processing, a uniform Na/FG composite was obtained by melting and repetitive FG‐adsorbing/hammering processes. The Na/FG–Na/FG half cell exhibits a low voltage hysteresis of 110–140 mV over 700 h at a current density up to 5 mA cm−2 with an areal capacity as high as 5 mAh cm−2. Na–CO2 full cell with the Na/FG anode is able to sustain a stable cycling of 391 cycles at a limited capacity of 1000 mAh g−1. Long cycle life of the cell can be attributed to the protecting effect of the in situ fabricated NaF‐rich SEI layer on metallic Na. Both experiments and density functional theory (DFT) calculations confirm the formation of the NaF‐rich SEI layer. The inhibition effect of the NaF‐rich SEI layer for Na dendrites is verified by in situ optical microscopy observations.
Determinants of maximal oxygen uptake in patients with heart failure
Authors: Roibal Pravio Javier , Barge Caballero Eduardo , Barbeito Caamaño Cayetana , Paniagua Martin Maria Jesus , Barge Caballero Gonzalo , Couto Mallon David , Pardo Martinez Patricia , Grille Cancela Zulaika , Blanco Canosa Paula , García Pinilla Jose Manuel , Vázquez Rodríguez Jose Manuel , Crespo Leiro Maria Generosa
Published: March 2021

Aims

Maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) is an essential parameter to assess functional capacity of patients with heart failure (HF). We aimed to identify clinical factors that determine its value, as they have not been well characterized yet.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective, observational, single‐centre study of 362 consecutive patients with HF who underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) as part of standard clinical assessment since 2009–2019. CPET was performed on treadmill, according to Bruce's protocol (n = 360) or Naughton's protocol (n = 2). We performed multivariable linear regression analyses in order to identify independent clinical predictors associated with peak VO2max.

Results

Mean age of study patients was 57.3 ± 10.9 years, mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 32.8 ± 14.2%, and mean VO2max was 19.8 ± 5.2 mL/kg/min. Eighty‐nine (24.6%) patients were women, and 114 (31.5%) had ischaemic heart disease. Multivariable linear regression analysis identified six independent clinical predictors of VO2max, including NYHA class (B coefficient = −2.585; P < 0.001), age (B coefficient per 1 year = −0.104; P < 0.001), tricuspid annulus plane systolic excursion (B coefficient per 1 mm = +0.209; P < 0.001), body mass index (B coefficient per 1 kg/m2 = −0.172; P = 0.002), haemoglobin (B coefficient per 1 g/dL = +0.418; P = 0.007) and NT‐proBNP (B coefficient per 1000 pg/mL = −0.142; P = 0.019).

Conclusions

The severity of HF (NYHA class, NT‐proBNP) as well as age, body composition and haemoglobin levels influence significantly exercise capacity. In patients with HF, the right ventricular systolic function is of greater importance for the physical capacity than the left ventricular systolic function.
Peptide microarray‐based analysis of antibody responses to SARS‐CoV‐2 identifies unique epitopes with potential for diagnostic test development
Authors: Holenya Pavlo , Lange Paul Joris , Reimer Ulf , Woltersdorf Wolfram , Panterodt Thomas , Glas Michael , Wasner Mark , Eckey Maren , Drosch Michael , Hollidt Jörg‐Michael , Naumann Michael , Kern Florian , Wenschuh Holger , Lange Robert , Schnatbaum Karsten , Bier Frank F.
Published: March 2021

Humoral immunity to the Severe Adult Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) Coronavirus (CoV)‐2 is not fully understood yet but is a crucial factor of immune protection. The possibility of antibody cross‐reactivity between SARS‐CoV‐2 and other human coronaviruses (HCoVs) would have important implications for immune protection but also for the development of specific diagnostic ELISA tests. Using peptide microarrays, n = 24 patient samples and n = 12 control samples were screened for antibodies against the entire SARS‐CoV‐2 proteome as well as the Spike (S), Nucleocapsid (N), VME1 (V), R1ab, and Protein 3a (AP3A) of the HCoV strains SARS, MERS, OC43, and 229E. While widespread cross‐reactivity was revealed across several immunodominant regions of S and N, IgG binding to several SARS‐CoV‐2‐derived peptides provided statistically significant discrimination between COVID‐19 patients and controls. Selected target peptides may serve as capture antigens for future, highly COVID‐19‐specific diagnostic antibody tests.