bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relative sea level and wave energy changes recorded in a micro-tidal barrier in southern Brazil
Authors: Santos Natália B. , Lavina Ernesto L.C. , Paim Paulo S.G. , Tatumi Sonia H. , Yee Márcio , dos Santos Veridiana O. , Kern Henrique P.
Published: June 2022

Constructional sedimentary history of coastal barriers can provide insights regarding meteorological and oceanographic processes, and relative sea-level changes. We investigated the Holocene evolution of a segment of the Rio Grande do Sul Coastal Plain in southernmost Brazil. Data were obtained from ground-penetrating radargrams, optically stimulated luminescence dating, altimetry measurements, Google Earth imagery, and aerial photographs. These data allowed a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the beach profiles recorded in the radargrams. From which eolian, backshore/foreshore, breaker bars, and upper and lower shoreface radar facies were identified. The beach-related radar facies are recorded in twenty-eight progradational sand units (sigmoidal bodies). These units record increments of relatively steady deposition bounded by erosional surfaces produced by anomalous, high-magnitude storm events taking place about every 250 years. The upper shoreface strata include two to three breaker bars. Several pieces of evidence (number of breaker bars, upper shoreface gradient and progradation rate) suggest an alternation between dissipative and intermediate stages of barrier morphodynamics and a decrease of wave energy from 2 ka onwards. The barrier prograded during the last 7.1 ka, and initially, barrier progradation occurred because of a normal regression during a relative sea-level rise followed by a stillstand. Later, barrier progradation took place as a forced regression driven by a relative sea-level fall.
Culturally adapting the Mediterranean Diet pattern – a way of promoting more ‘sustainable’ dietary change?
Authors: Woodside Jayne , Young Ian S. , McKinley Michelle C.
Published: June 2022

Average diet quality is low in the UK and is socioeconomically patterned, contributing to the risk of non-communicable disease and poor health. Achieving meaningful dietary change in the long term is challenging, with intervention required on a number of different levels which reflect the multiple determinants of dietary choice. Dietary patterns have been identified which contribute positively to health outcomes; one of these is the Mediterranean diet (MD) which has been demonstrated to be associated with reduced non-communicable disease risk. Most research exploring the health benefits of the MD has been conducted in Mediterranean regions but, increasingly, research is also being conducted in non-Mediterranean regions. The MD is a dietary pattern that could have positive impacts on both health and environmental outcomes, while being palatable, appetising and acceptable. In this review, we consider the studies that have explored transferability of the MD. To achieve long-term dietary change towards a MD, it is likely that the dietary pattern will have to be culturally adapted, yet preserving the core health-promoting elements and nutritional composition, while considering the food system transition required to support changes at population level. Population-specific barriers need to be identified and ways sought to overcome these barriers, for example, key food availability and cost. This should follow a formal cultural adaptation framework. Such an approach is likely to enhance the extent of adherence in the longer term, thus having an impact on population health.
Sensation-seeking-related DNA methylation and the development of delinquency: A longitudinal epigenome-wide study
Authors: Tieskens Jacintha M. , van Lier Pol A. C. , Buil J. Marieke , Barker Edward D.
Published: June 2022

Heightened sensation-seeking is related to the development of delinquency. Moreover, sensation-seeking, or biological correlates of sensation-seeking, are suggested as factors linking victimization to delinquency. Here, we focused on epigenetic correlates of sensation-seeking. First, we identified DNA methylation (DNAm) patterns related to sensation-seeking. Second, we investigated the association between sensation-seeking related DNAm and the development of delinquency. Third, we examined whether victimization was related to sensation-seeking related DNAm and the development of delinquency. Participants (N = 905; 49% boys) came from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. DNAm was assessed at birth, age 7 and age 15–17. Sensation-seeking (self-reports) was assessed at age 11 and 14. Delinquency (self-reports) was assessed at age 17–19. Sensation-seeking epigenome-wide association study revealed that no probes reached the critical significance level. However, 20 differential methylated probes reached marginal significance. With these 20 suggestive sites, a sensation-seeking cumulative DNAm risk score was created. Results showed that this DNAm risk score at age 15–17 was related to delinquency at age 17–19. Moreover, an indirect effect of victimization to delinquency via DNAm was found. Sensation-seeking related DNAm is a potential biological correlate that can help to understand the development of delinquency, including how victimization might be associated with adolescent delinquency.
Regulation of baby food marketing in Thailand: a NetCode analysis
Authors: Cetthakrikul Nisachol , Kelly Matthew , Banwell Cathy , Baker Phillip , Smith Julie
Published: June 2022

Objective:

To report on the prevalence of different types of breast-milk substitutes (BMS) marketing and the compliance of such marketing with the ‘Control of Marketing of Infant and Young Child Food Act 2017’ (The Act) and the ‘International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes (WHO Code)’ in Thailand.

Design:

Cross-sectional quantitative study, guided by the WHO/UNICEF NetCode Periodic Assessment Protocol.

Setting:

Health facilities and retail outlets in Bangkok, Thai media.

Participants:

Mothers of 0–2-year-old children, health professionals, promotions at retail outlets and health facilities, product labels, marketing on television and the internet.

Results:

Marketing to mothers was highly prevalent, mostly from electronic or digital media, while BMS companies provided items to health professionals to distribute to mothers. Promotional materials in health facilities displayed company brands or logos. At retail outlets, most promotions were price-related. Approximately two-fifths of labels contained nutrition or health claims. Television marketing was growing-up-milk (GUM) advertisements, while internet promotions were varied from price-related materials to product reviews. Most instances of non-compliant BMS marketing with the Act were advertisements to mothers, and most were infant formula. Most non-compliant BMS marketing with the WHO Code was mainly concerned GUM, which are not covered by the Act and appeared in the media.

Conclusions:

BMS marketing does not fully comply with the Act or the WHO Code. The Thai government should conduct regular monitoring and enforcement activities, educate health professionals, and strengthen the Act’s provisions on the media and GUM to fully align with the WHO Code.
Stormwater Ponds Are Carbon Sources, Not Sinks
Authors: Donovan Robin
Published: June 2022

New research from Florida tracks carbon dioxide and methane emissions from human-created waterways.
Improved Stress Drop Estimates for M 1.5 to 4 Earthquakes in Southern California From 1996 to 2019
Authors: Shearer Peter M. , Abercrombie Rachel E. , Trugman Daniel T.
Published: June 2022

We estimate Brune‐type stress drops for over 70,000 southern California M 1.5–4 earthquakes from 1996 to 2019 using a P‐wave spectral decomposition approach. Based on our recent work documenting hard‐to‐resolve trade‐offs between absolute stress drop, stress drop scaling with moment, high‐frequency falloff rate, and empirical corrections for path and attenuation terms, we adopt a new approach in which the average corner frequency of the smallest earthquakes within a short distance from each target event is fixed to a constant value. This removes any true coherent spatial variations in stress drops among the smallest events but ensures that any spatial variations seen in larger event stress drops are real and not an artifact of inaccurate path corrections. Applying this approach across southern California, we document spatial variations in stress drop that agree with previous work, such as lower‐than‐average stress drops in the Salton Trough, as well as small‐scale stress drop variations along many faults and aftershock sequences. We observe an apparent increase in Brune‐type stress drop with moment for M 3–4 earthquakes, but their spectra can be fit equally well with self‐similar models with a high‐frequency falloff rate shallower than f−2.
Disease progression, hospital readmissions, and clinical outcomes for patients with steroid-refractory acute graft-versus-host disease: A multicenter, retrospective study
Authors: Holtan Shernan G. , Yu Jingbo , Paranagama Dilan , Tang Jackson , Choe Hannah K. , Naim Ahmad , Joachim Deeg H. , Galvin John
Published: June 2022

Acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality following allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). This analysis of 168 patients (mean age, 54.8 years) from a multicenter, retrospective chart review describes the clinical course, treatment patterns, hospitalizations, and clinical outcomes of patients aged ≥12 years who developed grades II–IV acute GVHD after their first allogeneic HCT (January 1, 2014, to June 30, 2016) and were refractory to or dependent on corticosteroids. Between diagnosis and maximum grade (median, 6.0 days), 53.6% of patients had new organ involvement, particularly lower gastrointestinal tract acute GVHD, or an increase in acute GVHD grade. Eighty-nine patients (53.0%) received additional systemic GVHD therapy (after systemic corticosteroids) within a median of 21.0 days. Hospital readmission(s) was required for 56.5% of patients within 100 days post-HCT (mean inpatient length of readmission stay, 49.5 days); 24.4% had ≥2 readmissions within 100 days post-HCT. From the date of acute GVHD diagnosis, 70.2% of patients died at a median (interquartile range) of 117.5 (49–258) days. In summary, steroid-refractory and steroid-dependent acute GVHD is associated with a rapidly worsening clinical course that leads to high readmission and mortality rates, emphasizing the need for effective and tolerable therapies.
A Phase II study of neoadjuvant axitinib for reducing the extent of venous tumour thrombus in clear cell renal cell cancer with venous invasion (NAXIVA)
Authors: Stewart Grant D. , Welsh Sarah J. , Ursprung Stephan , Gallagher Ferdia A. , Jones James O. , Shields Jacqui , Smith Christopher G. , Mitchell Thomas J. , Warren Anne Y. , Bex Axel , Boleti Ekaterini , Carruthers Jade , Eisen Tim , Fife Kate , Hamid Abdel , Laird Alexander , Leung Steve , Malik Jahangeer , Mendichovszky Iosif A. , Mumtaz Faiz , Oades Grenville , Priest Andrew N. , Riddick Antony C. P. , Venugopal Balaji , Welsh Michelle , Riddle Kathleen , Hopcroft Lisa E. M. ,   NAXIVA Trial Group, Couper Niki , Hopcroft Lisa E. M. , Hill Robert , Matakidou Athena , Caasi Cara , Watson James , Wallis Lauren , Cross Ruby , Burge Sarah W. , George Anne , Klatte Tobias , Aho Tevita F. , Armitage James N. , Rossi Sabrina , Massie Charlie , Anand Shubha , Haddow Tiffany , Dodd Marc , Deng Wenhan , Martin Ezequiel , Howden Philip , Wenlock Stephanie , Sala Evis , Symeonides Stefan , Ho Lynn , Baxter Jennifer , Leslie Stuart , McLaren Duncan , Brush John , O’Donnell Marie , Griffin Alisa , Orr Ruth , Cowan Catriona , Powles Thomas , Pejnovic Anna , Tincey Sophia , Grant Lee , Nuttall Martin , Willsher Lucy , Barnett Christian , Nicol David , Larkin James , Fielding Alison , Jones Robert J.
Published: June 2022

Background

Surgery for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with venous tumour thrombus (VTT) extension into the renal vein (RV) and/or inferior vena cava (IVC) has high peri-surgical morbidity/mortality. NAXIVA assessed the response of VTT to axitinib, a potent tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

Methods

NAXIVA was a single-arm, multi-centre, Phase 2 study. In total, 20 patients with resectable clear cell RCC and VTT received upto 8 weeks of pre-surgical axitinib. The primary endpoint was percentage of evaluable patients with VTT improvement by Mayo level on MRI. Secondary endpoints were percentage change in surgical approach and VTT length, response rate (RECISTv1.1) and surgical morbidity.

Results

In all, 35% (7/20) patients with VTT had a reduction in Mayo level with axitinib: 37.5% (6/16) with IVC VTT and 25% (1/4) with RV-only VTT. No patients had an increase in Mayo level. In total, 75% (15/20) of patients had a reduction in VTT length. Overall, 41.2% (7/17) of patients who underwent surgery had less invasive surgery than originally planned. Non-responders exhibited lower baseline microvessel density (CD31), higher Ki67 and exhausted or regulatory T-cell phenotype.

Conclusions

NAXIVA provides the first Level II evidence that axitinib downstages VTT in a significant proportion of patients leading to reduction in the extent of surgery.

Clinical trial registration

NCT03494816.
Repositioning canakinumab for non-small cell lung cancer—important lessons for drug repurposing in oncology
Authors: Lythgoe Mark P. , Prasad Vinay
Published: June 2022

Canakinumab is an anti-interleukin-1β monoclonal antibody approved for use in a range of immune-related disorders. During the clinical investigation (CANTOS trial) for prevention of cardiovascular complications, therapy was linked to a reduction in both the occurrence and mortality of lung cancer. This unexpected observation fuelled the rapid initiation of four large clinical trials to evaluate potential anticancer efficacy (in combination with chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy), before fully validating these observations in a dedicated study. The first two trials (CANOPY-1 and 2) have now been reported and have both have failed to meet their primary efficacy endpoints. In this article, we explore the scientific and clinical rationale behind the development of canakinumab in oncology, the repurposing approach utilised and implications this may have for the wider drug repurposing field in the development of new cancer medicines.
Universal interference-based construction of Gaussian operations in hybrid quantum systems
Authors: Zhang Mengzhen , Chowdhury Shoumik , Jiang Liang
Published: June 2022

Beam-splitter operations are an indispensable resource for processing quantum information encoded in bosonic modes. In hybrid quantum systems, however, it can be challenging to implement reliable beam-splitters between two distinct modes due to various experimental imperfections. Without beam-splitters, realizing arbitrary Gaussian operations between bosonic modes can become highly non-trivial or even infeasible. In this work, we develop interference-based protocols for engineering Gaussian operations in multi-mode hybrid bosonic systems without requiring beam-splitters. Specifically, for a given generic multi-mode Gaussian unitary coupler, we demonstrate a universal scheme for constructing Gaussian operations on a desired subset of the modes, requiring only multiple uses of the given coupler interleaved with single-mode Gaussian unitaries. Our results provide efficient construction of operations crucial to quantum information science, and are derived from fundamental physical properties of bosonic systems. The proposed scheme is thus widely applicable to existing platforms and couplers, with the exception of certain edge cases. We introduce a systematic approach to identify and treat these edge cases by utilizing an intrinsically invariant structure associated with our interference-based construction.
Effects of peroxidase and superoxide dismutase on physicochemical stability of fish oil-in-water emulsion
Authors: Ke Lijing , Tan Ying , Xu Yang , Gao Guanzhen , Wang Huiqin , Luo Sihao , Zhou Jianwu , Wang Qiang
Published: June 2022

How to maintain the physicochemical stability of oil emulsion has been one of the major challenges in food industry. Previously we reported the demulsification effects of catalase in the fish oil emulsion. In comparison, the influences of other two metal ion-containing oxidoreductases, horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD), on the emulsion’s stability were investigated. Submicron fish oil-in-water emulsion stabilized by polysorbate 80 was prepared by high-speed homogenization. Its physical stability was evaluated by visual and microscopic observation, turbidity and light scattering measurements, while chemical stability by the hydroperoxide content and lipid peroxidation. HRP demulsified the emulsion in a concentration-responsive manner after 3–7 days’ incubation, resulting in a decreased turbidity and significant delamination. The enlargement of oil-polysorbate droplets and protein precipitates were confirmed by size distribution and TEM observation. HRP initially elevated the emulsion’s hydroperoxide then decreased it while raising TBARS levels during 7-Day incubation. In contrary, SOD stabilized the emulsion physically and chemically. The demulsification was correspondingly attributed to the oxidation catalyzing activity of the peroxidase and the electrostatic and hydrophobic interaction between lipids and proteins. This study adds new insight to the influences of the two oxidoreductases on the stability, lipids and peroxides of food emulsions, proposes an exciting subject of elucidating the underlying mechanism.
Live attenuated pertussis vaccine for prevention and treatment of allergic airway inflammation in mice
Authors: Belcher Thomas , Ait-Yahia Saliha , Solans Luis , Debrie Anne-Sophie , Cauchi Stephane , Tsicopoulos Anne , Locht Camille
Published: June 2022

Live attenuated vaccines often have beneficial non-specific effects, protecting against heterologous infectious and non-infectious diseases. We have developed a live attenuated pertussis vaccine, named BPZE1, currently in advanced clinical development. Here, we examined the prophylactic and therapeutic potential of its pertactin-deficient derivative BPZE1P in a mouse model of house dust mite (HDM)-induced allergic airway inflammation (AAI). BPZE1P was given nasally either before or after sensitization with HDM, followed by HDM challenge, or between two challenge episodes. Vaccination prior to sensitization reduced resistance in the airways, the numbers of infiltrating eosinophils and the concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1α, IL-1β and IL-33, in the lungs but had no effect on Th2 cytokine levels. BPZE1P also protected when delivered after sensitization or between two challenge episodes. However, in this case the levels of Th2 cytokines in the lung were decreased without significant effects on IL-1α, IL-1β and IL-33 production. The vaccine restored lung function and decreased eosinophil influx in the lungs of HDM-treated mice. BPZE1P has a better take than BPZE1 in hosts vaccinated with acellular pertussis vaccines. Therefore, it has interesting potential as a preventive and therapeutic agent against AAI, even in acellular pertussis-vaccinated populations.
Nutritional deficiency in an intestine-on-a-chip recapitulates injury hallmarks associated with environmental enteric dysfunction
Authors: Bein Amir , Fadel Cicely W. , Swenor Ben , Cao Wuji , Powers Rani K. , Camacho Diogo M. , Naziripour Arash , Parsons Andrew , LoGrande Nina , Sharma Sanjay , Kim Seongmin , Jalili-Firoozinezhad Sasan , Grant Jennifer , Breault David T. , Iqbal Junaid , Ali Asad , Denson Lee A. , Moore Sean R. , Prantil-Baun Rachelle , Goyal Girija , Ingber Donald E.
Published: June 2022

Environmental enteric dysfunction (EED)—a chronic inflammatory condition of the intestine—is characterized by villus blunting, compromised intestinal barrier function and reduced nutrient absorption. Here we show that essential genotypic and phenotypic features of EED-associated intestinal injury can be reconstituted in a human intestine-on-a-chip lined by organoid-derived intestinal epithelial cells from patients with EED and cultured in nutrient-deficient medium lacking niacinamide and tryptophan. Exposure of the organ chip to such nutritional deficiencies resulted in congruent changes in six of the top ten upregulated genes that were comparable to changes seen in samples from patients with EED. Chips lined with healthy epithelium or with EED epithelium exposed to nutritional deficiencies resulted in severe villus blunting and barrier dysfunction, and in the impairment of fatty acid uptake and amino acid transport; and the chips with EED epithelium exhibited heightened secretion of inflammatory cytokines. The organ-chip model of EED‐associated intestinal injury may facilitate the analysis of the molecular, genetic and nutritional bases of the disease and the testing of candidate therapeutics for it.
Actin remodelling controls proteasome homeostasis upon stress
Authors: Williams Thomas David , Cacioppo Roberta , Agrotis Alexander , Black Ailsa , Zhou Houjiang , Rousseau Adrien
Published: June 2022

When cells are stressed, bulk translation is often downregulated to reduce energy demands while stress-response proteins are simultaneously upregulated. To promote proteasome assembly and activity and maintain cell viability upon TORC1 inhibition, 19S regulatory-particle assembly chaperones (RPACs) are selectively translated. However, the molecular mechanism for such selective translational upregulation is unclear. Here, using yeast, we discover that remodelling of the actin cytoskeleton is important for RPAC translation following TORC1 inhibition. mRNA of the RPAC ADC17 is associated with actin cables and is enriched at cortical actin patches under stress, dependent upon the early endocytic protein Ede1. ede1∆ cells failed to induce RPACs and proteasome assembly upon TORC1 inhibition. Conversely, artificially tethering ADC17 mRNA to cortical actin patches enhanced its translation upon stress. These findings suggest that actin-dense structures such as cortical actin patches may serve as a translation platform for a subset of stress-induced mRNAs including regulators of proteasome homeostasis.
The conserved helicase ZNFX-1 memorializes silenced RNAs in perinuclear condensates
Authors: Ouyang John Paul Tsu , Zhang Wenyan Lucy , Seydoux Geraldine
Published: June 2022

RNA-mediated interference (RNAi) is a conserved mechanism that uses small RNAs (sRNAs) to silence gene expression. In the Caenorhabditis elegans germline, transcripts targeted by sRNAs are used as templates for sRNA amplification to propagate silencing into the next generation. Here we show that RNAi leads to heritable changes in the distribution of nascent and mature transcripts that correlate with two parallel sRNA amplification loops. The first loop, dependent on the nuclear Argonaute HRDE-1, targets nascent transcripts and reduces but does not eliminate productive transcription at the locus. The second loop, dependent on the conserved helicase ZNFX-1, targets mature transcripts and concentrates them in perinuclear condensates. ZNFX-1 interacts with sRNA-targeted transcripts that have acquired poly(UG) tails and is required to sustain pUGylation and robust sRNA amplification in the inheriting generation. By maintaining a pool of transcripts for amplification, ZNFX-1 prevents premature extinction of the RNAi response and extends silencing into the next generation.
Single-cell transcriptomics and surface epitope detection in human brain epileptic lesions identifies pro-inflammatory signaling
Authors: Kumar Pavanish , Lim Amanda , Hazirah Sharifah Nur , Chua Camillus Jian Hui , Ngoh Adeline , Poh Su Li , Yeo Tong Hong , Lim Jocelyn , Ling Simon , Sutamam Nursyuhadah Binte , Petretto Enrico , Low David Chyi Yeu , Zeng Li , Tan Eng-King , Arkachaisri Thaschawee , Yeo Joo Guan , Ginhoux Florent , Chan Derrick , Albani Salvatore
Published: June 2022

Epileptogenic triggers are multifactorial and not well understood. Here we aimed to address the hypothesis that inappropriate pro-inflammatory mechanisms contribute to the pathogenesis of refractory epilepsy (non-responsiveness to antiepileptic drugs) in human patients. We used single-cell cellular indexing of transcriptomes and epitopes by sequencing (CITE-seq) to reveal the immunotranscriptome of surgically resected epileptic lesion tissues. Our approach uncovered a pro-inflammatory microenvironment, including extensive activation of microglia and infiltration of other pro-inflammatory immune cells. These findings were supported by ligand–receptor (LR) interactome analysis, which demonstrated potential mechanisms of infiltration and evidence of direct physical interactions between microglia and T cells. Together, these data provide insight into the immune microenvironment in epileptic tissue, which may aid the development of new therapeutics.
Global hydro-environmental lake characteristics at high spatial resolution
Authors: Lehner Bernhard , Messager Mathis L. , Korver Maartje C. , Linke Simon
Published: June 2022

Here we introduce the LakeATLAS dataset, which provides a broad range of hydro-environmental characteristics for more than 1.4 million lakes and reservoirs globally with an area of at least 10 ha. LakeATLAS forms part of the larger HydroATLAS data repository and expands the existing datasets of sub-basin and river reach descriptors by adding equivalent information for lakes and reservoirs in a compatible structure. Matching its HydroATLAS counterparts, version 1.0 of LakeATLAS contains data for 56 variables, partitioned into 281 individual attributes and organized in six categories: hydrology; physiography; climate; land cover & use; soils & geology; and anthropogenic influences. LakeATLAS derives these attributes by processing and reformatting original data from well-established global digital maps at 15 arc-second (~500 m) grid cell resolution and assigns the information spatially to each lake by aggregating it within the lake, in a 3-km vicinity buffer around the lake, and/or within the entire upstream drainage area of the lake. The standardized format of LakeATLAS ensures versatile applicability in hydro-ecological assessments from regional to global scales.
Modelling of life cycle cost of conventional and alternative vehicles
Authors: Furch Jan , Konečný Vlastimil , Krobot Zdeněk
Published: June 2022

Over the past decade, the passenger transport segment has undergone significant changes, particularly in the way vehicles are propelled. These changes have been influenced by the global drive to reduce the environmental burden associated with the operation of vehicles. Although these trends are primarily focused on the environmental aspects of vehicle operation, the economic aspects inevitably associated with the operation of each vehicle are also changing. This article deals with the calculation of life cycle costs, or the return on investment for vehicles with alternative drives compared to conventional drives. In order to obtain objective outputs, a mathematical model for the calculation of the life cycle costs of passenger vehicles has been developed and applied to these vehicles. The presented mathematical model expresses the acquisition costs and mainly the ownership costs for operation and maintenance. Finally, a comparison of the whole life cycle costs of selected vehicles with different powertrains was made. The following powertrains are compared in this paper, i.e. petrol engine, diesel engine, petrol and CNG engine, mild hybrid engine, plug-in hybrid engine and electric motor. The presented findings and input values for the calculations of the individual cost components reflect the current state in terms of economic demands. Due to the high rate of development and improvement of alternative propulsion modes, especially pure electric propulsion technologies, it can be assumed that the life cycle costs will follow a decreasing trend.
Evaluating CO2 breakthrough in a shaly caprock material: a multi-scale experimental approach
Authors: Stavropoulou Eleni , Laloui Lyesse
Published: June 2022

The potential of underground CO2 storage relies on the sealing efficiency of an overlaying caprock that acts as a geological barrier. Shales are considered as potential caprock formations thanks to their favourable hydro-mechanical properties. In this work the sealing capacity of Opalinus Clay shale to CO2 injection is studied by means of capillary entry-pressure and volumetric response. The overall objective of this work is to contribute to the safe design of a CO2 injection strategy by providing a better understanding of the geomechanical response of the caprock material to CO2 injection and eventual breakthrough at different scales. This is achieved by relating lab-measured hydro-mechanical properties of the studying caprock material (porosity, permeability, volumetric response) to field-related parameters (effective stress, injection pressure). A number of CO2 breakthrough tests is performed in Opalinus Clay samples under two different scales, meso and micro. At the meso-scale, CO2 injection is performed in oedometric conditions under different levels of axial effective stress in both gaseous or liquid phase. In parallel, the material’s transport properties in terms of water permeability are assessed before CO2 injection at each corresponding level of effective stress. The impact of CO2 phase and open porosity on the material’s CO2 entry pressure are demonstrated. The correlation between measured entry pressure and absolute permeability is discussed. A second testing campaign at a smaller scale is presented where CO2 breakthrough is for the first time identified with in-situ X-ray tomography. CO2 injection is performed under isotropic conditions on an Opalinus Clay micro-sample (micro-scale), and CO2 breakthrough is identified through quantitative image analysis based on the measured localised volumetric response of the material. This innovative methodology provides important insight into the anisotropic response of this complex material that is indispensable for its representative modelling in the context of safe geological CO2 storage.
Clinical features, electroencephalogram, and biomarkers in pediatric sepsis-associated encephalopathy
Authors: de Araújo Bruno Espírito Santo , da Silva Fontana Rosiane , de Magalhães-Barbosa Maria Clara , Lima-Setta Fernanda , Paravidino Vitor Barreto , Riveiro Paula Marins , Pulcheri Lucas Berbert , dos Santos Salú Margarida , Genuíno-Oliveira Mariana Barros , Robaina Jaqueline Rodrigues , da Cunha Antonio José Ledo Alves , Cruz Fernanda Ferreira , Rocco Patricia Rieken Macedo , Bozza Fernando Augusto , de Castro-Faria-Neto Hugo Caire , Prata-Barbosa Arnaldo
Published: June 2022

To date, no specific diagnostic criteria for sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) have been established. We studied 33 pediatric patients with sepsis prospectively and evaluated the level of consciousness, the presence of delirium, electroencephalographic (EEG) findings, and plasma levels of neuron-specific enolase and S100-calcium-binding protein-B. A presumptive diagnosis of SAE was primarily considered in the presence of a decreased level of consciousness and/or delirium (clinical criteria), but specific EEG abnormalities were also considered (EEG criteria). The time course of the biomarkers was compared between groups with and without clinical or EEG criteria. The Functional Status Scale (FSS) was assessed at admission, discharge, and 3–6 months post-discharge. Clinical criteria were identified in 75.8% of patients, EEG criteria in 26.9%, both in 23.1%, and none in 23.1%. Biomarkers did not differ between groups. Three patients had an abnormal FSS at discharge, but no one on follow-up. A definitive diagnostic pattern for SAE remained unclear. Clinical criteria should be the basis for diagnosis, but sedation may be a significant confounder, also affecting EEG interpretation. The role of biomarkers requires a better definition. The diagnosis of SAE in pediatric patients remains a major challenge. New consensual diagnostic definitions and mainly prognostic studies are needed.
Performance of chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters in Lemna minor under heavy metal stress induced by various concentration of copper
Authors: Singh Hanwant , Kumar Deepak , Soni Vineet
Published: June 2022

The objective of the present investigation was to understand the efficacy of chlorophyll fluorescence analysis and to identify the specific photosynthetic parameters for early and rapid detection of Cu-induced HM-stress in plants. Aquatic angiospermLemna minorwas exposed to various concentrations (0–40 µM) of Cu. We observed that the FV/FO(Efficiency of the water-splitting complex on the donor side of PSII), quantum yield for electron transport, and quantum yield of primary photochemistry were decreased however, dissipated quantum yield was increased with Cu concentration. ABS/CSM, TRO/CSM, ETO/CSMand maximum quantum yield were displayed the dose–response relationship under Cu stress. Performance indexes were increased initially due to the beneficial effects of Cu at lower concentration while decreased significantly (p ≤ 0.05) at highest concentration of Cu. The outcomes of the present research revealed that the ChlF analysis is very sensitive tool that can be used to determine the toxicity of heavy metals in plants.
Evaluation of anticancer effects of carboplatin–gelatin nanoparticles in different sizes synthesized with newly self-assembly method by exposure to IR light
Authors: Danışman-Kalındemirtaş Ferdane , Kariper İshak Afşin , Erdemir Gökçe , Sert Esra , Erdem-Kuruca Serap
Published: June 2022

Carboplatin (CP), a platinum analog, is one of the most widely used chemotherapeutic agents in the treatment of colorectal cancer. Although platinum-based drugs are quite effective in anticancer treatments, their use in a wide spectrum and effective treatment possibilities are limited due to their systemic side effects and drug resistance development. In recent years, studies have focused on increasing the therapeutic efficacy of platinum-based drugs with drug delivery systems. Gelatin, a protein, obtained by the hydrolysis of collagen, is a biocompatible and biodegradable material that can be used in nano drug delivery systems. In this study, CP-loaded gelatin-based NPs (CP-NPs) were exposed to IR light in different temperatures at 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50 °C and characterized by FESEM-EDX, FTIR, UV–Vis, DLS. Accordingly, we synthesized gelatin-based CP-NPs of different sizes between 10–290 nm by exposure to IR. We found that CP-NPs-50, 16 nm nano-sized, obtained at 50 °C had the most cytotoxicity and was 2.2 times more effective than the free drug in HCT 116 colon cancer cells. Moreover, we showed that the cytotoxicity of CP-NPs-50 in normal HUVEC cells was lower. Additionally, we demonstrated that CP-NPs enhanced apoptotic activity while not developing MDR1-related resistance in colon cancer cells. In this study, for the first time drug loaded gelatin-based nanoparticles were synthesized in different sizes with a newly self-assembly method by exposing them to infrared light at different temperatures and their anticancer effects were evaluated subsequently.
Development of low glycemic index instant Phirni (pudding) mix-its visco-thermal, morphological and rheological characterization
Authors: Naseer Bazila , Naik Haroon Rashid , Hussain Syed Zameer , Qadri Tahiya , Dar Basharat Nabi , Amin Tawheed , Reshi Monica , Shafi Fouzia , Fatima Tabasum
Published: June 2022

High amylose rice (HAR) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) are the preferred choices for enhancement of resistant starch content and lowering of glycemic index in dairy desserts. The effects of different levels of skimmed milk powder (SMP): HAR flour (45:55 to 75:25) and CMC (0.1 to 1%) were investigated on physical characteristics of dry-mix and on texture profile parameters, resistant starch (RS), predicted glycemic index (pGI), glycemic load (GL) and overall acceptability of phirni (a traditional milk pudding). Design expert predicted SMP (70): HAR (30) and CMC (0.8%) as optimum levels for reducing the pGI and maximizing the RS content and other quality characteristics in phirni. RS content of phirni (4.38%) prepared from optimized dry-mix (ODM) was higher while pGI (48.12) and GL (7.50) were lower as compared to phirni prepared from market dry-mix (MDM). The visco-thermal properties of ODM and MDM also showed significant variations. Storage modulus (Gʹ) and loss modulus (Gʹʹ) indicated that ODM phirni was less solid than MDM phirni. Scanning electron micrographs showed fused structures in ODM, while coarse sheet like structures were observed across the surface of MDM. Thus, ODM can be a promising substitute for the available milk desserts for diabetic patients.
Cell graph neural networks enable the precise prediction of patient survival in gastric cancer
Authors: Wang Yanan , Wang Yu Guang , Hu Changyuan , Li Ming , Fan Yanan , Otter Nina , Sam Ikuan , Gou Hongquan , Hu Yiqun , Kwok Terry , Zalcberg John , Boussioutas Alex , Daly Roger J. , Montúfar Guido , Liò Pietro , Xu Dakang , Webb Geoffrey I. , Song Jiangning
Published: June 2022

Gastric cancer is one of the deadliest cancers worldwide. An accurate prognosis is essential for effective clinical assessment and treatment. Spatial patterns in the tumor microenvironment (TME) are conceptually indicative of the staging and progression of gastric cancer patients. Using spatial patterns of the TME by integrating and transforming the multiplexed immunohistochemistry (mIHC) images as Cell-Graphs, we propose a graph neural network-based approach, termed Cell−GraphSignatureorCGSignature, powered by artificial intelligence, for the digital staging of TME and precise prediction of patient survival in gastric cancer. In this study, patient survival prediction is formulated as either a binary (short-term and long-term) or ternary (short-term, medium-term, and long-term) classification task. Extensive benchmarking experiments demonstrate that the CGSignature achieves outstanding model performance, with Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve of 0.960 ± 0.01, and 0.771 ± 0.024 to 0.904 ± 0.012 for the binary- and ternary-classification, respectively. Moreover, Kaplan–Meier survival analysis indicates that the “digital grade” cancer staging produced by CGSignature provides a remarkable capability in discriminating both binary and ternary classes with statistical significance (P value < 0.0001), significantly outperforming the AJCC 8th edition Tumor Node Metastasis staging system. Using Cell-Graphs extracted from mIHC images, CGSignature improves the assessment of the link between the TME spatial patterns and patient prognosis. Our study suggests the feasibility and benefits of such an artificial intelligence-powered digital staging system in diagnostic pathology and precision oncology.
The pro-inflammatory effect of Staphylokinase contributes to community-associated Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia
Authors: Wang Yanan , Zhao Na , Jian Ying , Liu Yao , Zhao Lin , He Lei , Liu Qian , Li Min
Published: June 2022

Pneumonia caused by community-associated Staphylococcus aureus (CA-SA) has high morbidity and mortality, but its pathogenic mechanism remains to be further investigated. Herein, we identify that staphylokinase (SAK) is significantly induced in CA-SA and inhibits biofilm formation in a plasminogen-dependent manner. Importantly, SAK can enhance CA-SA-mediated pneumonia in both wild-type and cathelicidins-related antimicrobial peptide knockout (CRAMP−/−) mice, suggesting that SAK exacerbates pneumonia in a CRAMP-independent manner. Mechanistically, SAK induces pro-inflammatory effects, especially in the priming step of NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Moreover, we demonstrate that SAK can increase K+ efflux, production of reactive oxygen species production, and activation of NF-κB signaling. Furthermore, the NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitor can counteract the effective of SAK induced CA-SA lung infection in mice. Taken together, we speculate that SAK exacerbates CA-SA-induced pneumonia by promoting NLRP3 inflammasome activation, providing new insights into the pathogenesis of highly virulent CA-SA and emphasizes the importance of controlling inflammation in acute pneumonia.
A systematic review of the definitions and interpretations in scientific literature of ‘less but better’ meat in high-income settings
Authors: Resare Sahlin Kajsa , Trewern Joanna
Published: June 2022

‘Less but better’ is a pragmatic approach to tackling the sustainability challenges of meat consumption and production. Definitions of ‘less’ and ‘better’ lack clarity. Here we explore interpretations of these concepts, finding increasing use of ‘less but better’ in the literature from Western, high-income settings. Despite discrepancies among interpretations of ‘less’ meat, existing quantifications indicate that significant reduction is needed to achieve desirable food system outcomes. Interpretations of ‘better’ meat incorporate the delivery of environmental sustainability, improved animal welfare and better health or nutrition, but lack clear principles and omit many sustainability themes. Practices and outcomes are seldom linked, and diverging narratives on interactions between ‘less’ and ‘better’ exist. A shared vision of livestock systems with improved sustainability across multiple indicators is needed to establish principles for ‘less but better’ in order for decision-making to deliver desired outcomes.
3D printed microfluidic Coulter counter for blood cell analysis
Authors: Yan Jiasheng , Wang Chuang , Fu Yusheng , Guo Jiuchuan , Guo Jinhong
Published: June 2022

Schematic of the Coulter principle of the analysis box.
Construction of dPCR and qPCR integrated system based on commercially available low-cost hardware
Authors: Wang Kangning , Sang Benliang , He Limin , Guo Yu , Geng Mingkun , Zheng Dezhou , Xu Xiaolong , Wu Wenming
Published: June 2022

Low-cost PCR equipment based on a two-dimensional chip to realize the integration of qPCR and dpcr and the corresponding control and analysis methods.
Nickel-catalyzed decarboxylative cross-coupling of indole-3-acetic acids with aryl bromides by convergent paired electrolysis
Authors: Wang Zhen-Hua , Wei Lei , Jiao Ke-Jin , Ma Cong , Mei Tian-Sheng
Published: June 2022

Nickel-catalyzed decarboxylative cross-coupling of indole-3-acetic acids with aryl bromides by convergent paired electrolysis was developed in an undivided cell.
Ni-modified β-FeOOH nanorod cocatalysts for oxygen evolution utilising photoexcited holes on a N 2p level in a N-doped TiO2 electrode
Authors: Ikeda Takahiro , Suzuki Tomiko M. , Arai Takeo , Morikawa Takeshi
Published: June 2022

Ni-modified β-FeOOH nanorod cocatalysts efficiently utilised the N 2p holes in N-doped TiO2 upon visible light irradiation.
Carbon nanotube encapsulated metal selenide nanostructures for efficient electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction
Authors: Singh Harish , Liyanage Wipula P. R. , Nath Manashi
Published: June 2022

Nickel selenide nanowires grown inside carbon nanotubes through in situ encapsulation via one-step chemical vapor deposition exhibit highly efficient electrocatalytic activity for oxygen evolution reaction.
Enhancing room-temperature phosphorescence via intermolecular charge transfer in dopant-matrix systems
Authors: Deng Xinjian , Huang Ju , Wang Guangming , Li Jiuyang , Li Xun , Lei Chuanhu , Zhang Kaka
Published: June 2022

Intermolecular charge transfer in organic dopant-matrix systems significantly facilitates intersystem crossing and consequently boosts room-temperature phosphorescence.
Large electric piezoresistance of the flexible molecular semiconductive crystal Q(TCNQ)2 during bending
Authors: Hoshino Norihisa , Akutagawa Tomoyuki
Published: June 2022

The electric resistivity of the organic semiconductive crystal of Q(TCNQ)2 (Q+ = quinolinium) was measured during the strain–stress test. A large increase in resistivity was observed during the bending of the Q(TCNQ)2 crystal.
Magnetic order in a metal thiocyanate perovskite-analogue
Authors: Cliffe Matthew J. , Fabelo Oscar , Cañadillas-Delgado Laura
Published: June 2022

Neutron diffraction and magnetic property measurements reveal that Cr[Bi(SCN)6], a metal thiocyanate perovskite-analogue with a face-centred cubic magnetic lattice, orders magnetically at 4.0(2) K with a shortest through-bond path of 15.1 Å.
Strain induced magnetic hysteresis in MoS2 and WS2 monolayers with symmetric double sulfur vacancy defects
Authors: Xue Lin , He Chaoyu , Yang Zhi , Zhang Zhiyi , Xu Lichun , Fan Xiaopeng , Zhang Longlong , Yang Lingzhen
Published: June 2022

The magnetic moment of the symmetric double sulfur vacancy in a MoS2 monolayer can be modulated within the range 0 μB to 7.24 μB under sweeping strain, with a clear hysteresis loop.
Photo-induced 6π-electrocyclisation and cycloreversion of isolated dithienylethene anions
Authors: Buntine Jack T. , Carrascosa Eduardo , Bull James N. , Muller Giel , Jacovella Ugo , Glasson Christopher R. , Vamvounis George , Bieske Evan J.
Published: June 2022

The electrocyclisation and cycloreversion of charge-tagged dithienylethene molecules is explored in the gas phase using tandem ion mobility mass spectrometry.
All-dielectric bilayer complementary metasurfaces supporting quasi-bound states in the continuum induced by intrinsically broken out-of-plane symmetry
Authors: Kim Kwang-Hyon
Published: June 2022

Intrinsically broken out-of-plane symmetry induces a high-Q quasi-BIC, resulting in high degrees of freedom of metasurface design.
Activator-free single-component Co(i)-catalysts for regio- and enantioselective heterodimerization and hydroacylation reactions of 1,3-dienes. New reduction procedures for synthesis of [L]Co(i)-complexes and comparison to in situ generated catalysts
Authors: Parsutkar Mahesh M. , Moore Curtis E. , RajanBabu T. V.
Published: June 2022

New synthesis of (L)[CoIX]-complexes from (L)CoX2 and Mashima's reagent.
Spins at work: probing charging and discharging of organic radical batteries by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy
Authors: Kulikov Ilia , Panjwani Naitik A. , Vereshchagin Anatoliy A. , Spallek Domenik , Lukianov Daniil A. , Alekseeva Elena V. , Levin Oleg V. , Behrends Jan
Published: June 2022

A versatile on-substrate electrode setup was developed and used to perform quantitativein operandoEPR as well as low-temperature pulse EPR experiments on electrochemical cells containing a redox conductive polymer as energy-storage material.
Shear-activated chemisorption and association of cyclic organic molecules
Authors: Bhuiyan Fakhrul H. , Li Yu-Sheng , Kim Seong H. , Martini Ashlie
Published: June 2022

Shear-activated reactions of simple cyclic organic molecules are studied to isolate the effect of chemical structure on reaction yield and pathway.
Hydrodeoxygenation of potential platform chemicals derived from biomass to fuels and chemicals
Authors: Tomishige Keiichi , Yabushita Mizuho , Cao Ji , Nakagawa Yoshinao
Published: June 2022

This review summarizes a variety of catalytic systems to achieve the selective hydrodeoxygenation of potent biomass-derived platform chemicals with a focus on features including catalytic performance, active sites, and mechanism.
Approach to using 3D laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) data to explore the interaction of FLiNaK and FLiBe molten salts with nuclear-grade graphite
Authors: Myhre Kristian G. , Andrews Hunter B. , Sulejmanovic Dino , Contescu Cristian I. , Keiser James R. , Gallego Nidia C.
Published: June 2022

3D LIBS analysis provides insight into interaction of molten salts with nuclear grade graphites, including fluorine and other low-Z elements, through principal component and emission correlation analysis, as well as emission mapping/profiling.
Engineering a sustainable future for point-of-care diagnostics and single-use microfluidic devices
Authors: Ongaro Alfredo Edoardo , Ndlovu Zibusiso , Sollier Elodie , Otieno Collins , Ondoa Pascale , Street Alice , Kersaudy-Kerhoas Maïwenn
Published: June 2022

Single-use, disposable, point-of-care diagnostic devices carry great promise for global health, but present some challenges in terms of environmental sustainability. This perspective covers solutions to embed sustainability at the R&D and product development stages.