bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
EpiList 1.0: a global checklist of vascular epiphytes
Authors: Zotz Gerhard , Weigelt Patrick , Kessler Michael , Kreft Holger , Taylor Amanda
Published: March 2021

Epiphytes make up roughly 10% of all vascular plant species globally and play important functional roles, especially in tropical forests. However, to date, there is no comprehensive list of vascular epiphyte species. Here, we present EpiList 1.0, the first global list of vascular epiphytes based on standardized definitions and taxonomy. We include obligate epiphytes, facultative epiphytes, and hemiepiphytes, as the latter share the vulnerable epiphytic stage as juveniles. Based on 978 references, the checklist includes >31,000 species of 79 plant families. Species names were standardized against World Flora Online for seed plants and against the World Ferns database for lycophytes and ferns. In cases of species missing from these databases, we used other databases (mostly World Checklist of Selected Plant Families). For all species, author names and IDs for World Flora Online entries are provided to facilitate the alignment with other plant databases, and to avoid ambiguities. EpiList 1.0 will be a rich source for synthetic studies in ecology, biogeography, and evolutionary biology as it offers, for the first time, a species‐level overview over all currently known vascular epiphytes. At the same time, the list represents work in progress: species descriptions of epiphytic taxa are ongoing and published life form information in floristic inventories and trait and distribution databases is often incomplete and sometimes even wrong. Since the epiphytic growth blends into soil‐rooted growth and vice versa, the inclusion or exclusion of particular species in the current list will sometimes be contentious. Thus, initiating a well‐founded discussion was one of the motivations for compiling this database; our list represents 31,311 hypotheses on the life form of plant species, and we welcome feedback on possible omission or erroneous inclusions. We release these data into the public domain under a Creative Commons Zero license waiver. When you use the data in your publication, we request that you cite this data paper. If EpiList 1.0 is a major part of the data analyzed in your study, you may consider inviting the EpiList 1.0 core team as collaborators.
Unclusterable, underdispersed arrangement of insect‐pollinated plants in pollinator niche space
Authors: Herrera Carlos M.
Published: March 2021

Pollinators can mediate facilitative or competitive relationships between plant species, but the relative importance of these two conflicting phenomena in shaping community‐wide pollinator resource use remains unexplored. This article examines the idea that the arrangement of large samples of plant species in Hutchinsonian pollinator niche space (n‐dimensional hypervolume whose axes represent pollinator types) can help to evaluate the comparative importance of facilitation and competition as drivers of pollinator resource use at the community level. Pollinator composition data were gathered for insect‐pollinated plants from the Sierra de Cazorla mountains (southeastern Spain), comprising ~95% of widely distributed insect‐pollinated species. The following questions were addressed at regional (45 sites, 221 plant species) and local (1 site, 73 plant species) spatial scales: (1) Do plant species clusters occur in pollinator niche space? Four pollinator niche spaces differing in dimensionality were considered, the axes of which were defined by insect orders, families, genera, and species. (2) If all plant species form a single, indivisible cluster, are they overdispersed or underdispersed within the cluster relative to a random arrangement? “Clusterability” tests failed to reject the null hypothesis that there was only one pollinator‐defined plant species cluster in pollinator niche space, irrespective of spatial scale, pollinator niche space, or pollinator importance measurement (proportions of pollinator individuals or flowers visited by each pollinator type). Observed means of interspecific dissimilarity in pollinator composition were smaller than randomly simulated values in the order‐, family‐, and genus‐defined pollinator niche spaces. This finding revealed an underdispersed arrangement of plant species in each of these pollinator niche spaces. In the undisturbed montane habitats studied, arrangement of insect‐pollinated plant species in the various niche spaces defined by pollinator composition did not support a major role for interspecific competition as a force shaping community‐wide pollinator resource use by plants, but rather suggested a situation closer to the facilitation‐dominated extreme in a hypothetical competition‐facilitation gradient. Results also highlight the importance of investigations on complete or nearly complete insect‐pollinated plant communities for suggesting and testing novel hypotheses on the ecology and evolution of plant–pollinator systems.
Longitudinal profiling of circulating miRNA during cardiac allograft rejection: a proof‐of‐concept study
Authors: Kennel Peter J. , Yahi Alexandre , Naka Yoshifumi , Mancini Donna M. , Marboe Charles C. , Max Klaas , Akat Kemal , Tuschl Thomas , Vasilescu Elena‐Rodica M. , Zorn Emmanuel , Tatonetti Nicholas P. , Schulze Paul Christian
Published: March 2021

Aims

Allograft rejection following heart transplantation (HTx) is a serious complication even in the era of modern immunosuppressive regimens and causes up to a third of early deaths after HTx. Allograft rejection is mediated by a cascade of immune mechanisms leading to acute cellular rejection (ACR) and/or antibody‐mediated rejection (AMR). The gold standard for monitoring allograft rejection is invasive endomyocardial biopsy that exposes patients to complications. Little is known about the potential of circulating miRNAs as biomarkers to detect cardiac allograft rejection. We here present a systematic analysis of circulating miRNAs as biomarkers and predictors for allograft rejection after HTx using next‐generation small RNA sequencing.

Methods and results

We used next‐generation small RNA sequencing to investigate circulating miRNAs among HTx recipients (10 healthy controls, 10 heart failure patients, 13 ACR, and 10 AMR). MiRNA profiling was performed at different time points before, during, and after resolution of the rejection episode. We found three miRNAs with significantly increased serum levels in patients with biopsy‐proven cardiac rejection when compared with patients without rejection: hsa‐miR‐139‐5p, hsa‐miR‐151a‐5p, and hsa‐miR‐186‐5p. We identified miRNAs that may serve as potential predictors for the subsequent development of ACR: hsa‐miR‐29c‐3p (ACR) and hsa‐miR‐486‐5p (AMR). Overall, hsa‐miR‐486‐5p was most strongly associated with acute rejection episodes.

Conclusions

Monitoring cardiac allograft rejection using circulating miRNAs might represent an alternative strategy to invasive endomyocardial biopsy.
Enhancing Performance of a Bis(arylimino)pyridine‐Iron Precatalyst for Ethylene Polymerization by Substitution with a 2,4‐Bis(4,4′‐dimethoxybenzhydryl)‐6‐methylphenyl Group
Authors: Yuan Shi‐Fang , Fan Zhe , Han Mingyang , Yan Yi , Flisak Zygmunt , Ma Yanping , Liang Tongling , Sun Wen‐Hua
Published: March 2021

A series of unsymmetrical 2‐(2,4‐bis(bis(4‐methoxyphenyl)methyl)‐6‐MeC6H2N)‐6‐(1‐(arylimino)ethyl)pyridine‐iron halides has been synthesized and characterized. The molecular structure of two representative species was determined by the single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Activated with either MAO or MMAO, the precatalysts displayed high activity, reaching 2.19×107 g PE (mol Fe)−1 h−1at 60 °C in ethylene polymerization. The microstructural analysis of the polymers obtained indicates highly linear polyethylene containing a vinyl chain end.
Electroanalysis of Benzalkonium Chloride in Ophthalmic Formulation by Boron‐doped Diamond Electrode
Authors: Alghamdi Huda , Alsaeedi Majidah , Buzid Alyah , Glennon Jeremy D. , Luong John H. T.
Published: March 2021

Benzalkonium chloride (BAK) is a mixture of alkyl benzyl dimethyl ammonium chlorides, which is used primarily as a biocide, surfactant, preservative, and antimicrobial agent in the pharmaceutical industry, in particular in ophthalmologic and nasal solutions. However, BAK may cause harmful consequences on the eye structures of the anterior segment. Control of BAK identity and content is necessary by applying a sensitive detection method. This study unravels the use of a glassy carbon (GC) electrode and a pristine boron‐doped diamond electrode (BDD) for the detection of four BAK homologs in a non‐aqueous medium using square wave voltammetry (SWV). The BDD provided more reproducibility of the oxidation potential than GC with a correlation coefficient of 0.999. The irreversible oxidation peak was very broad and deconvoluted into 3 peaks corresponding to C12, C14, and combined C16–C18to reflect their concentration ratio in the mixture. The method was then extended to the detection of the C12homolog in the ophthalmic formulations with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.4 μg/mL. The estimated BAK levels in three  ophthalmic formulations were in agreement with the specified values by the manufacturers. The results were validated by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with ultraviolet (UV) detection, confirming the presence of a single homolog (C12) in the eye drops.
Molecularly Imprinted Poly‐o‐phenylenediamine Electrochemical Sensor for Entacapone
Authors: Radi Abd‐Elgawad , Ragaa Abd‐Ellatief Maha
Published: March 2021

We have developed a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) electrochemical sensor for entacapone (ETC) based on an electropolymerised polyphenylenediamine (Po‐PD) on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) surface. The direct electropolymerisation of the o‐phenylenediamine monomer (o‐PD) was carried out with ETC as a template. The steps of electropolymerization process, template removal and binding of the analyte were tested by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) using [Fe(CN)6]3−/[Fe(CN)6]4 − as a redox probe. The operation of the sensor has been investigated by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). Under optimal experimental conditions, the response of the DPV was linearly proportional to the ETC concentration between 1.0×10−7 and 5.0×10−6 M ETC with a limit of detection (LOD) of 5.0×10−8 M. The developed sensor had excellent selectivity without detectable cross‐reactivity for levodopa and carbidopa. The MIP sensor was successfully used to detect ETC in spiked human serum samples.
Mother's curse is pervasive across a large mitonuclearDrosophilapanel
Authors: Carnegie Lorcan , Reuter Max , Fowler Kevin , Lane Nick , Camus M. Florencia
Published: March 2021

The maternal inheritance of mitochondrial genomes entails a sex-specific selective sieve, whereby mutations in mitochondrial DNA can only respond to selection acting on females. In theory, this enables male-harming mutations to accumulate in mitochondrial genomes as long as they are neutral, beneficial, or only slightly deleterious to females. Ultimately, this bias could drive the evolution of male-specific mitochondrial mutation loads, an idea known as mother's curse. Earlier work on this hypothesis has mainly used small Drosophila panels, in which naturally sourced mitochondrial genomes were coupled to an isogenic nuclear background. The lack of nuclear genetic variation in these designs has precluded robust generalization. Here, we test the predictions of mother's curse using a large Drosophila mitonuclear genetic panel, comprising nine isogenic nuclear genomes coupled to nine mitochondrial haplotypes, giving a total of 81 different mitonuclear genotypes. Following a predictive framework, we tested the mother's curse hypothesis by screening our panel for wing size. This trait is tightly correlated with overall body size and is sexually dimorphic in Drosophila. Moreover, growth is heavily reliant on metabolism and mitochondrial function, making wing size an ideal trait for the study of the impact of mitochondrial variation. We detect high levels of mitonuclear epistasis, and more importantly, we report that mitochondrial genetic variance is larger in male than female Drosophila for eight out of the nine nuclear genetic backgrounds used. These results demonstrate that the maternal inheritance of mitochondrial DNA does indeed modulate male life history traits in a more generalisable way than previously demonstrated.
An efficient iterative method for radiation heat conduction problems
Authors: Yao Yanzhong , Miao Shuai , Lv Guixia
Published: March 2021

To solve radiation hydrodynamics problems efficiently, a well‐designed iterative method is crucial. In practical applications, the conventional Picard iterative method is widely used due to its advantages, such as implementation simplicity and no Jacobian matrix computations. However, its convergence rate is very low. To address the “slow convergence” problem, we present an acceleration strategy based on simple iterative methods by the relaxation technique in this article, and construct a general iteration acceleration framework which unifies simple iterative methods with some second order iterative methods in form. By this acceleration strategy, we develop and analyze an improved iterative method for the nonlinear heat equation based on the characteristics of the finite volume schemes, and compare with the conventional Picard method. Numerical results indicate that, the improved iterative method is much faster than the conventional Picard method while retaining its main advantages, and the finer the computational grids become, the closer the convergence rate approaches to the second order. In addition, according to the guidance of the acceleration framework, it is easy to design novel iterative schemes for radiation heat conduction equations.
Investigating the structural properties and in vitro digestion of rice flours
Authors: Farooq Muhammad Adil , Murtaza Mian Anjum , Aadil Rana Muhammad , Arshad Rizwan , Rahaman Abdul , Siddique Rabia , Hassan Sadia , Akhtar Hafiz Muhammad Saleem , Manzoor Muhammad Faisal , Karrar Emad , Ali Amjad , Haq Ahsan Ul
Published: March 2021

The physicochemical properties, swelling power, solubility, and digestibility of flour from four rice varieties (black, brown, white, and waxy rice flour) were analyzed. The results showed that the black and brown rice had high‐amylose percentage (21.8% and 20.5%), a relatively low percentage of starch content (68.1% and 79.1%), and lower swelling power (6.6% and 7.6%) and solubility (13.5% and 15.7%), respectively. Waxy rice flour attributed to lower gelatinization temperatures and higher enthalpy values. Meanwhile, the brown, black, and white rice showed higher gelatinization temperature and lower enthalpy value. The black and brown rice flour exhibited lower pasting and viscosity values as compared to waxy rice flour. The results showed that all rice flour had an A‐type X‐ray diffraction pattern, and after cooking all rice flour showed V‐type polymorphs except waxy rice flour. Brown and black rice flour after cooking have lower digestion rate than white rice and waxy rice flour, probably due to its lower expansion and solubility rates, and higher gelatinization temperature.
Effects of microwave treatment on the stability and antioxidant capacity of a functional wheat bran
Authors: Liu Jing , Zhang Jinli , Wang Wentao , Hou Hanxue
Published: March 2021

A functional wheat bran (FWB) was obtained from wheat grains that were rich in wheat aleurone. The effects of the microwave (MW) power (2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10.0 kW) and treatment time (15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 s) on the moisture and free fatty acid (FFA) content, lipase activity, and antioxidant activity of the FWB were investigated. The purpose of this study is to stabilize the FWB against lipid oxidation and rancidity and as much as possible to retain its antioxidant activities. MW treatment significantly decreased the FFA content, moisture content, and lipase activity of the FWB. Moreover, MW treatment significantly increased the total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity of the FWB without drastically altering its color. MW treatment at 7.5 kW and 120 s was found to be optimal for stabilizing the FWB and increasing its antioxidant activity. The stabilized FWB was proven to be far more stable than the control FWB during storage. Thus, MW treatment is an effective stabilization method for the storage and utilization of FWB. Additional research is needed for the exact mechanism of the decrease of FFA content and increase of antioxidant activity of FWB induced by MW treatment.
Alpha‐lipoic acid alleviates NAFLD and triglyceride accumulation in liver via modulating hepatic NLRP3 inflammasome activation pathway in type 2 diabetic rats
Authors: Ko Chih‐Yuan , Lo Yangming Martin , Xu Jian‐Hua , Chang Wen‐Chang , Huang Da‐Wei , Wu James Swi‐Bea , Yang Cho‐Hua , Huang Wen‐Chung , Shen Szu‐Chuan
Published: March 2021

The occurrence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The activation of nucleotide‐binding domain and leucine‐rich‐containing family, pyrin domain‐containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome in the liver may lead to hepatic fat accumulation. Alpha‐lipoic acid (ALA) has been reported to improve IR in a T2DM rodent model. We investigated the effects of ALA on NLRP3 inflammasome activation and fat accumulation in the liver of a high‐fat diet (HFD) plus streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced T2DM rats. The HFD/STZ‐induced T2DM rats were orally administered ALA (50, 100, or 200 mg/kg BW) once a day for 13 weeks. The results showed that the liver triglyceride contents of T2DM rats were 11.35 ± 1.84%, whereas the administration of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg BW ALA significantly reduced the liver triglyceride contents of T2DM rats to 4.14 ± 0.59%, 4.02 ± 0.41%, and 3.01 ± 1.07%, respectively. Moreover, 200 mg/kg BW ALA significantly decreased the hepatic levels of NLRP3 inflammasome activation‐related proteins NLRP3, caspase‐1, and interleukin‐1β expression by 40.0%, 60.1%, and 24.5%, respectively, in T2DM rats. Furthermore, the expression levels of hepatic fat synthesis‐related proteins decreased, namely a 45.4% decrease in sterol regulatory element‐binding protein‐1c, whereas the expression of hepatic lipid oxidation‐related proteins increased, including a 27.5% increase in carnitine palmitoyltransferase, in T2DM rats after 200 mg/kg BW ALA treatment. We concluded that ALA treatment may suppress hepatic NLRP3 inflammasome activation, consequently alleviating NAFLD and excess hepatic lipid accumulation in HFD/STZ‐induced T2DM rats.
Impact of thermal extrusion and microwave vacuum drying on fatty acids profile during fish powder preparation
Authors: Ahmad Nazir , Hussain Abid , Khan Sipper , Korma Sameh A. , Hussain Ghulam , Aadil Rana Muhammad , Siddique Rabia , Ali Anwar , Shabbir Umair , Haq Ahsan Ul , Manzoor Muhammad Faisal , Siddeeg Azhari
Published: March 2021

The current study aimed to optimize the process for ready‐to‐eat extruded fish powder preparation and to ascertain the impact of two methods on fatty acid profiles. For the investigation, Labeo rohita (Rohu) fish was first minced, extruded, and microwave vacuum‐dried. The results show that the yield for extruded fish powder (EFP) fluctuated from 22.32% to 29.07%. The maximum retention for docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), arachidonic acid (AA), and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) was 3.24 ± 0.08 g/100 g lipids, 2.74 ± 0.05 g/100 g lipids, and 1.24 ± 0.09 g/100 g lipids, by using different extrusion parameters. Moreover, nonsignificant changes were observed during 0 days, and 1 and 3 months of storage (at 4°C and 25°C) for DHA, AA, and EPA, whereas significant results were recorded for the samples stored for 6 months at 25°C. Also, the maximum peroxide value (PV) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance values (TBARS) were 1.72 ± 0.04 meq/kg fat and 0.135 ± 0.008 mg malondialdehyde/kg fat. It is anticipated from the outcomes that the study will be helpful to prepare value‐added food products in future studies.
Off‐market block trades: New evidence on transparency and information efficiency
Authors: Frino Alex
Published: March 2021

This paper examines the price impact of off‐market block trades in futures markets. Consistent with previous literature based on stock markets, a statistically significant price reaction is documented around the time that the trades are executed. This paper extends previous work by documenting a further statistically significant price reaction at the time that block trades are later reported. Contrary to previous research, these findings imply that delaying the reporting of off‐market trades has an impact on markets by delaying the speed of adjustment to the information conveyed by block trades and therefore market price efficiency.
New evidence on commodity stocks
Authors: Daskalaki Charoula
Published: March 2021

This paper investigates whether commodity‐related equities (commodity stocks) should be included in investors' portfolios. In light of the recent financialization of commodity futures markets, it examines the diversification benefits derived from investing in commodity stocks and compares them with those derived from commodity futures. The empirical evidence indicates that over the prefinancialization period, commodity futures provide superior diversification benefits whereas over the postfinancialization period, commodity stock investing is more profitable. Further analysis on the relationship between commodity futures and stock markets reveals that the investor can use price‐based signals from futures markets to achieve high commodity stock returns.
When it pays to follow the crowd: Strategy conformity and CTA performance
Authors: Bollen Nicolas P. B. , Hutchinson Mark C. , O'Brien John
Published: March 2021

Prior research in hedge fund and mutual fund management finds a positive relation between portfolio distinctiveness and subsequent performance, suggesting that strategy differentiation is associated with superior skill. We find that commodity trading advisors (CTAs) with returns that correlate more strongly with those of peers feature higher performance and are more highly exposed to a time series momentum factor. Strategy conformity appears to be a signal of managerial skill in CTAs, in contrast to hedge funds and mutual funds. These results indicate that a common trend following strategy drives CTA returns and that CTAs offer investors an opportunity to invest in momentum.
How does skewness perform in the Chinese commodity futures market?
Authors: Jiang Xue , Han Liyan , Xu Yang
Published: March 2021

This paper investigates a negative relationship between skewness and expected returns in China's commodity futures market. Unlike the impact of skewness in the US commodity markets, the impact of skewness in Chinese commodity markets is completely monotonic and asymmetric, which indicates more potential arbitrage opportunities in China's commodity markets. Also, we demonstrate that skewness is an effective risk factor in China's commodity futures market that contains different information from traditional risk factors. Investors require positive risk compensation for lower skewness. Empirical findings are shown to be robust with alternative skewness measures in different business cycles.
Pricing VIX options with realized volatility
Authors: Tong Chen , Huang Zhuo
Published: March 2021

We investigate the role of realized volatility in pricing VIX options by using the generalized affine realized volatility (GARV) model, and the Realized generalized autoregressive conditionally heteroscedastic (GARCH) model. We develop a closed‐form pricing formula for the (affine) GARV model. For the (nonaffine) log‐linear Realized GARCH model, we introduce a novel approximation approach to derive its analytical pricing formula. Empirical results show that models with realized volatility significantly outperform competing models based on daily returns only, both in‐ and out‐of‐sample. The Realized GARCH model offers the best pricing performance, as it has fewer constraints and a more flexible modeling structure.
Evaluating probability of containment effectiveness at a GCS site using integrated assessment modeling approach with Bayesian decision network
Authors: Wang Zan , Dilmore Robert M. , Bacon Diana H. , Harbert William
Published: March 2021

Improved scientific and engineering understanding of the behavior of geologic CO2 storage together with established regulatory framework and incentive structures raise the prospects for accelerated, large‐scale deployment of this greenhouse gas emissions reduction approach. Incentive structures call for the establishment of appropriate verification and accounting approaches to support claims of the integrity of a geologic storage complex and to justify taking credit for long‐term storage. In this study, we present a framework for assessing the probability of containment effectiveness over the lifetime of a geologic carbon storage site (e.g., after 70 years of injection and postinjection site performance) using forward stochastic model realizations based on site characterization data and using a monitoring‐informed Bayesian network based on hypothetical detectability from surface seismic surveys over the site injection and post‐injection phases. The National Risk Assessment Partnership's open‐source Integrated Assessment Model (NRAP‐Open‐IAM) was utilized to develop an ensemble of 10,000 a priori stochastic forecasts of CO2 containment. Those simulations were used to train the Bayesian network model to estimate the prior probabilities of the CO2 leakage mass into overlying, monitorable aquifers considering the uncertainties in the reservoir properties, permeability of potentially leaky wells and the overlying aquifers. The conditional probabilities in the Bayesian network were either learned from the NRAP‐Open‐IAM simulations or derived from the predefined detection thresholds for the monitoring method. Observations obtained from monitoring, over time during the site operation phases were then used to generate updated posterior probabilities of containment (and any loss from containment) in the Bayesian network by propagating the prior probabilities through the conditional probabilities. We demonstrate how to construct and use the Bayesian network for verifying the long‐term storage complex effectiveness informed by monitoring based on the NRAP‐Open‐IAM simulations previously developed for the FutureGen 2.0 site. This approach may have relevance for stake holders to demonstrate secure geologic storage, provide a defensible, probabilistic approach to claim credit for geologic storage, and to estimate the likelihood that any fraction of the claimed credit may need to be refunded to the creditor based on available monitoring information. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mining‐disturbed coal damage and permeability evolution: Model and validation
Authors: Xu Chao , Cao Mingyue , Wang Kai , Fu Qiang , Qin Liangliang
Published: March 2021

Coalbed methane (CBM) is not only the material cause of gas explosion and coal‐gas outburst disasters during underground coal mining, but also a kind of clean energy. Coal permeability is an important parameter for CBM drainage. Although many coal permeability models have been developed in the past decades to describe the permeability evolution characteristics under elastic state, few of them could explain the permeability behavior of the mining‐disturbed coal which is often the situation of CBM drainage during underground coal mining. The paper analyzed the mechanical factors affecting the damage‐permeability characteristics of mining‐disturbed coal, proposed the concept of the deviatoric stress ratio (DSR), and then established the statistical damage and permeability evolution models based on DSR. Results show that the deformation and damage of coal is controlled by the deviatoric stress and minimum principal stress. The plastic damage degree of coal mass becomes more serious with DSR increase, which leads to the improvement in permeability. The damage constitutive model was established based on the Weibull distribution function and DSR, and then the permeability model of mining‐disturbed coal was built combining the Kozeny–Carman equation. The acoustic emission (AE) and permeability experiments of the loading and unloading coal sample were conducted. After normalizing and fitting the accumulative AE counts, the damage and permeability evolutions with respect to DSR were found out. The model‐predicted permeability could match with the experiment results, verifying the reliability of the theoretical permeability model. The purpose of this paper is to provide a new approach for modeling damage and permeability of mining‐disturbed coal based on DSR. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hydroclimate variability during the last two millennia from the mudflats of Diu Island, Western India
Authors: Banerji Upasana S. , Bhushan Ravi , Joshi Kumar Batuk , Shaji Jithu , Jull A. J. Timothy
Published: March 2021

The climate variability over western India has been significantly influenced by the perturbations in the Indian summer monsoon (ISM) and thus, provides a crucial platform to investigate the paleomonsoon variations, weathering intensity, and sediment source. The mudflats of southern Saurashtra, western India are deprived of perennial rivers, but the region receives terrestrial contribution exclusively due to activation of seasonal rivers during the monsoon. In the present study, an attempt has been made to investigate the paleomonsoon and palaeoweathering using various geochemical proxies (detrital, productivity, redox, and weathering) on the mudflat sediment core of southern Saurashtra, western Gujarat. The core is chronologically constrained by 14C, 210Pb, and 137Cs dating techniques. The study suggests ISM strengthening during 2000–1800 cal yr BP with intermittent marginal ISM weakening during 1950–1970 cal yr BP and 1930–1890 cal yr BP associated with the reduced solar irradiance. Further, ISM weakening has been invoked during Dark Age Cold period (1800–1300 cal yr BP) and Little Ice Age (800–200 cal yr BP) interrupted by a marginal ISM strengthening during Medieval Warm period and the last two centuries witness climate warming. Based on historical rainfall data and Al2O3, an intermittent strengthening of ISM during 90–30 cal yr BP has been suggested while a gradual increase in the weathering intensity synchronous to the rise in sea surface temperature (SST) during the last 200 cal yr BP revealed the role of temperature on the intensity of chemical weathering in the study area. In spite of changes in the geochemical proxies as a function of ISM fluctuations, the palaeoweathering intensities has remained nearly consistent wherein the chemical weathering was less operative and accompanied by the deposition of texturally immature sediments. The sediments of Diu mudflat indicate mafic signatures thereby underscoring a major contribution of the Deccan basalts along with other variable sources.
Outcome of COVID‐19 in Patients With Autoimmune Hepatitis: An International Multicenter Study
Authors: Efe Cumali , Dhanasekaran Renumathy , Lammert Craig , Ebik Berat , Higuera‐de la Tijera Fatima , Aloman Costica , Rıza Calışkan Ali , Peralta Mirta , Gerussi Alessio , Massoumi Hatef , Catana Andreea M. , Torgutalp Murat , Purnak Tugrul , Rigamonti Cristina , Gomez Aldana Andres Jose , Khakoo Nidah , Kacmaz Hüseyin , Nazal Leyla , Frager Shalom , Demir Nurhan , Irak Kader , Ellik Zeynep Melekoğlu , Balaban Yasemin , Atay Kadri , Eren Fatih , Cristoferi Laura , Batıbay Ersin , Urzua Álvaro , Snijders Romee , Kıyıcı Murat , Akyıldız Murat , Ekin Nazım , Carr Rotonya M. , Harputluoğlu Murat , Hatemi Ibrahim , Mendizabal Manuel , Silva Marcelo , Idilman Ramazan , Silveira Marina , Drenth Joost P.H. , Assis David N. , Björnsson Einar , Boyer James L. , Invernizzi Pietro , Levy Cynthia , Schiano Thomas D. , Ridruejo Ezequiel , Wahlin Staffan
Published: March 2021

Background and Aims

Data regarding outcome of COVID‐19 in patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) are lacking.

Approach and Results

We performed a retrospective study on patients with AIH and COVID‐19 from 34 centers in Europe and the Americas. We analyzed factors associated with severe COVID‐19 outcomes, defined as the need for mechanical ventilation, intensive care admission, and/or death. The outcomes of patients with AIH were compared to a propensity score–matched cohort of patients without AIH but with chronic liver diseases (CLD) and COVID‐19. The frequency and clinical significance of new‐onset liver injury (alanine aminotransferase > 2 × the upper limit of normal) during COVID‐19 was also evaluated. We included 110 patients with AIH (80% female) with a median age of 49 (range, 18‐85) years at COVID‐19 diagnosis. New‐onset liver injury was observed in 37.1% (33/89) of the patients. Use of antivirals was associated with liver injury (P = 0.041; OR, 3.36; 95% CI, 1.05‐10.78), while continued immunosuppression during COVID‐19 was associated with a lower rate of liver injury (P = 0.009; OR, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.09‐0.71). The rates of severe COVID‐19 (15.5% versus 20.2%, P = 0.231) and all‐cause mortality (10% versus 11.5%, P = 0.852) were not different between AIH and non‐AIH CLD. Cirrhosis was an independent predictor of severe COVID‐19 in patients with AIH (P < 0.001; OR, 17.46; 95% CI, 4.22‐72.13). Continuation of immunosuppression or presence of liver injury during COVID‐19 was not associated with severe COVID‐19.

Conclusions

This international, multicenter study reveals that patients with AIH were not at risk for worse outcomes with COVID‐19 than other causes of CLD. Cirrhosis was the strongest predictor for severe COVID‐19 in patients with AIH. Maintenance of immunosuppression during COVID‐19 was not associated with increased risk for severe COVID‐19 but did lower the risk for new‐onset liver injury during COVID‐19.
TNF‐α‐Induce Protein 8–Like 1 Inhibits Hepatic Steatosis, Inflammation, and Fibrosis by Suppressing Polyubiquitination of Apoptosis Signal–Regulating Kinase 1
Authors: Wu Hong , Xu Xiaolei , Zheng Ancheng , Wang Weina , Mei Li , Chen Yue , Sun Shasha , Jiang Liujun , Wu Yutao , Zhou Yijiang , Zheng Min , Chen Qishan
Published: March 2021

Background and Aims

Characterized by hepatocyte steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis, NASH is a complicated process that contributes to end‐stage liver disease and, eventually, HCC. TNF‐α‐induced protein 8–like 1 (TIPE1), a new member of the TNF‐α‐induced protein 8 family, has been explored in immunology and oncology research; but little is known about its role in metabolic diseases.

Approach and Results

Here, we show that hepatocyte‐specific deletion of TIPE1 exacerbated diet‐induced hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis as well as systemic metabolic disorders during NASH pathogenesis. Conversely, hepatocyte‐specific overexpression of TIPE1 dramatically prevented the progression of these abnormalities. Mechanically, TIPE1 directly interacted with apoptosis signal–regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) to suppress its TNF receptor–associated factor 6 (TRAF6)–catalyzed polyubiquitination activation upon metabolic challenge, thereby inhibiting the downstream c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase and p38 signaling pathway. Importantly, dramatically reduced TIPE1 expression was observed in the livers of patients with NAFLD, suggesting that TIPE1 might be a promising therapeutic target for NAFLD and related metabolic diseases.

Conclusions

TIPE1 protects against hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis through directly binding ASK1 and restraining its TRAF6‐catalyzed polyubiquitination during the development of NASH. Therefore, targeting TIPE1 could be a promising therapeutic approach for NAFLD treatment.
Pathogenesis, MicroRNA‐122 Gene‐Regulation, and Protective Immune Responses After Acute Equine Hepacivirus Infection
Authors: Tomlinson Joy E. , Wolfisberg Raphael , Fahnøe Ulrik , Patel Roosheel S. , Trivedi Sheetal , Kumar Arvind , Sharma Himanshu , Nielsen Louise , McDonough Sean P. , Bukh Jens , Tennant Bud C. , Kapoor Amit , Rosenberg Brad R. , Rice Charles M. , Divers Thomas J. , Van de Walle Gerlinde R. , Scheel Troels K.H.
Published: March 2021

Background and Aims

Equine hepacivirus (EqHV) is phylogenetically the closest relative of HCV and shares genome organization, hepatotropism, transient or persistent infection outcome, and the ability to cause hepatitis. Thus, EqHV studies are important to understand equine liver disease and further as an outbred surrogate animal model for HCV pathogenesis and protective immune responses. Here, we aimed to characterize the course of EqHV infection and associated protective immune responses.

Approach and Results

Seven horses were experimentally inoculated with EqHV, monitored for 6 months, and rechallenged with the same and, subsequently, a heterologous EqHV. Clearance was the primary outcome (6 of 7) and was associated with subclinical hepatitis characterized by lymphocytic infiltrate and individual hepatocyte necrosis. Seroconversion was delayed and antibody titers waned slowly. Clearance of primary infection conferred nonsterilizing immunity, resulting in shortened duration of viremia after rechallenge. Peripheral blood mononuclear cell responses in horses were minimal, although EqHV‐specific T cells were identified. Additionally, an interferon‐stimulated gene signature was detected in the liver during EqHV infection, similar to acute HCV in humans. EqHV, as HCV, is stimulated by direct binding of the liver‐specific microRNA (miR), miR‐122. Interestingly, we found that EqHV infection sequesters enough miR‐122 to functionally affect gene regulation in the liver. This RNA‐based mechanism thus could have consequences for pathology.

Conclusions

EqHV infection in horses typically has an acute resolving course, and the protective immune response lasts for at least a year and broadly attenuates subsequent infections. This could have important implications to achieve the primary goal of an HCV vaccine; to prevent chronicity while accepting acute resolving infection after virus exposure.
Identification of Quantifiable Predictors of Relapse in Patients with Alcohol‐Associated Liver Disease
Authors: Shen Nicole T. , Kaplan Alyson , Fahoum Khalid , Basu Elora , Shenoy Akhil , Wahid Nabeel , Ivatorov Amanda , Pisa Joseph , Salajegheh Annaheta , Dawod Enad , Rosenblatt Russell , Fortune Brett , Safford Monika , Brown Robert S.
Published: March 2021

Abstinence in patients with alcohol‐associated liver disease (ALD) reduces mortality. Most predictors of relapse are not quantifiable, preventing objective analysis of relapse risk and targeted intervention to improve clinical outcomes. We prospectively enrolled patients with ALD from November 2016 to December 2019 and administered a survey with two previously published scales to assess insight into alcohol‐use disorder (Hanil Alcohol Insight Scale [HAIS]) and social support (Community Assessment Inventory Scale [CAIS]). Relapse was assessed using surveys and metabolite testing. Unadjusted and prespecified adjusted regression analyses identified predictors of relapse. We enrolled 81% of eligible patients (n = 136), of whom 58 had follow‐up data available at the time of analysis. Over a median follow‐up of 1 year (interquartile range: 0.5‐1.4), 10 patients relapsed (17%). Patients who relapsed were more likely to continue drinking despite either a diagnosis of liver disease or a decompensating event, and were less likely to have been transplanted (all P < 0.05). In unadjusted regression, the HAIS and the “support inside the home” subcategory of the CAIS were predictive of relapse, with odds ratio (OR) = 0.84 (95% confidence interval 0.72‐0.97) and 0.85 (0.74‐0.97). In adjusted regression, the HAIS was no longer significant, with adjusted OR = 0.70 (0.49‐1.00, P = 0.05), whereas the “support inside the home’ subcategory of CAIS remained significant, with adjusted OR = 0.69 (0.51‐0.92, P = 0.01). Conclusions: Risk factors for relapse in patients with ALD were identified and quantified prospectively, suggesting opportunities to objectively identify patients at risk for relapse as well as to intervene to prevent relapse.
Perceived impact of the characteristics of the Indigenous Queensland B.strong brief intervention training program on uptake and implementation
Authors: Sebastian Saji , Thomas David P. , Brimblecombe Julie , Arley Brian , Cunningham Frances C.
Published: March 2021

Issue addressed

Brief interventions (BIs) in primary health care (PHC) settings can be effective in addressing behavioural risk factors of chronic conditions. However, the impact of the characteristics of BI training programs on the uptake of the program and implementation of BIs in Indigenous PHC settings is not fully understood. The B.strong Program was an Indigenous health worker BI training program delivered in Queensland from 2017 to 2020. This study examines the impact of the characteristics of the B.strong Program on its uptake and implementation in PHC settings.

Methods

Semi‐structured interviews were conducted in 2019 and 2020 with 20 B.strong Program trainees and four health service managers from eight purposively sampled Queensland PHC services, and one Queensland Department of Health manager, to collect their perceptions of the implementation of the B.strong Program. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research guided data collection.

Results

Key program characteristics that facilitated both the program uptake and the implementation of BIs were: ensuring the cultural appropriateness of the program from development, to engagement with health services and through to delivery, the applicability of the program to trainees’ daily clinical work, program credibility, and its ease of access and availability. Participants preferred face‐to‐face workshop training for online module training.

Conclusions

Relevance to practice, easy access, program credibility and measures taken to ensure cultural appropriateness of the B.strong Program in development, in engagement stages with health services, and in program delivery facilitated program uptake and implementation of BIs. Online BI training may be of limited value compared to face‐to‐face training in this setting.

So what?

To enhance participation by Indigenous PHC services in health worker BI training programs and implementation of BIs posttraining by health staff, it is important to ensure the cultural appropriateness of the program's characteristics, and its development, engagement and delivery processes.
Barriers and facilitators to participation in breast, bowel and cervical cancer screening in rural Victoria: A qualitative study
Authors: Azar Denise , Murphy Michael , Fishman Alana , Sewell Lauren , Barnes Megan , Proposch Amanda
Published: March 2021

Issue addressed

Population cancer screening rates are around 50% for the general population and even lower in rural areas. This study aimed to explore knowledge, attitudes, behaviours, motivators and barriers to breast, bowel and cervical screening participation in under‐screened men and women.

Methods

We used a qualitative research design. Focus groups were segmented by age, sex and screening participation. Participants were under‐screened in at least one of the cancer screening programs, with separate groups for each of the programs. The discussion guides were designed around the Health Belief Model and group discussions were coded using a thematic content analysis approach.

Results

Fourteen focus groups were held with 80 participants. Key themes were that the concept of cancer screening was not well understood, a low priority for preventive health behaviours, issues relating to local general practitioners (GP) and screening was unpleasant, embarrassing and/or inconvenient. A key determinant of participation in cancer screening was exposure to prompts to action, and it was evident that participants often required multiple prompts before they took action.

Conclusions

Opportunities that develop attitudes to health that place disease prevention as a high priority; improve understanding of the benefit of screening in terms of early detection and treatment; improve GP availability and the patient‐practitioner relationship; and the development of messages for each of the screening programs should be further explored as factors that may influence rural population screening rates.

So what?

Addressing health attitudes, beliefs, knowledge, health practitioner and test‐related barriers and improving messaging may increase cancer screening participation in under‐screened rural populations.
Iran hospital accreditation standards: challenges and solutions
Authors: Ghazanfari Fatemeh , Mosadeghrad Ali Mohammad , Jaafari Pooyan Ebrahim , Mobaraki Hossein
Published: March 2021

Objective

The purpose of this study was to identify the challenges of Iranian hospital accreditation standards and provide solutions.

Design

A qualitative research design was used in this study. Open and semi‐structured interviews were conducted in 2018. Thematic analysis was used to analyse qualitative data.

Setting

Public, private, semi‐public, charity and military hospitals in Tehran, Iran.

Participants

A pluralistic evaluation approach was employed and 151 participants including policy makers, hospital management and staff, accreditation surveyors and university professors participated in this study.

Results

Challenges of hospital accreditation standards were grouped into two groups: standards development process and standards content. Lack of an independent standards development committee, insufficient expertise of committee members, inconsistencies among the standards’ constructs, inappropriate standard classification, ambiguity of standards, unmeasurable standards, vague and inflexible scoring system, and inability to use some standards were the main challenges of Iran hospital accreditation standards. Establishing a scientific committee consisting of representative from hospitals, health insurance companies, professional and scientific associations and universities for standard development, training the committee members, and utilizing hospital's feedback will help address these problems.

Conclusion

Iran's hospital accreditation standards face challenges that prevent them from achieving their goals, that is, improving the quality, safety, effectiveness and efficiency of hospital services. Necessary measures should be taken to solve these problems.
Numerical simulation of natural convection heat transfer from a heated square cylinder in a square cavity filled with micropolar fluid
Authors: Sivarami Reddy C. , Ramachandra Prasad V. , Jayalakshmi K.
Published: March 2021

A numerical investigation has been performed to visualize the magnetohydrodynamic natural convective heat transfer from a heated square cylinder situated within a square enclosure subjected to nonuniform temperature distributions on the left wall. The flow inside the enclosure is unsteady, incompressible, and laminar and the working fluid is micropolar fluid with constant Prandtl number (Pr = 7). The governing equations of the flow problem are the conservation of mass, energy, and linear momentum, as well as the angular momentum equations. Governing equations formulated in dimensionless velocity and pressure form has been solved by Marker and Cell method with second‐order accuracy finite difference scheme. Comprehensive verification of the utilized numerical method and mathematical model has shown a good agreement with numerical data of other authors. The results are discussed in terms of the distribution of streamlines and isotherms and surface‐averaged Nusselt number, for combinations of Rayleigh number, Ra (103–106), Vortex viscosity parameter, K (0–5), and Ha parameter (0–50). It has been shown that an increase in the vortex viscosity parameter leads to attenuation of the convective flow and heat transfer inside the cavity.
Pregnancy and COVID‐19: Do not overlook malaria
Authors: Papaccio Marta , Castellani Roberta , Zanardini Cristina , Sartori Enrico , Prefumo Federico , Saccani Barbara
Published: March 2021

Synopsis

COVID‐19 and malaria may have a similar presentation in pregnancy.