bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multifunctional Resonance Bridge‐Mediated Dynamic Modulation of Perovskite Films For Enhanced Intrinsic Stability of Photovoltaics
Authors: Xu Ligang , Qiu Wei , Feng Ming , Liang Zuowei , Qian Wei , Zhou Cefeng , Zhang Daiquan , Li Meicheng , Lv Wenzhen , Tao Ye , Chen Runfeng
Published: March 2023

The improving intrinsic stability, determining the life span of devices, is a challenging task in the industrialization of inverted perovskite solar cells. The most important prerequisite for boosting intrinsic stability is high‐quality perovskite films deposition. Here, a molecule, N‐(2‐pyridyl)pivalamide (NPP) is utilized, as a multifunctional resonance bridge between poly(triarylamine) (PTAA) and perovskite film to regulate the perovskite film quality and promote hole extraction for enhancing the device intrinsic stability. The pyridine groups in NPP couple with the phenyl groups in PTAA through π−π stacking to improve hole extraction capacities and minimize interfacial charge recombination, and the resonance linkages (NCO) in NPP dynamically modulate the perovskite buried defects through strong PbO bonds based on the fast self‐adaptive tautomerization between resonance forms (NCO and N+CO−). Because of the combined effect of the reduction defect density and improved energy level in the perovskite buried interfaces as well as the optimized crystal orientation in perovskite film enabled by the NPP substrate, the devices based on NPP‐grown perovskite films show an efficiency approaching 20% with negligible hysteresis. More impressively, the unencapsulated device displays start‐of‐the‐art intrinsic photostability, operating under continuous 1‐sun illumination for 2373 h at 65 °C without loss of PCE.
Recent Advances in Confining Polyoxometalates and the Applications
Authors: Guo Lin , He Lei , Zhuang Qinghe , Li Bole , Wang Cuifeng , Lv Yanfei , Chu Jinfeng , Song Yu‐Fei
Published: March 2023

Polyoxometalates (POMs) are widely used in catalysis, energy storage, biomedicine, and other research fields due to their unique acidity, photothermal, and redox features. However, the leaching and agglomeration problems of POMs greatly limit their practical applications. Confining POMs in a host material is an efficient tool to address the above‐mentioned issues. POM@host materials have received extensive attention in recent years. They not only inherent characteristics of POMs and host, but also play a significant synergistic effect from each component. This review focuses on the recent advances in the development and applications of POM@host materials. Different types of host materials are elaborated in detail, including tubular, layered, and porous materials. Variations in the structures and properties of POMs and hosts before and after confinement are highlighted as well. In addition, an overview of applications for the representative POM@host materials in electrochemical, catalytic, and biological fields is provided. Finally, the challenges and future perspectives of POM@host composites are discussed.
A Li–Li4Ti5O12 Composite Anode for Reducing Interfacial Resistance of Solid‐State Batteries
Authors: Cao Chencheng , Zhong Yijun , Chen Bingbing , Cai Rui , Shao Zongping
Published: March 2023

The high energy density and stability of solid‐state lithium batteries (SSBs) have garnered attention. Garnet electrolytes are widely explored in SSBs due to their huge electrochemical potential window, high effective ionic conductivity, and reasonable production cost. However, the electrochemical stability of a metallic lithium anode and a garnet electrolyte pose obstacles to the widespread use of garnet‐based SSBs. To remedy these problems, Li4Ti5O12 (LTO) is added to the metallic lithium anode. With superior wettability on the garnet electrolyte compared to pure metallic Li, Li–LTO is a more desirable electrolyte. Increased wettability between the garnet electrolyte and Li–LTO composite is responsible for the larger absolute value of the interface formation energy found in the first principal density‐functional theory calculation. Since the interface resistance between the Li–LTO composite anodes (25 Ω cm2) and the Li metal (270 Ω cm2) is much lower, Li dendrite development is effectively suppressed. An all‐lithium battery with a Li–LTO anode and a LiFePO4 cathode shows excellent capacity retention of 95% after 450 cycles. This discovery may serve as inspiration for future efforts to create a metallic Li‐containing anode for lithium batteries and other functional LTO‐based composites.
Adapting a strategic foresight framework to reuse integration
Authors: Grumbach Joshua Logan
Published: March 2023

The integration of reuse components and subsystems into complex systems is continuing to increase in development programs as a method to reduce resources needed and to reduce complexity. Previous research identified that reuse can commonly be a driver of system integration failures. A previous work identified four considerations for ensuring that reuse is integrated into a system successfully. This paper adapts a framework from the discipline of Strategic Foresight that provides a fixed roadmap for addressing the considerations. The framework consists of 10 guidelines across six phases, Framing, Scanning, Forecasting, Visioning, Planning, and Acting. The framework was evaluated against 18 historical systems that failed due to reuse components or subsystems to determine if the framework would have mitigated the failure mechanisms around the reuse. The framework was found to have mitigated 100% of the failure mechanisms across the 18 systems.
Triphenyl phosphate‐induced macrophages dysfunction by activation TLR4‐mediated ERK/NF‐κB pathway
Authors: Lin Zeheng , Zhang Wei , Li Xing , Du Bohai , Li Tianlan , He Haoqi , Lu Xianzhu , Zhang Chunmei , Liu Yiwa , Ni Jindong , Li Li , Shi Ming
Published: March 2023

Triphenyl phosphate (TPHP) is one of the most widely used organic phosphorus flame retardants and is ubiquitous in the environment. Studies have been reported that TPHP may lead to obesity, neurotoxicity and reproductive toxicity, but its impact on the immune system is almost blank. The present study was aimed to investigate the potential immunotoxicity of TPHP on macrophages and its underlying mechanism. The results demonstrated for the first time that TPHP (12.5, 25, and 50 μM)‐induced F4/80+CD11c+ phenotype of RAW 264.7 macrophages, accompanied by increased mRNA levels of inflammatory mediators, antigen‐presenting genes (Cd80, Cd86, and H2‐Aa), and significantly enhanced the phagocytosis of macrophage. Meanwhile, TPHP increased the expression of Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4), and its co‐receptor CD14, leading to significant activation of the downstream ERK/NF‐κB pathway. However, co‐exposure of cells to TAK‐242, a TLR4 inhibitor, suppressed TPHP‐induced F4/80+CD11c+ phenotype, and down‐regulated inflammatory mediators and antigen‐presentation related genes, via blocked the TLR4/ERK/NF‐κB pathway. Taken together, our results suggested that TPHP could induce macrophage dysfunction through activating TLR4‐mediated ERK/NF‐κB signaling pathway, and it may be the potential reason for health‐threatening consequences.
Garden aggression: does food lead to clashes?
Authors: Mills Georgina
Published: March 2023

Georgina Mills discusses new research looking at how wild animals visiting urban gardens act when there is food at stake.
Why do we not afford wildlife the same protections as we do for other animals?
Authors: Simmons Alick
Published: March 2023

Alick Simmons argues that methods to manage wildlife and ‘pests’ would not be accepted for other animals, and that the profession should do more to protect the welfare of such animals.
Metal‐Free Transfer C−H Borylation of Substituted Thiophenes
Authors: Desrosiers Vincent , Gaudy Audrey , Giroux Kelly‐Anne , Fontaine Frédéric‐Georges
Published: March 2023

Thiophenes are crucial chemical building blocks in the fields of medicinal and material chemistry. As such, the C−H functionalization of these units is of key importance for developing novel applications. Herein, we report the C−H borylation of thiophenes using metal‐free transfer C−H borylation. When performed on C2‐substituted thiophenes, the reaction is selective for the borylation on C5, while C3‐substituted thiophenes are borylated on C2, a complementary selectivity from reported C−H borylation approaches that typically prefer to borylate at the C5 position. An optimization of the catalytic system was performed. The reaction was shown to work with electronically diverse thiophenes and was also compatible with sensitive functional groups. Computational investigation of the reaction mechanism suggests a Lewis pair C−H activation mechanism with a selectivity that is kinetically driven. The methodology developed herein is an economical pathway for the preparation of C2‐borylated C3‐substituted thiophenes.
Psychological Constructs as Organizing Principles
Authors: Borsboom Denny
Published: March 2023

Klaas Sijtsma has suggested that psychological constructs, such as those invoked in the study of intelligence, personality, and psychopathology, should be understood as organizing principles with respect to elements of behavior, including item response behavior. In a discussion in the journal Psychometrika, Sijtsma (Psychometrika, 71(3), 451–455 (2006)) contrasted this position with the common cause interpretation of Item Response Theory (IRT) models and the associated theory of validity that I had articulated some years earlier (Borsboom, Psychological Review, 111(4), 1061–1071 (2004)), arguing that this theory of validity was far too strong given the immature status of psychological constructs. In the present chapter, I present an alternative understanding of IRT models in terms of psychometric networks, which is inspired by Sijtsma’s idea of constructs as organizing principles. From the weak premise that psychological constructs organize behaviors, in the sense of identifying behavioral elements that structurally hang together, in the present chapter, I show how one can build up a psychometric approach that can motivate and guide the use of tests in psychology in the absence of strong common cause interpretations.
Bounding entanglement wedge cross sections
Authors: Jain Parul , Jokela Niko , Järvinen Matti , Mahapatra Subhash
Published: March 2023

Abstract

The entanglement wedge cross sections (EWCSs) are postulated as dual gravity probes to certain measures for the entanglement of multiparty systems. We test various proposed inequalities for EWCSs. As it turns out, contrary to expectations, the EWCS is not clearly monogamous nor polygamous for tripartite systems but the results depend on the details and dimensionality of the geometry of the gravity solutions. We propose weaker monogamy relations for dual entanglement measures, which lead to a new lower bound on EWCS. Our work is based on a plethora of gravity backgrounds: pure anti de Sitter spaces, anti de Sitter black branes, those induced by a stack of Dp-branes, and cigar geometries in generic dimension.
AdS/BCFT with brane-localized scalar field
Authors: Kanda Hiroki , Sato Masahide , Suzuki Yu-ki , Takayanagi Tadashi , Wei Zixia
Published: March 2023

Abstract

In this paper, we study the dynamics of end-of-the-world (EOW) branes in AdS with scalar fields localized on the branes as a new class of gravity duals of CFTs on manifolds with boundaries. This allows us to construct explicit solutions dual to boundary RG flows. We also obtain a variety of annulus-like or cone-like shaped EOW branes, which are not possible without the scalar field. We also present a gravity dual of a CFT on a strip with two different boundary conditions due to the scalar potential, where we find the confinement/deconfinement-like transition as a function of temperature and the scalar potential. Finally, we point out that this phase transition is closely related to the measurement-induced phase transition, via a Wick rotation.
Aggregation-prone TDP-43 sequesters and drives pathological transitions of free nuclear TDP-43
Authors: Keating Sean S. , Bademosi Adekunle T. , San Gil Rebecca , Walker Adam K.
Published: March 2023

Aggregation of the RNA-binding protein, TDP-43, is the unifying hallmark of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia. TDP-43-related neurodegeneration involves multiple changes to normal physiological TDP-43, which undergoes nuclear depletion, cytoplasmic mislocalisation, post-translational modification, and aberrant liquid–liquid phase separation, preceding inclusion formation. Along with toxic cytoplasmic aggregation, concurrent depletion and dysfunction of normal nuclear TDP-43 in cells with TDP-43 pathology is likely a key potentiator of neurodegeneration, but is not well understood. To define processes driving TDP-43 dysfunction, we used CRISPR/Cas9-mediated fluorescent tagging to investigate how disease-associated stressors and pathological TDP-43 alter abundance, localisation, self-assembly, aggregation, solubility, and mobility dynamics of normal nuclear TDP-43 over time in live cells. Oxidative stress stimulated liquid–liquid phase separation of endogenous TDP-43 into droplet-like puncta, or spherical shell-like anisosomes. Further, nuclear RNA-binding-ablated or acetylation-mimicking TDP-43 readily sequestered and depleted free normal nuclear TDP-43 into dynamic anisosomes, in which recruited endogenous TDP-43 proteins remained soluble and highly mobile. Large, phosphorylated inclusions formed by nuclear or cytoplasmic aggregation-prone TDP-43 mutants also caused sequestration, but rendered endogenous TDP-43 immobile and insoluble, indicating pathological transition. These findings suggest that RNA-binding deficiency and post-translational modifications including acetylation exacerbate TDP-43 aggregation and dysfunction by driving sequestration, mislocalisation, and depletion of normal nuclear TDP-43 in neurodegenerative diseases.
Inhibition of LXR controls the polarization of human inflammatory macrophages through upregulation of MAFB
Authors: de la Aleja Arturo González , Herrero Cristina , Torres-Torresano Mónica , Schiaffino María Teresa , del Castillo Alejandro , Alonso Bárbara , Vega Miguel A. , Puig-Kröger Amaya , Castrillo Antonio , Corbí Ángel L.
Published: March 2023

Monocyte-derived macrophages contribute to pathogenesis in inflammatory diseases and their effector functions greatly depend on the prevailing extracellular milieu. Whereas M-CSF primes macrophages for acquisition of an anti-inflammatory profile, GM-CSF drives the generation of T cell-stimulatory and pro-inflammatory macrophages. Liver X Receptors (LXRα and LXRβ) are nuclear receptors that control cholesterol metabolism and regulate differentiation of tissue-resident macrophages. Macrophages from rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory pathologies exhibit an enriched LXR pathway, and recent reports have shown that LXR activation raises pro-inflammatory effects and impairs the acquisition of the anti-Inflammatory profile of M-CSF-dependent monocyte-derived macrophages (M-MØ). We now report that LXR inhibition prompts the acquisition of an anti-inflammatory gene and functional profile of macrophages generated within a pathological environment (synovial fluid from Rheumatoid Arthritis patients) as well as during the GM-CSF-dependent differentiation of human monocyte-derived macrophages (GM-MØ). Mechanistically, inhibition of LXR results in macrophages with higher expression of the v-Maf Avian Musculoaponeurotic Fibrosarcoma Oncogene Homolog B (MAFB) transcription factor, which governs the macrophage anti-inflammatory profile, as well as over-expression of MAFB-regulated genes. Indeed, gene silencing experiments on human macrophages evidenced that MAFB is required for the LXR inhibitor to enhance the anti-inflammatory nature of human macrophages. As a whole, our results demonstrate that LXR inhibition prompts the acquisition of an anti-inflammatory transcriptional and functional profile of human macrophages in a MAFB-dependent manner, and propose the use of LXR antagonists as potential therapeutic alternatives in macrophage re-programming strategies during inflammatory responses.
Significant impact of time-of-day variation on metformin pharmacokinetics
Authors: Türk Denise , Scherer Nina , Selzer Dominik , Dings Christiane , Hanke Nina , Dallmann Robert , Schwab Matthias , Timmins Peter , Nock Valerie , Lehr Thorsten
Published: March 2023

Aims/hypothesis

The objective was to investigate if metformin pharmacokinetics is modulated by time-of-day in humans using empirical and mechanistic pharmacokinetic modelling techniques on a large clinical dataset. This study also aimed to generate and test hypotheses on the underlying mechanisms, including evidence for chronotype-dependent interindividual differences in metformin plasma and efficacy-related tissue concentrations.

Methods

A large clinical dataset consisting of individual metformin plasma and urine measurements was analysed using a newly developed empirical pharmacokinetic model. Causes of daily variation of metformin pharmacokinetics and interindividual variability were further investigated by a literature-informed mechanistic modelling analysis.

Results

A significant effect of time-of-day on metformin pharmacokinetics was found. Daily rhythms of gastrointestinal, hepatic and renal processes are described in the literature, possibly affecting drug pharmacokinetics. Observed metformin plasma levels were best described by a combination of a rhythm in GFR, renal plasma flow (RPF) and organic cation transporter (OCT) 2 activity. Furthermore, the large interindividual differences in measured metformin concentrations were best explained by individual chronotypes affecting metformin clearance, with impact on plasma and tissue concentrations that may have implications for metformin efficacy.

Conclusions/interpretation

Metformin’s pharmacology significantly depends on time-of-day in humans, determined with the help of empirical and mechanistic pharmacokinetic modelling, and rhythmic GFR, RPF and OCT2 were found to govern intraday variation. Interindividual variation was found to be partly dependent on individual chronotype, suggesting diurnal preference as an interesting, but so-far underappreciated, topic with regard to future personalised chronomodulated therapy in people with type 2 diabetes.

Graphical abstract
Non-isothermal thin-film flow of a viscoplastic material over topography: critical Bingham number for a partial slump
Authors: Moyers-Gonzalez Miguel , Hewett James N. , Cusack Dale R. , Kennedy Ben M. , Sellier Mathieu
Published: March 2023

This paper considers the non-isothermal flow of a viscoplastic fluid on a horizontal or an inclined surface with a flat, a step-up and a step-down topography. A particular application of interest is the spread of a fixed mass—a block—of material under its own weight. The rheology of the fluid is described by the Bingham model which includes the effect of yield stress, i.e. a threshold stress which must be exceeded before flow can occur. Both the plastic viscosity and the yield stress are modelled with temperature-dependent parameters. The flow is described by a reduced model with a thin-film equation for the height of the block and a depth-averaged energy conservation equation for the heat transfer. Results show that for large values of the yield stress, only the outer fraction of the fluid spreads outward, the inner fraction remaining unyielded, hence the block only partially slumps. Conversely, for small values of the yield stress, the entire block of fluid becomes yielded and therefore slumps. We present an analysis which predicts the critical value of the yield stress for which partial slump occurs and how it depends on temperature.

Graphical abstract
Piezoresistive behavior of DLP 3D printed CNT/polymer nanocomposites under monotonic and cyclic loading
Authors: Saadi Omar Waqas , Schiffer Andreas , Kumar S.
Published: March 2023

This study examines the piezoresistive behavior of MWCNT/polymer composites fabricated by the digital light processing (DLP) technique. A photocurable nanocomposite resin feedstock possessing low viscosity with excellent printability and high conductivity was developed for DLP 3D printing of bulk and cellular geometries. By optimizing the resin composition and synthesis route, electrical percolation was achieved at an ultra-low MWCNT loading of 0.01 phr (parts per hundred resin), providing a conductivity of 3.5 × 10−5 S m−1, which is significantly higher than the values reported in the extant works for similar nanocomposites. Reducing the MWCNT content also enhanced the piezoresistivity of the nanocomposite due to longer inter-MWCNT distances in the percolating conductive network. Under quasi-static tensile loading, the nanocomposite with 0.01 phr MWCNT loading showed gauge factors of 2.40 and 4.78, corresponding to the elastic and inelastic regime, respectively. Quasi-static cyclic tensile tests with constant strain amplitudes (within elastic regime) revealed that the response of the nanocomposite was affected by viscoelastic deformation, which caused significant changes in the material’s strain sensing performance between consecutive load cycles. Finally, the developed resin was used to realize a self-sensing gyroid lattice structure, and its strain and damage sensing capabilities were demonstrated.
Preclinical development and evaluation of nanobody-based CD70-specific CAR T cells for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Cheng Jiali , Ge Tong , Zhu Xiaojian , Wang Jue , Zeng Yuhao , Mu Wei , Cai Haodong , Dai Zhenyu , Jin Jin , Yang Yongkun , Hu Guang , Mao Xia , Zhou Jianfeng , Zhu Li , Huang Liang
Published: March 2023

Background

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) treatment remains challenging. CD70 was reported as a promising AML-specific antigen. Preclinically, CAR T-cell with single-chain-variable fragment (scFv) or truncated CD27 targeting CD70 has been reported to treat AML. However, various disadvantages including spontaneous exhaustion, proteinase-mediated loss of functional receptors, and high immunogenicity, limited its further application to clinical settings. Alternatively, the single-variable domain on heavy chain (VHH), also known as nanobodies, with comparable binding ability and specificity, provides an optional solution.

Method

We generated CD70 knocked-out novel nanobody-based anti-CD70-CAR T-cells (nb70CAR-T) with two different VHHs for antigen detection. Next, we detected the CD70 expression on primary AML blasts by flow cytometry and associated the efficacy of nb70CAR-T with the target antigen density. Finally, epigenetic modulators were investigated to regulate the CD70 expression on AML cells to promote the functionality of nb70CAR-T.

Results

Our nb70CAR-T exhibited expected tumoricidal functionality against CD70-expressed cell lines and primary AML blasts. However, CD70 expression in primary AML blasts was not consistently high and nb70CAR-T potently respond to an estimated 40.4% of AML patients when the CD70 expression level was over a threshold of 1.6 (MFI ratio). Epigenetic modulators, Decitabine and Chidamide can up-regulate CD70 expression on AML cells, enhancing the treatment efficacy of nb70CAR-T.

Conclusion

CD70 expression in AML blasts was not fully supportive of its role in AML targeted therapy as reported. The combinational use of Chidamide and Decitabine with nb70CAR-T could provide a new potential for the treatment of AML.
The impact of pre-transplantation nephrectomy on quality of life in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease
Authors: Geertsema Paul , Gansevoort Ron T. , Brenkman Lisanne P. J. , Dekker Shosha E. I. , Eleveld Damia V. P. , de Fijter Johan W. , Leliveld Anna M. , Levy Maya , Meijer Esther , Pol Robert A. , Schillern Emmelien E. M. , Sanders Jan-Stephan F. , Casteleijn Niek F.
Published: March 2023

Purpose

In selected ADPKD patients, a nephrectomy is required in the work-up for a kidney transplantation. Because the impact of this procedure is unknown, we investigated the effect of pre-transplantation nephrectomy on quality of life in this group.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study all ADPKD patients, ≥ 18 years, who received a kidney transplantation in 2 ADPKD expertise centers between January 2000 and January 2016, were asked to participate. Quality of life was assessed using three validated questionnaires on three time points. Nephrectomy was performed in preparation for transplantation.

Results

Two hundred seventy-six ADPKD patients (53 ± 9 years, 56.2% male) were included. 98 patients (35.5%) underwent native nephrectomy in preparation for transplantation, of which 43 underwent bilateral nephrectomy. Pre-transplantation, ADPKD-IS scores were worse in the nephrectomy group vs. no-nephrectomy group (physical: 2.9 vs. 2.3, p < 0.001; emotional: 2.0 vs. 1.8, p = 0.03; fatigue: 3.0 vs. 2.3, p = 0.01). Post-transplantation and post-nephrectomy, ADPKD-IS scores improved significantly in both groups, with a significantly higher improvement in the nephrectomy group. During follow-up, all scores were still better compared to pre-transplantation. Observed physical QoL (ADPKD-IS physical 1.3 vs. 1.7, p = 0.04; SF-36 physical 50.0 vs. 41.3, p = 0.03) was better post-transplantation after bilateral nephrectomy compared to unilateral nephrectomy. In retrospect, 19.7% of patients would have liked to undergo a nephrectomy, while the decision not to perform nephrectomy was made by the treating physician.

Conclusion

This study shows that pre-transplantation nephrectomy improves quality of life in selected ADPKD patients. Bilateral nephrectomy may be preferred, although the risk of additional complications should be weighted.
Spinal astrocyte dysfunction drives motor neuron loss in late-onset spinal muscular atrophy
Authors: Schmitt Linda-Isabell , David Christina , Steffen Rebecca , Hezel Stefanie , Roos Andreas , Schara-Schmidt Ulrike , Kleinschnitz Christoph , Leo Markus , Hagenacker Tim
Published: March 2023

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a progressive neuromuscular disorder caused by a loss of the survival of motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene, resulting in a loss of spinal motor neurons (MNs), leading to muscle weakness and wasting. The pathogenesis of MN loss in SMA and the selective vulnerability in different cellular populations are not fully understood. To investigate the role of spinal astrocytes in the pathogenesis of late-onset SMA, we used a mouse model in addition to in vitro approaches. Immunostaining, Western blot analysis, small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) transfections, functional assays, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), behavioral tests, and electrophysiological measurements were performed. Early activation of spinal astrocytes and a reduction of the excitatory amino acid transporter 1 (EAAT1) on postnatal day (P) 20 preceded the loss of spinal MNs in SMA mice occurring on P42. EAAT1 reduction resulted in elevated glutamate levels in the spinal cord of SMA mice at P20 and P42. SMA-like astrocytes generated by siRNA and an ex vivo model of glutamate excitotoxicity involving organotypic spinal cord slice cultures revealed the critical role of glutamate homeostasis in the degeneration of MNs. The pre-emptive administration of arundic acid (AA), as an inhibitor of astrocyte activation, to SMA mice prior to the loss of motor neurons (P28) resulted in elevated EAAT1 protein levels compared to vehicle-treated SMA mice and prevented the increase of glutamate in the spinal cord and the loss of spinal MNs. Furthermore, AA preserved motor functions during behavioral experiments, the electrophysiological properties, and muscle alteration of SMA mice. In a translational approach, we transfected healthy human fibroblasts with SMN1 siRNA, resulting in reduced EAAT1 expression and reduced uptake but increased glutamate release. These findings were verified by detecting elevated glutamate levels and reduced levels of EAAT1 in cerebrospinal fluid of untreated SMA type 2 and 3 patients. In addition, glutamate was elevated in serum samples, while EAAT1 was not detectable. Our data give evidence for the crucial role of spinal astrocytes in the pathogenesis of late-onset SMA, a potential driving force for MN loss by glutamate excitotoxicity caused by EAAT1 reduction as an early pathophysiological event. Furthermore, our study introduces EAAT1 as a potential therapeutic target for additional SMN-independent therapy strategies to complement SMN-enhancing drugs.
The effects of standardised versus individualised seat height on 1-minute sit-to-stand test performance in healthy individuals: a randomised crossover trial
Authors: Kuhn Manuel , Vollenweider Sibylle , Clarenbach Christian F. , Kohlbrenner Dario
Published: March 2023

Purpose

We aimed to (i) investigate differences in 1-minute sit-to-stand test (1MSTST) performance (i.e., the number of repetitions) between a standardised modality (i.e., starting from a conventional chair with 46 cm seat height) and an individualised modality (i.e., starting with a knee joint flexion angle of 90°), and to (ii) quantify the influence of tibia and femur length on 1MSTST performance.

Methods

Healthy participants were recruited for this randomised crossover study, performing each 1MSTST modality twice in a randomised order. The primary outcome was the number of repetitions in the 1MSTST. Secondary endpoints were the acute responses in peripheral oxygen saturation, heart rate, and leg fatigue and dyspnoea. Additionally, we investigated correlations of performance with knee extensor strength in both modalities.

Results

Thirty participants were recruited and completed the study. They achieved significantly less repetitions in the standardised 1MSTST compared to the individualised 1MSTST (B = − 12.1, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] =  − 14.8/− 9.4, p < 0.001). We found a significant effect of femur length on 1MSTST performance (B = − 1.6, 95% CI = − 2.6/− 0.7, p = 0.01), tibia length showed significant interaction with the 1MSTST modality (B = 1.2, 95% CI = 0.2/2.2, p = 0.03).

Conclusion

An individualisation of the 1MSTST starting position to 90° knee flexion angle leads to more repetitions compared to the traditional starting position. The higher repetition count is explained by controlling for differences in tibia length. We recommend individualisation of the 1MSTST, enabling more valid comparisons across populations and study samples.

Trial registration number

http://www.ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04772417.

Trial registration date

February 26, 2021.
Quality of life changes over time and predictors in a large head and neck patients’ cohort: secondary analysis from an Italian multi-center longitudinal, prospective, observational study—a study of the Italian Association of Radiotherapy and Clinical Oncology (AIRO) head and neck working group
Authors: Viganò Anna , De Felice Francesca , Iacovelli Nicola Alessandro , Alterio Daniela , Ingargiola Rossana , Casbarra Alessia , Facchinetti Nadia , Oneta Olga , Bacigalupo Almalina , Tornari Elena , Ursino Stefano , Paiar Fabiola , Caspiani Orietta , Di Rito Alessia , Musio Daniela , Bossi Paolo , Steca Patrizia , Jereczek-Fossa Barbara Alicja , Caso Letizia , Palena Nicola , Greco Andrea , Orlandi Ester
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The present study examined the longitudinal trajectories, through hierarchical modeling, of quality of life among patients with head and neck cancer, specifically symptoms burden, during radiotherapy, and in the follow-up period (1, 3, 6, and 12 months after completion of radiotherapy), through the M.D. Anderson Symptom Inventory Head and Neck questionnaire, formed by three factors. Furthermore, analyses were conducted controlling for socio-demographic as well as clinical characteristics.

Methods

Multi-level mixed-effects linear regression was used to estimate the association between quality of life and time, age, gender, household, educational level, employment status, ECOG performance status, human papilloma virus (HPV) status, surgery, chemotherapy, alcohol intake, and smoking.

Results

Among the 166 participants, time resulted to be a predictor of all the three questionnaire factors, namely, general and specific related symptoms and interference with daily life. Moreover, regarding symptom interference with daily activities factor, HPV-positive status played a significant role. Considering only HPV-negative patients, only time predicted patients’ quality of life. Differently, among HPV-positive patients, other variables, such as gender, educational level, alcohol use, surgery, age at diagnosis, employment status, and ECOG status, resulted significant.

Conclusion

It was evident that quality of life of patients with head and neck cancer declined during RT, whereas it slowly improved after ending treatment. Our results clarified the role of some socio-demographic and clinical variables, for instance, HPV, which would allow to develop treatments tailored to each patient.
Microscopic synchrotron X-ray analysis of mercury waste in simulated landfill experiments
Authors: Takaoka Masaki , Kusakabe Taketoshi , Shiota Kenji , Hirata Osamu , Kawase Keizou , Yanase Ryuji , Nitta Kiyofumi
Published: March 2023

Mercury enters into the environment or waste streams because it is present as an impurity in natural minerals. Mercury must be appropriately managed as an hazardous waste. In this study, a waste layer of artificial mercury sulfide mixed with incinerator ash and sewage sludge compost in a simulated landfill experiment for 5 years was analyzed using microscopic synchrotron X-ray to obtain basic knowledge of mercury behavior in a landfill. Mapping by synchrotron X-ray revealed the distribution of mercury-containing particles in the waste layer. In most cases, the movement of mercury sulfide was not considered significant even within a microscopic range; however, water flows could enhance the movement of mercury sulfide particles. When disposing of mercury sulfide, “concentrated placement” or solidification, rather than mixing with other wastes, was more effective at preventing mercury leaching in lysimeters. The chemical form of mercury sulfide in each lysimeter was confirmed by X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) analysis, which showed that most of the mercury was present as metacinnabar and had not undergone any changes, indicating that it was extremely stable. The microscopic synchrotron X-ray analysis proved very useful for studying the behavior of mercury waste in a simulated landfill experiment.
The behaviour of selected rare-earth elements during the conversion of phosphogypsum to calcium sulphide and residue
Authors: Christophe Nsaka Ntumba , McCrindle Rob , Maree Jannie , Ngole-Jeme Veronica
Published: March 2023

Phosphogypsum (PG) is a large hazardous waste from fertiliser and phosphoric acid industries from which useful products including rare-earth elements (REEs) can be recovered depending on the treatment process. Its conversion to calcium sulphide (CaS) which was achieved at 95% followed by the formation of S, CaCO3 and residue is one of the plausible treatment processes leading to economic and environmental benefits. This study aimed at monitoring selected REEs behaviour during the conversion of (PG) to (CaS). The concentrations of REEs in the raw PG, the produced CaS and the obtained residue were determined after digestion (microwave and traditional acid leaching) using ICP-OES. The effect of CO2 and H2S used in the process of forming CaCO3 and S from PG on the concentrations of REEs was also investigated. Microwave digestion proved to be more effective than traditional acid leaching in the recovery of REEs. Microwave digestion using 3 mL HNO3 + 1 mL HCl was more effective than 1 mL HNO3 + 3 mL in REEs recovery. CaS contained the highest amount of Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Ho, Er, La and Y with values of 2646, 476, 2255, 320, 60.5, 376, 79.8, 1.24, 476, 1185 and 318 µg/g respectively. Based on these findings, the residue could be further processed to recover REEs despite less than 40% decrease in concentration for the majority of REEs observed due to the use of H2S and CO2. CO2 was found to be more suitable as fewer REEs were leached as compared to H2S. All things considered, the obtained residue could be a good secondary source of REEs as it is easier to leach, retained good amount of REEs and lesser impurities.
A developed distributed ledger technology architectural layer framework for decentralized governance implementation in virtual enterprise
Authors: Anthony Jnr. Bokolo
Published: March 2023

Distributed Ledger technology (DLT) has recently emerged as a disruptive system with a wide range of applicability, with prospect to improve societal interactions at large. In virtual enterprise (VE) context researchers and practitioners have started to investigate the deployment of DLT to automate the processing of data and implementation of decisions to support the provision of digital services. Although academic interest in this domain is growing, a practical analysis of DLT from a governance perspective is still lacking to date. Accordingly, this study aims to fill this gap and provide implications related to decentralized governance of DLT. This article develops an architectural governance-by-design framework that defines the governance of DLT as a combination of architectural layers and governance of DLT dimensions. Design science is employed, and IOTA tangle an open-source DLT which employs a decentralized asynchronous network is deployed to evaluate the applicability of the developed architectural governance-by-design framework through qualitative interviews and literature inquiry. The findings confirm the developed architectural governance-by-design framework and offer a shared discussion and insight surrounding the topic of governance of DLT. The findings also identify limitations associated with governance of DLT solutions and proposes policy recommendations to be used as guidelines for practitioners to improve the adoption of DLT to accelerate VE digitalization.
Spiranthes hachijoensis (Orchidaceae), a new species within the S. sinensis species complex in Japan, based on morphological, phylogenetic, and ecological evidence
Authors: Suetsugu Kenji , Hirota Shun K. , Hayakawa Hiroshi , Fujimori Shohei , Ishibashi Masayuki , Hsu Tian-Chuan , Suyama Yoshihisa
Published: March 2023

The systematics of the Old World Spiranthes sinensis (Pers.) Ames species complex (Orchidaceae) has been complicated by its wide distribution and morphological variations. Within the species complex, S. australis Lindl. has been generally accepted as the only Spiranthes Rich. species distributed on the Japanese mainland. The present study provides morphological, phylogenetic, and ecological evidence for the recognition of S. hachijoensis Suetsugu as a new species of the S. sinensis species complex on the Japanese mainland. Spiranthes hachijoensis is morphologically similar to S. hongkongensis S.Y. Hu & Barretto and S. nivea T.P. Lin & W.M. Lin, sharing a degenerated rostellum, pollinia without a viscidium, and distinctly trilobed stigma. However, the taxon can be morphologically distinguished from S. hongkongensis by its glabrous rachis, ovaries, and sepals, and from S. nivea by its papillate labellum disc, larger papillate basal labellum callosities, and glabrous rachis, ovaries, and sepals. The autogamy and flowering phenology (i.e., earlier flowering) of S. hachijoensis are most likely responsible for premating isolation from the sympatric S. australis. A MIG-seq-based high-throughput molecular analysis indicated that the genetic difference between S. hachijoensis and its putative sister species S. sinensis is comparable to, or even greater than, the genetic difference between pairs of other species within the S. sinensis species complex. Our multifaceted approach strongly supports the recognition of S. hachijoensis as a morphologically, phenologically, phylogenetically, and ecologically distinct species.
Investment disputes and their explicit role in option market uncertainty and overall risk instability
Authors: Drábek Zdeněk , Kopa Miloš , Maciak Matúš , Pešta Michal , Vitali Sebastiano
Published: March 2023

We propose a methodological approach for capturing and analyzing the impacts of investment disputes on option markets. A dispute submission typically brings in unspecified uncertainty and additional risk. The implied volatility of options is shown to reflect such effects. However, nontrivial caution and nonstandard statistical techniques are needed to analyze them appropriately. Artificial options with a constant (over time) maturity are introduced to emphasize these effects. A panel data representation of artificial implied volatility smiles is used to ensure the overall model flexibility, transparency, and its practical interpretability. Finally, a stochastically valid changepoint detection procedure is adopted to reveal significant impacts of an investment dispute on the overall riskiness and the stock price evolution. The results show significant impacts of the first tribunal meeting and the first procedural order of the disputes under consideration.
Visual modelling can optimise the appearance and capture efficiency of sticky traps used to manage insect pests
Authors: Dearden Alexander E. , Wood Martyn J. , Frend Henry O. , Butt Tariq. M. , Allen William L.
Published: March 2023

Sticky traps are one of the most important tools for monitoring and mass trapping of insect pests. Their effectiveness depends on attracting and capturing target pests efficiently. Trap colour strongly affects capture rates, but currently a principled approach to identifying optimal trap colour for a given pest and growing context is lacking. Here we propose that modelling pest colour vision enables identification of trap colours that optimise pest capture rates. We test this novel approach to trap design in field trials on Western flower thrips (WFT) Frankiniella occidentalis, an economically damaging pest of agriculture and horticulture worldwide. Prior studies have reported that WFT prefer blue and yellow sticky traps, aligning with recent evidence that WFT have trichromatic colour vision with peak sensitivities in the UV, blue and green portion of the visual spectrum and a blue-green colour opponent mechanism. Therefore, we hypothesised that a shade of blue that maximally stimulates the blue photoreceptor whilst minimally stimulating the green photoreceptor would improve sticky trap capture rates, while a shade of blue that decreased the opponent response would reduce capture rates. In three field experiments, we found strong support for this hypothesis: the optimised blue colour captured 1.3–2.6  times  more WFT than current commercial trap colours. Our results also demonstrated that visual modelling can identify optimally contrasting colours for two-colour traps that further improve capture rates. This study provides a novel and principled approach to the design of visual traps that could be extended to other pest management contexts.
A preliminary assessment of food policy obstacles in California’s produce recovery networks
Authors: Chiarella Cristina , Lamoureaux Yulia , Pires Alda A. F. , Surls Rachel , Bennaton Robert , Van Soelen Kim Julia , Grady Suzanne , Ramos Thais M. , Koundinya Vikram , DiCaprio Erin
Published: March 2023

California is a landmark setting for studying produce recovery efforts and policy implications because of its global relevance in agricultural production, its complex network of food recovery organizations, and its environmental and public health regulations. Through a series of focus groups with organizations involved in produce recovery (gleaning organizations) and emergency food operations (food banks, food pantries), this study aimed to deepen our understanding of the current produce recovery system and determine the major challenges and opportunities related to the produce recovery system. Operational and systematic barriers to produce recovery were highlighted by both gleaning and emergency food operations. Operational barriers, such as the lack of appropriate infrastructure and limited logistical support were found to be a challenge across groups and were directly tied to inadequate funding for these organizations. Systematic barriers, such as regulations related to food safety or reducing food loss and waste, were also found to impact both gleaning and emergency food organizations, but differences were observed in how each type of regulation impacted each stakeholder group. To support the expansion of food recovery efforts, participants expressed need for better coordination within and across food recovery networks and more positive and transparent engagement from regulators to increase understanding of the specifics of their unique operational constraints. The focus group participants also provided critiques on how emergency food assistance and food recovery are inscribed within the current food system and for longer term goals of reducing food insecurity and food loss and waste a systematic change will be required.
Atlas of ticks (Acari: Argasidae, Ixodidae) in Germany: 1st data update
Authors: Rubel Franz , Zaenker Stefan , Weigand Alexander , Weber Dieter , Chitimia-Dobler Lidia , Kahl Olaf
Published: March 2023

The first data update of the atlas of ticks in Germany published in 2021 is presented here. This atlas provides maps based on georeferenced tick locations of 21 species endemic in Germany as well as three tick species that are regularly imported to Germany. The data update includes the following numbers of newly georeferenced tick locations: 17Argas reflexus, 79Carios vespertilionis, 2Dermacentor marginatus, 43Dermacentor reticulatus, 4Haemaphysalis concinna, 3Haemaphysalis punctata, 3Hyalomma rufipes, 3Ixodes apronophorus, 9Ixodes arboricola, 1Ixodes ariadnae, 30Ixodes canisuga, 3Ixodes frontalis, 80Ixodes hexagonus, 3Ixodes lividus, 497Ixodes ricinus/inopinatus, 1Ixodes rugicollis, 17Ixodes trianguliceps, 14Ixodes vespertilionis, and 45Rhipicephalus sanguineussensu lato. Old and new tick findings were mapped, such as the northernmost occurrence ofD. marginatusin Germany observed in 2021, but also the historical records from the first descriptions ofI. apronophorusandI. arboricola, which were georeferenced here for the first time. The digital dataset of tick locations available for Germany is supplemented by 854 new tick locations. These records increase the number of tick species mapped in the federal states Bavaria, Brandenburg and Mecklenburg Western Pomerania by five each, those in Berlin and Schleswig-Holstein by four each, those in Hamburg by three, those in Baden-Wuerttemberg, Bremen, Lower Saxony, Northrhine-Westphalia, Rhineland Palatinate and Thuringia by two each, and those in Hesse, Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt by one each. Thus, the first data update of the tick atlas in Germany and the underlying digital dataset significantly improve our knowledge of the distribution of these tick species and helps to investigate the effects of climate change and habitat changes on them.
Assay conditions for estimating differences in base excision repair activity with Fpg-modified comet assay
Authors: Zheng Congying , Collins Andrew , Brunborg Gunnar , van Schooten Frederik-Jan , Nordengen Anne Lene , Shaposhnikov Sergey , Godschalk Roger
Published: March 2023

DNA repair is an essential agent in cancer development, progression, prognosis, and response to therapy. We have adapted a cellular repair assay based on the formamidopyrimidine DNA glycosylase (Fpg)-modified comet assay to assess DNA repair kinetics. The removal of oxidized nucleobases over time (0–480 min) was analyzed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and 8 cell lines. DNA damage was induced by exposure to either Ro19-8022 plus visible light or potassium bromate (KBrO3). The initial amount of damage induced by Ro 19–8022 plus light varied between cell lines, and this was apparently associated with the rate of repair. However, the amount of DNA damage induced by KBrO3 varied less between cell types, so we used this agent to study the kinetics of DNA repair. We found an early phase of ca. 60 min with fast removal of Fpg-sensitive sites, followed by slower removal over the following 7 h. In conclusion, adjusting the initial damage at T0 to an equal level can be achieved by the use of KBrO3, which allows for accurate analysis of subsequent cellular DNA repair kinetics in the first hour after exposure.

Graphical Abstract