bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Grounding on Meditation Quality: Preliminary Study Report—A Case Series
Authors:   Earthing Institute: Palm Springs, California, US, Chevalier Gaétan
Published: December 2022

Background: Published research shows that grounding the human body to Earth (also called “earthing”) produces multiple health benefits. An earlier study documented immediate and abrupt changes in the left hemisphere of the brain upon grounding, an indication of improved brain function (Chevalier et al., 2006). The findings suggest that grounding might improve the practice of meditation, an activity that has gained widespread popularity throughout the world. Objective: To explore possible added benefits from meditating indoors while grounded, an experiment was set up involving 10 longtime meditators. Methods: : Brain mapping with electroencephalographic (EEG) electrodes applied to the head was used to measure brain function during grounding vs. non-grounding periods of the meditation. The participants were monitored separately while meditating in a special conductive recliner chair. They were grounded for 40 minutes in the middle of their meditation session. Grounding was accomplished by using conductive cords to connect the chair, as well as patches applied to the palms of the hands, to the grounding system of the building. For the first 15 minutes of the meditation and the last 10 minutes, participants were disconnected, that is, not grounded. They were blind to when they were and were not grounded. Results: Both objectively and participatively, a deeper meditation was documented during the period of the meditation when participants were grounded compared to when they were not grounded. About half of the participants showed evidence through brain mapping of improvements in brain function. The principal characteristics of the meditation improvements during grounding were: (a) high Alpha in the frontal lobes (increased top-down control regulation and emotional control), (b) high Theta (increase in internal focus, spiritual awareness, and meditation), and (c) tendencies toward brain disorders disappeared during grounding. Conclusion: This small pilot project presents evidence that meditating indoors while grounded offers benefits beyond the meditation itself and replicates traditional practices in which individuals meditated while sitting on the ground. These results warrant more research with more participants and a control group.
Important Aspects of the Healing Relationship in EFT: Bringing the Unconscious into Consciousness
Authors:   Lakewood, Washington, USA, Frost Judith H.
Published: December 2022

Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) has been rapidly gaining popularity over the last several decades. It’s been a heady and exciting time for those leading the way in this cutting-edge healing field. Now EFT is coming of age with the establishment of Clinical EFT, which has been validated extensively in research studies to meet the designation of “evidence-based” practice. Extensive trainings in the methodology of Clinical EFT are being conducted all over the world, turning out fine practitioners, among them mental health clinicians, coaches, and laypeople, who perform Clinical EFT in a technically excellent way. One area that has not yet been widely attended to, however, is that of the role of the healing relationship between practitioner and client. Many studies have shown the vital importance of the healing relationship in achieving the best treatment outcomes. This article is intended to explore one of the least understood aspects of that relationship: the interplay between client transference and practitioner countertransference. Many practitioners are not aware of the dynamic process of transference and countertransference that is present in the treatment room during EFT sessions. This article particularly focuses on the recognition and use of countertransference to help practitioners take advantage of the opportunities it provides and the pitfalls that should be avoided.
Lkb1 loss in regulatory T cells leads to dysregulation of hematopoietic stem cell expansion and differentiation in bone marrow
Authors: Chen Jiadi , Liu Jingru , Huang Huifang
Published: December 2022

The tumor suppressor Lkb1 is known to regulate the expression of forkhead box P3 (Foxp3), thereby maintaining the levels of Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Treg) that play a crucial role in self‐tolerance. However, the effect of Lkb1 in Treg on hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in the bone marrow (BM) remains obscure. Here, we demonstrated that conditional deletion of Lkb1 in Treg causes loss of Treg in the BM, which leads to failure of HSC homeostasis and the abnormal expansion. Moreover, the loss of BM Treg results in dysregulation of other developing progenitors/stem cell populations, leading to the defective differentiation of T cells and B cells. In addition, HSC from the BM with Treg loss exhibited poor engraftment efficiency, indicating that loss of Treg leads to irreversible impairment of HSC. Collectively, these results demonstrated the essential role of Lkb1 in Treg for maintaining HSC homeostasis and differentiation in mice. These findings provide insight into the mechanisms of HSC regulation and guidance for a strategy to improve the outcomes and reduce complications of HSC transplantation.
Achieving over 1,000 mW cm−2 Power Density Based on Locally High‐Density Cross‐Linked Polybenzimidazole Membrane Containing Pillar[5]arene Bearing Multiple Alkyl Bromide as a Cross‐Linker
Authors: Peng Jinwu , Wang Shichao , Fu Xianzhu , Luo Jingli , Wang Lei , Peng Xiaojun
Published: December 2022

Cross‐linking is widely accepted as an effective method to improve the mechanical strength and durability of phosphoric acid (PA) doped polybenzimidazole (PBI) membranes. However, the cross‐linked membranes generally exhibit compromised overall performance since their compact network structures decrease the free volumes of membranes, leading to poor proton conductivity. In this study, a locally high‐density cross‐linked polybenzimidazole network based on pillar[5]arene bearing multiple alkyl bromide is constructed for the first time to achieve high proton conductivity, desired mechanical properties, and excellent fuel cell performance. The pillar[5]arene‐cross‐linked network considerably enhances the mechanical strength of membrane (14.6 MPa), particularly with high PA uptake, and provides loose PBI chain segment packing to retain PA (315.9%). Surprisingly, the pillar[5]arene‐cross‐linked PBI membrane displays a high‐power density of 1,084.1 mW cm−2 at 180 °C and 0.6 mg cm−2 Pt loading without backpressure and humidification, that is the highest value reported in cross‐linked membranes for high‐temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells.
Spacer Cation Alloying Enables Markedly Improved Chiroptical Properties of Two‐Dimensional Chiral Hybrid Perovskite Nanosheets
Authors: Lu Rong , Wen Zhangchuan , Zhao Mei , Li Jun , Zhang Lijie , Yang Yun , Jin Huile , Chen Yihuang , Wang Shun , Pan Shuang
Published: December 2022

The combination of unique features of chirality and promising attributes of 2D halide perovskites opens an enticing avenue for the rational design of chiral materials in chiroptoelectronics and spintronics. Despite several impressive approaches available to prepare 2D perovskites with chirality, it poses significant challenges to having a general route to a myriad of high‐quality nanoscale 2D chiral perovskites with tunable and enhanced chiroptical properties. Herein, a robust spacer cation alloying strategy to craft 2D chiral perovskite nanosheets (NSs) is reported, exhibiting a markedly improved circular dichroism signal over the pure chiral cation‐based counterparts. The experimental studies and density functional theory (DFT) modeling revealed that the introduction of achiral cations promoted the defect passivation of NSs via optimization of the binding energy of the cations on the NS surface. More importantly, the compelling effects of spacer cation alloying on the chiroptical properties are readily extended to 2D perovskite NSs with other chiral A‐site cations, lead‐less B‐site cations and X‐site halide anions of interest. This study provides a powerful platform to produce a wide diversity of 2D chiral perovskite nanomaterials and regulate their chiroptical properties via innovative and convenient cation alloying, which may boost the development of chiroptical devices.
Effects of penta‐coordinated Al3+ sites and Ni defective sites on Ni/Al2O3 for CO methanation
Authors: Wang Qianqian , Cao Min , Fan Liming , Duchesne Paul N. , Wang Pengfei , Li Sha , Li Ruifeng , Yan Xiaoliang
Published: December 2022

Engineering sophisticated structure of Al2O3 and controlling the structure of counterpart metal active sites remain challenges to achieve a high catalytic‐performance in heterogeneous catalysis. Herein, we present a confinement strategy to stabilize homogeneous Ni by penta‐coordinated Al3+ anchoring sites in Al2O3. This approach is involved in using a metal–organic framework as host to load Ni2+ ions, by the aim of producing a confined Ni/Al2O3 catalyst after a standard calcination. Metal–support interaction between Ni and Al2O3 was tailored to be medium to avoid the formation of inactive NiAl2O4, which favors the generation of more available Ni active sites accessible to the reactants. The resultant Ni/Al2O3 exhibited superior catalytic performance in comparison with the control Ni/Al2O3 in CO methanation owing to the presence of defective sites on sufficient Ni0 surface. Furthermore, the presence of oxygen vacancies on Al2O3 and hydrogen spillover contributed toward excellent coke resistance properties in the reaction.
COGNITO (Computerized assessment of adult information processing): Normative scores for a rural Indian population from the SANSCOG study
Authors: Kahali Bratati , Balakrishnan Aditi , Dhanavanthri Muralidhara Sneha , Muniz‐Terrera Graciela , Ritchie Karen ,   SANSCOG Study Team, Ravindranath Vijayalakshmi
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Neuropsychological assessments are inexpensive and efficient methods to understand the cognitive abilities of individuals in research studies and clinical settings. Normative scores for such measures are crucial in serving as a reference standard for identifying cognitively healthy and impaired individuals belonging to similar sociodemographic characteristics.

Methods

Study subjects in rural India recruited into the Srinivaspura Aging, Neuro Senescence and Cognition (SANSCOG) study were administered the COGNITO battery of tests, which traverse cognitive domains of attention, memory, language, and visuospatial abilities. Percentile norms based on age and education stratification were derived for the above cohort.

Results

Percentile norms are commensurate with literacy levels in this population. The percentile scores for the cognitive tests show a decline for the individuals aged 75 years and above indicating lower cognitive functioning in this age group.

Discussion

This is the first‐ever study reporting norms for diverse cognitive domains for illiterate, literate, low‐literate individuals enrolled in a large‐scale community‐based cohort study in rural India.
Seasonal Variation in Neurologic Hospitalizations in the United States
Authors: Hamedani Ali G. , Thibault Dylan , Willis Allison W.
Published: December 2022

Objective

Certain neurologic diseases have been noted to vary by season, and this is important for understanding disease mechanisms and risk factors, but seasonality has not been systematically examined across the spectrum of neurologic disease, and methodologic guidance is also lacking.

Methods

Using nationally representative data from the National Inpatient Sample, a stratified 20% sample of all non‐federal acute care hospitalizations in the United States, we calculated the monthly rate of hospitalization for 14 neurologic diseases from 2016 to 2018. For each disease, we assessed seasonality of hospitalization using chi‐squared, Edward, and Walter‐Elwood tests and seasonal time series regression models. Statistical tests were adjusted for multiple hypothesis testing using Bonferroni correction.

Results

Meningitis, encephalitis, ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, Guillain‐Barre syndrome, and multiple sclerosis had statistically significant seasonality according to multiple methods of testing. Subarachnoid hemorrhage, status epilepticus, myasthenia gravis, and epilepsy had significant seasonality according to Edwards and Walter‐Elwood tests but not chi‐square tests. Seasonal time series regression illustrated seasonal variation in all 14 diseases of interest, but statistical testing for seasonality within these models using the Kruskal‐Wallis test only achieved statistical significance for meningitis.

Interpretation

Seasonal variation is present across the spectrum of acute neurologic disease, including some conditions for which seasonality has not previously been described, and can be examined using multiple different methods. ANN NEUROL 2023;93:743–751
Preparation of chlorine resistant thin‐film‐composite reverse‐osmosis polyamide membranes with tri‐acyl chloride containing thioether units
Authors: Li Dongsheng , Lu Haoran , Yan Xinyi , Wan Haohan , Yan Guangming , Zhang Gang
Published: December 2022

A novel tri‐acyl chloride monomer containing reductive thioether units (T‐TDC) was prepared. It was conducted to partially replace trimesoyl chloride (TMC) and react with m‐phenylenediamine (MPD) by interfacial polymerization to prepare a series of T‐TDC/TMC/MPD copolymer thin‐film‐composite reverse‐osmosis polyamide membranes. Through this routine, the reductive thioether units was introduced into the film molecular chain to protect amide bonds from being chlorinated by oxidizing during the membrane cleaning process. The enhanced chlorine resistance of these resultant membranes was revealed by FT‐IR and XPS characterization: it could be found thioether was prior to amide oxidation, and its oxidation process can be divided into two steps (the thioether units was first converted to sulfoxide groups, and then further oxidized to sulfone groups). Through this routine, the active chlorine was consumed partially, then the amide bond was protected. The experiment result is consistent with the DFT theoretical calculation. The chlorine exposure concentration of the normalized flux and rejection decreased to 1 increased gradually with the addition of copolymerization ratio of T‐TDC, especially for the sample 20%‐TTDC‐TFC, its chlorine exposure concentration was 3 and 4 times higher respectively than that of 0%‐TTDC‐TFC when its normalized flux and rejection at 1. In addition, it can be found that the polar sulfone and sulfoxide groups can form hydrogen bonds to prevent the membrane from degrading immediately. This method provides an effective way for improving the service life of RO film.
Metabolomic analysis of the sera of patients with the long‐term inhalation of caffeine‐sodium benzoate using LC–MS
Authors: Yu Tianwei , Yan Quanzhi , Tian Lili , Zhao Huiying , Suo Feiya , Suriguga  , Li Weixin , Guo Rong , Yang Hao
Published: December 2022

The present study aimed to systematically assess the potential biomarkers in the serum samples of patients with long‐term inhalation of caffeine‐sodium benzoate (CSB). LC–MS was applied to analyze the metabolic profiles of serum samples of patients with the long‐term intake of CSB (n = 35) and other volunteers with no intake of CSB treated as the control group (n = 35). The raw data of metabolic profiles were analyzed via principal component analysis, partial least squares analysis, and orthogonal partial least squares analysis. MBRole 2.0 online tools were used to analyze the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis of different metabolites. The serum metabolic profiles showed several metabolites with large variations, including 2‐propyl‐2,4‐pentadienoic acid, 24‐hydroxycholesterol, 3‐O‐sulfogalactosylceramide (d18:1/24:1(15Z)), 3‐O‐sulfogalactosylceramide (d18:1/12:0), 3‐O‐sulfogalactosylceramide (d18:1/14:0), 3a,7a‐dihydroxy‐5b‐cholestan‐26‐al, 3a,7a‐dihydroxy‐5b‐cholestane, 7a,25‐dihydroxycholesterol, bilirubin, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways involved in metabolism included ‘choline metabolism in cancer’ and ‘glycerophospholipid metabolism’. In conclusion, the present study provides a basis with which to explore the molecular‐specific mechanisms concerning the effects of the long‐term inhalation of CSB on human physical and mental health.
A low‐cost, high‐throughput microfluidic nano‐culture platform for functional metagenomics
Authors: Kaur Manpreet , Ferreiro Aura , Hung Cheng‐Yu , Dantas Gautam , Ramasubramanian Anand K.
Published: December 2022

Functional metagenomics is an attractive culture‐independent approach for functional screening of diverse microbiomes to identify known and novel genes. Since functional screening can involve sifting through tens of thousands of metagenomic library clones, an easy high‐throughput screening approach is desirable. Here, we demonstrate a proof‐of‐concept application of a low‐cost, high‐throughput droplet based microfluidic assay to the selection of antibiotic resistance genes from a soil metagenomic library. Metagenomic library members encapsulated in nanoliter volume water‐in‐oil droplets were printed on glass slides robotically, and cell growth in individual drops in the presence of ampicillin was imaged and quantified to identify ampicillin‐resistant clones. From the hits, true positives were confirmed by sequencing and functional validation. The ease of liquid handling, ease of set‐up, low cost, and robust workflow makes the droplet‐based nano‐culture platform a promising candidate for screening and selection assays for functional metagenomic libraries.
Randomized phase II study of capecitabine plus cisplatin with or without sorafenib in patients with metastatic gastric cancer (STARGATE)
Authors: Ryu Min‐Hee , Lee Kyung Hee , Shen Lin , Yeh Kun‐Huei , Yoo Changhoon , Hong Young Seon , Park Young Iee , Yang Sung Hyun , Shin Dong Bok , Zang Dae Young , Kang Won Ki , Chung Ik‐Joo , Kim Yeul Hong , Ryoo Baek‐Yeol , Nam Byung‐Ho , Park Young Soo , Kang Yoon‐Koo
Published: December 2022

Background

In this randomized phase II study, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of sorafenib in combination with capecitabine and cisplatin (XP) as first‐line chemotherapy in advanced gastric cancer.

Patients and Methods

Patients with metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma were randomized (1:1) to receive either sorafenib plus XP (S + XP) or XP alone. In cases of disease progression in the XP arm, crossover to sorafenib alone was allowed. The primary endpoint was progression‐free survival (PFS). The secondary endpoints included overall survival (OS), response rates, safety profiles, and biomarkers, and the response rates and PFS with secondline sorafenib alone after progression in the XP arm.

Results

Between Jan 2011 and Feb 2013, a total of 195 patients were accrued (97 in the S + XP arm and 98 in the XP alone arm). The overall response rate was 54% with S + XP, and 52% with XP alone (p = 0.83). With a median follow‐up of 12.6 months (range, 0.1–29.2), the median PFS assessed by independent review was 5.6 months in the S + XP arm and 5.3 months in the XP arm (hazard ratio [HR] 0.92, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.67–1.27, p = 0.61). Overall survival was not different between the two arms (median 11.7 vs. 10.8 months; HR 0.93, 95% CI 0.65–1.31, p = 0.66). Frequencies of grade 3/4 toxicities were similar between the S + XP and XP alone arms, except for neutropenia (21% vs. 37%), anorexia (0% vs. 5%), and hand‐foot skin reaction (7% vs. 1%). Among 51 patients who crossed over to sorafenib alone after disease progression in the XP arm, there was no objective response and their median PFS was 1.3 months (95% CI, 1.2–1.7).

Conclusion

The addition of sorafenib to XP chemotherapy was safe but not more effective than XP alone for first‐line treatment of metastatic gastric cancer.
Soccer match tragedy offers lessons for improving crowd management
Authors: Skipworth Stan
Published: December 2022

In October 2022, Persebaya soccer club won a 3‐2 match over rival Arema in Malang, Indonesia. It was the first time Arema lost to Persebava in 23 years; incensed fans stormed the pitch in a stampede that ended with tear gas and at least 125 dead.
Prepare for more student‐athlete agents (and regulatory burden) in wake of NIL modernization
Authors: Mayne Nic , Forer Max
Published: December 2022

California's introduction of the Fair Pay to Play Act in late 2019 kicked off a multi‐state legislative effort to codify into law student‐athletes’ right of publicity and ability to receive compensation in connection with licensed uses of those rights. In its eventual response, the NCAA modernized its name, image, and likeness restrictions with a short‐form interim policy, mirroring the key aspects of the state bills that had at that point been passed into law.
Moebius syndrome—Case report
Authors: Gheorghe Dan Cristian , Stanciu Adina E. , Zamfir‐Chiru‐Anton Adina , Doru Oprea , Epure Veronica
Published: December 2022

Moebius Syndrome is a rare multifactorial condition defined by congenital complete or partial VII and VIth cranial nerves palsy and other physical abnormalities. We present the case of a 3 months old infant with Moebius sequence and breathing and eating difficulties, managed by tracheostomy and laryngoplasty.
Efficient and Stable Cu‐Cu2O@NC Catalysts for Selective Catalytic Conversion of Glycerol to Lactic Acid
Authors: Zhang Junjie , Wu Xueying , Chen Jiazhi , Wang Xi , Mai Yuliang
Published: December 2022

Developing efficient Cu‐based catalysts for catalytic conversion of glycerol to lactic acid has attracted much attention because of the low cost and high activity. However, construction of efficient Cu‐based catalysts with high stability for aqueous reactions at high temperatures still remains a challenge. Herein, highly dispersed Cu0 and Cu2O nanoparticles encapsulated by N‐doped C (Cu‐Cu2O@NC) were constructed by calcination of Cu‐based MOF for the catalytic dehydrogenation of glycerol to lactic acid under N2 atmosphere. The Cu‐Cu2O@NC‐400 catalyst exhibited 100 % conversion of glycerol with 84.8 % selectivity to lactic acid at 220 °C for 90 min. The Cu‐Cu2O@NC‐400 catalyst could be reused for eight times with almost no loss in the catalytic activity. The Cu‐Cu2O@NC‐400 catalyst is stable in the harsh reaction conditions, for the aggregation of Cu nanoparticles is avoided due to the confinement effect. The Cu‐Cu2O@NC‐400 catalyst demonstrated high catalytic activity and superior reusability benefitting from the N‐doping and highly dispersed Cu nanoparticles embedded in N‐doped C. This work will pave the way for designing efficient catalysts with high stability for catalytic dehydrogenation of alcohols.
An Advanced Characterization Toolbox for Selective Olefin Oxidation Catalysts
Authors: Klag Linda , Sheppard Thomas L. , Grunwaldt Jan‐Dierk
Published: December 2022

The selective oxidation of propylene and isobutene form a central cornerstone in chemical industry, typically catalysed by bismuth molybdate based multicomponent systems. Over the past decades, a detailed knowledge has been gained on the mechanism by theoretical and experimental studies including in situ and operando characterization techniques, using simplified model catalysts. These have provided excellent insight, but in industrially applied selective oxidation typically multi‐component catalysts are used, leading to higher activity and selectivity. New concepts and characterization methods allow now studies of the more complex multicomponent catalysts covering the various length and time scales and potentially providing new insights into the dynamics and cooperation during catalysis. Starting with an overview of past concepts and milestones, we report on latest developments and future trends in the field of selective oxidation of lower olefins. Thereby we focus both on conventional spectroscopic and advanced characterisation methods and discuss the importance of integral and spatially‐resolved approaches. We conclude that fundamental understanding of such complex oxidation reactions requires combined and interdisciplinary research, now possible with the new characterization tools, data analysis schemes and reactor modelling approaches. This allows bridging the various complexity scales.
First‐in‐Human Studies of Pharmacokinetics and Safety of Utreloxastat (PTC857), a Novel 15‐Lipooxygenase Inhibitor for the Treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Authors: Gao Lan , Giannousis Peter , Thoolen Martin , Kaushik Diksha , Latham Joey , Tansy Aaron , Ma Jiyuan , Johnston Mayzie , Dali Mandar , Golden Lee , Klein Matthew , Kong Ronald , Trimmer Jeffrey
Published: December 2022

Utreloxastat (PTC857) is a 15‐lipoxygenase inhibitor being developed to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. This first‐in‐human study investigated the safety and pharmacokinetics of utreloxastat in healthy volunteers (N = 82) in a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial. The effects of a single ascending dose (100–1000 mg), multiple ascending doses (150–500 mg), and food (500 mg) on the pharmacokinetics and safety of utreloxastat were evaluated. Following single doses, the time to maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) was observed ≈4 hours after dosing and the terminal half‐life ranged from 20 to 25.3 hours. The Cmax and area under the concentration‐time curve (AUC) increased slightly over dose proportionally. Following multiple doses (once daily/twice daily), the apparent clearance reduced and terminal half‐life was ≥33 hours. There was no apparent difference of exposure following morning or evening doses. Varying diets increased the Cmax and AUCs of utreloxastat but did not alter time to Cmax. There were no gender‐based differences in exposure. Utreloxastat showed no marked safety signal following single doses up to 1000 mg and multiple doses over 14 days of 500 mg once daily or 250 mg twice daily. The results support further development of utreloxastat for the treatment of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis at a 250‐mg twice‐daily dose administered with food.
Face image de‐identification by feature space adversarial perturbation
Authors: Xue Hanyu , Liu Bo , Yuan Xin , Ding Ming , Zhu Tianqing
Published: December 2022

Privacy leakage in images attracts increasing concerns these days, as photos uploaded to large social platforms are usually not processed by proper privacy protection mechanisms. Moreover, with advanced artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as deep neural network (DNN), an adversary can detect people's identities and collect other sensitive personal information from images at an unprecedented scale. In this paper, we introduce a novel face image de‐identification framework using adversarial perturbations in the feature space. Manipulating the feature space vector ensures the good transferability of our framework. Moreover, the proposed feature space adversarial perturbation generation algorithm can successfully protect the identity‐related information while ensuring the other attributes remain similar. Finally, we conduct extensive experiments on two face image datasets to evaluate the performance of the proposed method. Our results show that the proposed method can generate real‐looking privacy‐preserving images efficiently. Although our framework has only been tested on two real‐life face image datasets, it can be easily extended to other types of images.
Critical role of parasite‐mediated energy pathway on community response to nutrient enrichment
Authors: Thongthaisong Patch , Kasada Minoru , Grossart Hans‐Peter , Wollrab Sabine
Published: December 2022

Parasites form an integral part of food webs, however, they are often ignored in classic food web theory or limited to the investigation of trophic transmission pathways. Specifically, direct consumption of parasites by nonhost predators is rarely considered, while it can contribute substantially to energy flow in food webs. In aquatic systems, chytrids constitute a major group of fungal parasites whose free‐living infective stages (zoospores) form a highly nutritional food source to zooplankton. Thereby, the consumption of zoospores can create an energy pathway from otherwise inedible phytoplankton to zooplankton (“mycoloop”). This parasite‐mediated energy pathway might be of special importance during phytoplankton blooms dominated by inedible or toxic primary producers like cyanobacteria, which are on the rise with eutrophication and global warming. We theoretically investigated community dynamics and energy transfer in a food web consisting of an edible nonhost and an inedible host phytoplankton species, a parasitic fungus, and a zooplankton species grazing on edible phytoplankton and fungi. Food web dynamics were investigated along a nutrient gradient contrasting nonadaptive zooplankton species representative for filter feeders like cladocerans and zooplankton with the ability to actively adapt their feeding preferences like many copepod species. Overall, the importance of the mycoloop for zooplankton increases with nutrient availability. This increase is smooth for nonadaptive consumers. For adaptive consumers, we observe an abrupt shift from an almost exclusive preference for edible phytoplankton at low nutrient levels to a strong preference for parasitic fungi at high nutrient levels. The model predicts that parasitic fungi could contribute up to 50% of the zooplankton diet in nutrient‐rich environments, which agrees with empirical observations on zooplankton gut content from eutrophic systems during blooms of inedible diatoms or cyanobacteria. Our findings highlight the role of parasite‐mediated energy pathways for predictions of energy flow and community composition under current and future environmental change.
Opportunistic depredation of songbird nestlings by female praying mantids (Mantodea: Mantidae)
Authors: Kolnegari Mahmood , Fasano Antonio , Zareie Khalil , Panter Connor T.
Published: December 2022

Praying mantids (class Insecta, order Mantodea) are a group of predatory insects comprising approximately 2500 described species, that occur across all continents except Antarctica, with the greatest species diversity in tropical and subtropical regions. Mantids predominantly prey on other invertebrates but are known to feed on small vertebrates. During April and May 2021, we observed mantid feeding events in Manujan County, Kerman Province in southern Iran. Two distinct feeding events were observed where female European Mantids (Mantis religiosa) preyed on Purple Sunbird (Cinnyris asiaticus) and Crested Lark (Galerida cristata) nestlings. In addition, we collated information from online searches of mantids feeding on nestlings elsewhere in the world, revealing two more observations. In Taiwan, a Giant Asian Mantid (Hierodula patellifera) was recorded preying on a nestling Warbling White‐eye (Zosterops japonicus) and in Brazil, a mantid (Stagmatoptera sp.) was recorded feeding on a nestling White‐throated Seedeater (Sporophila albogularis). To date, the only existing scientific evidence of praying mantids feeding on passerine nestlings was recorded in 1922. We propose two potential explanations for the observed trophic interactions between mantids and passerine nestlings: (1) during egg production female mantids, especially those in poor physical condition, may opportunistically feed on nestlings in order to increase fecundity via nutrient gain and (2) mantids may initially be attracted toward the nest by parasitic or coprophagous insects, as a result of poor nest sanitation, and subsequently prey on nestlings after detecting movements. Our unusual observations represent the first records of praying mantids feeding on nestling passerines in nearly 100 years.
Preparation, Characterization, and Gastrointestinal Digestion of Triterpenol‐Loaded Liposomes
Authors: Sun Xiaotian , Guo Xin , Liu Ruijie , Chang Ming , Wang Xinguo
Published: December 2022

Triterpenol is an important phytochemical that is beneficial to humans. However, there are limitations of application due to its poor solubility. Liposomes are increasingly utilized as a delivery system for phytochemicals with poor solubility which is suitable for triterpenol. In the present study, the stability of triterpenol‐loaded liposomes (Tri‐LP) is demonstrated. Tri‐LP stability is observed when the mass ratio of phospholipids to triterpenol is 4:1. Sodium alginate (ALG) and chitosan showed different effects on Tri‐LP. Tri‐LP coated by ALG (Tri‐LP‐ALG) is stabilized by H‐bonding, while electrostatic interactions can stabilize Tri‐LP coated by chitosan (Tri‐LP‐CH). Tri‐LP‐ALG is more stable than Tri‐LP‐CH during storage. The bioaccessibility of Tri‐LP is 11%. ALG and chitosan show no influence on bioaccessibility of Tri‐LP, but reduce the release rate of triterpenol during digestion. Overall, the findings suggest that Tri‐LP showed good promise for future application in functional beverages.

Practical Applications: Triterpenol has poor solubility both in oil and water, which greatly limits the functional utilization of triterpene in organisms. Liposomes offer a novel approach to triternenol oral delivery system. It meets the current demands for food health. Liposomes can improve the absorption and utilization of triterpenol in vivo digestion. Many studies and applications of liposomes has carried out in medical field while nutritional supplements with liposomes technology are not common in the market. Triterpenol‐loaded liposomes can not only increase applications in phytochemicals with poor absorption but also offer an interesting attempt of liposomes in food development.
Regional character of geomagnetic field directional circularity: Holocene Eastern North America
Authors: Lund Steven P.
Published: December 2022

This study summarizes paleomagnetic secular variation (PSV) in five
published Holocene records from Eastern North America. We have developed
100-year increment time series for the declinations and inclinations for
all sites and compared their directional variability. We see evidence of
ten correlatable features in both inclination and declination. We focus
on the clockwise or counter-clockwise motion of paleomagnetic directions
(termed circularity) in these PSV records. We have first calculated the
incremental rate and direction of motion (clockwise or
counter-clockwise) for each record over the last 4000-8000 years. We
have separately looked for discernable looping in individual records. We
estimate the loop sizes, durations, and circularity direction. We see
the same pattern of circularity in both measurement techniques. There
are seven intervals of oscillating circularity and looping in all five
sites. Both techniques suggest a distinctive oscillating, teeter-totter
like, behavior to PSV circularity that must be due to the pattern of
fluid flow in the outer core. This teeter-totter behavior is unbalanced
with more time spent in clockwise motion than in counter-clockwise
motion. We think the teeter-totter oscillation may be due to torsional
oscillation in the outer core fluid flow. The loops have a distribution
of sizes and durations with smaller loops being shorter in duration and
bigger loops having longer durations. All five PSV records show 5
intervals of ~102 yr significant acceleration in
circularity rate and PSV rate combined with change in circularity
direction. These features are broadly analogous to historic geomagnetic
jerks.
Investigation on a diesel engine fueled with hydrogen‐compressed natural gas and Kusum seed biodiesel: Performance, combustion, and emission approach
Authors: Parimi Krishna Bharathi , Sukhvinder Kaur Bhatti , Lankapalli Sathya Vara Prasad , Sagari Jaikumar
Published: December 2022

The objective of the present study is to evaluate the performance, combustion, and emission characteristics of a compression‐ignition engine using hydrogen‐compressed natural gas (HCNG)‐enriched Kusum seed biodiesel blend (KSOBD20). The flow rate of HCNG was set at 5, 10, and 15 liters per minute (lpm), and the injection pressure was varied in the range of 180–240 bar. Brake thermal efficiency (BTE) and brake‐specific fuel consumption (BSFC) were improved when HCNG was added to the KSOBD20. Combustion characteristics, namely, cylinder pressure (CP) and net heat release rate (NHRR), were also improved. Emissions of carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), and smoke were also reduced, with the exception of nitrogen oxides (NOx). The higher injection pressure (240 bar) had a positive effect on operating characteristics. At an injection pressure of 240 bar, for KSOB20 + 15 lpm HCNG, the highest BTE and the lowest BSFC were found to be 32.09% and 0.227 kg/kWh, respectively. Also, the CP and NHRR were 69.34 bar and 66.04 J/deg. CO, HC, and smoke levels were finally reduced to 0.013%, 47 ppm, and 9%, respectively, with increased NOx levels of 1623 ppm. For optimum results in terms of engine characteristics, the fuel combination KSOBD20 + 15 lpm HCNG at fuel injection pressure 240 bar is recommended. Thus, HCNG‐enriched KSOBD20 can be used as an alternative fuel in diesel engines without requiring any modifications to increase performance and reduce emissions.
Circular RNAs expression profiles and bioinformatics analysis in bronchopulmonary dysplasia
Authors: Lun Yu , Hu Junlong , Zuming Yang
Published: December 2022

Background

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) has long been considered the most challenging chronic lung disease for neonatologists and researchers due to its complex pathological mechanisms and difficulty in prediction. Growing evidence indicates that BPD is associated with the dysregulation of circular RNAs (circRNAs). Therefore, we aimed to explore the expression profiles of circRNAs and investigate the underlying molecular network associated with BPD.

Methods

Peripheral blood was collected from very‐low‐birth‐weight (VLBW) infants at 5–8 days of life to extract PBMCs. Microarray analysis and qRT‐PCR tests were performed to determine the differentially expressed circRNAs (DEcircRNAs) between BPD and non‐BPD VLBW infants. Simultaneous analysis of GSE32472 was conducted to obtain differentially expressed mRNAs (DEmRNA) from BPD infants. The miRNAs were predicted by DEcircRNAs and DEmRNAs of upregulated, respectively, and then screened for overlapping ones. GO and KEGG analysis was performed following construction of the competing endogenous RNA regulatory network (ceRNA) for further investigation.

Results

A total of 65 circRNAs (52 upregulated and 13 downregulated) were identified as DEcircRNAs between the two groups (FC >2.0 and p.adj <0.05). As a result, the ceRNA network was constructed based on three upregulated DEcircRNAs validated by qRT‐PCR (hsa_circ_0007054, hsa_circ_0057950, and hsa_circ_0120151). Bioinformatics analysis indicated these DEcircRNAs participated in response to stimulus, IL‐1 receptor activation, neutrophil activation, and metabolic pathways.

Conclusions

In VLBW infants with a high risk for developing BPD, the circRNA expression profiles in PBMCs were significantly altered in the early post‐birth period, suggesting immune dysregulation caused by infection and inflammatory response already existed.
Impact of age‐dependent red blood cell parameters on α‐globin gene genotyping in children
Authors: Nissen Peter H. , Narvestad‐Bøttger Helene , Kristensen Helle Pilgaard , Winther‐Larsen Anne
Published: December 2022

When screening for α‐thalassemia in children, adult cut‐offs for mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) are generally applied to guide genetic evaluation. However, the normal ranges for MCV and MCH are lower in children than in adults, so we hypothesized that using age‐matched cut‐offs could lead to a more rational diagnostic strategy. The aim of this study was to evaluate if age‐matched cut‐offs could be applied advantageously. Data on children referred to a hemoglobin fractionation at the Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Aarhus University Hospital between 2016–2021 were identified in the laboratory information system. α‐globin gene (HBA1/HBA2) genotyping was performed using multiplex gap‐polymerase chain reaction. A total of 387 children were identified. HBA1/HBA2‐genotyping was performed in 207 children (53%), and α‐thalassemia was diagnosed in 47 children (23%) with −α3.7/αα being the predominant genotype (13%). We found that 23 children had MCV and MCH levels in the normal age‐matched range, and two of these children (9%) were α+ thalassemia carriers with three functional α‐globin genes. Using age‐specific cut‐off levels resulted in a reduction of 23 (11%) genotypes performed. In conclusion, applying age‐matched cut‐offs for MCV and MCH when screening children for α‐thalassemia lead to 11% fewer genotypes performed while 9% carriers of α+ thalassemia (of the medically innocuous genotype −α3.7/αα) would have been overlooked.
A New Class of Single‐Material, Non‐Reciprocal Microactuators
Authors: Maslen Charlie , Gholamipour‐Shirazi Azarmidokht , Butler Matthew D. , Kropacek Jindrich , Rehor Ivan , Montenegro‐Johnson Thomas
Published: December 2022

A crucial component in designing soft actuating structures with controllable shape changes is programming internal, mismatching stresses. In this work, a new paradigm for achieving anisotropic dynamics between isotropic end‐states—yielding a non‐reciprocal shrinking/swelling response over a full actuation cycle—in a microscale actuator made of a single material, purely through microscale design is demonstrated. Anisotropic dynamics is achieved by incorporating micro‐sized pores into certain segments of the structures; by arranging porous and non‐porous segments (specifically, struts) into a 2D hexagonally‐shaped microscopic poly(N‐isopropyl acrylamide) hydrogel particle, the rate of isotropic shrinking/swelling in the structure is locally modulated, generating global anisotropic, non‐reciprocal, dynamics. A simple mathematical model is introduced that reveals the physics that underlies these dynamics. This design has the potential to be used as a foundational tool for inducing non‐reciprocal actuation cycles with a single material structure, and enables new possibilities in producing customized soft actuators and modular anisotropic metamaterials for a range of real‐world applications, such as artificial cilia.
Chemical Bonding in the Catalytic Platform Material Ga1‐xSnxPd2
Authors: Ormeci Alim , Gaudry Emilie , Armbrüster Marc , Grin Yuri
Published: December 2022

The underlying reasons for the catalytic activity of Ga1‐xSnxPd2 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) in the semi‐hydrogenation of acetylene are analyzed considering electronic structure and chemical bonding. Analysis of the chemical bonding shows pronounced charge transfer from the p elements to palladium and an unusual appearance of the Pd core basins at the surface of the QTAIM (quantum theory of atoms in molecules) atoms. The charge transfer supports the formation of the negatively charged palladium catalytic centers. Gallium‐only‐coordinated palladium atoms reveal a smaller effective charge in comparison with palladium species having tin in their coordination sphere. Within the empirical tight‐binding approach, different influence of the E‐Pd distances on the calculation matrix for the energy eigenvalues and the electronic density of states (DOS) leads to an S‐like shape of the plot of the energy position of the 4d band center of gravity versus substitution level x. The latter correlates strongly with the catalytic activity and with the varying charge transfer to palladium. The optimal value of negative palladium charge and the closest position of Pd d‐states gravity center towards the Fermi level correlates well with the catalytically most active composition x. Combination of all features of the chemical bonding and electronic structure allows more insight into the intrinsic reasons for the catalytic activity variation in the platform material Ga1‐xSnxPd2 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1).
A conceptual framework for a value‐based sustainability balanced scorecard
Authors: Trisyulianti Erlin , Prihartono Budhi , Andriani Made , Suryadi Kadarsah
Published: December 2022

Sustainability balanced scorecard (SBSC) is a management system that can translate strategy into the company's operations. However, based on previous research, a gap states that using SBSC gives birth to many performance indicators. Therefore, we need a framework that can formulate performance indicators to be more proportional to using company resources. For this reason, this research proposes a value framework adopted from six business process values. These six values ​​are efficiency, quality, agility, integration, compliance, and networking. This study aims to prove that these six values ​​can be used as SBSC values. So that will be obtained A Conceptual Framework for a Value‐Based Sustainability Balanced Scorecard. The methodology explored three state‐owned plantation enterprise in Indonesia and analyzed data using qualitative research coding. The result shows that there are 11 criteria for efficiency, 11 for quality, seven for agility, 12 for compliance, eight for integration, and nine for networking. These criteria have a 100% validation level where the value criteria are found in each company. The performance indicator criteria have been assessed based on the level of relevance test from managers who say that it is almost 100% important and very important. The criteria that have been grouped against these values ​​have proven that the six values ​​can be used to direct managers in formulating company performance indicators so that the established performance indicators are expected to allocate resources proportionally.
An exact regression‐based approach for the estimation of natural direct and indirect effects with a binary outcome and a continuous mediator
Authors: Samoilenko Mariia , Lefebvre Geneviève
Published: December 2022

In the causal mediation framework, a number of parametric regression‐based approaches have been introduced in recent years for estimating natural direct and indirect effects for a binary outcome in an exact manner, without invoking simplifying assumptions based on the rareness or commonness of the outcome. However, most of these works have focused on a binary mediator. In this article, we aim at a continuous mediator and introduce an exact approach for the estimation of natural effects on the odds ratio, risk ratio, and risk difference scales. Our approach relies on logistic and linear models for the outcome and mediator, respectively, and uses numerical integration to calculate the nested counterfactual probabilities underlying the definition of natural effects. Formulas for the delta method standard errors for all effects estimators are provided. The performance of our proposed exact estimators was evaluated in simulation studies that featured scenarios with different levels of outcome rareness/commonness, including a marginally but not conditionally rare outcome scenario. Furthermore, we evaluated the merit of Firth's penalization to mitigate the bias in the logistic regression coefficients estimators for the smallest outcome prevalences and sample sizes investigated. Using a SAS macro provided, we implemented our approach to assess the effect of placental abruption on low birth weight mediated by gestational age. We found that our exact natural effects estimators worked properly in both simulated and real data applications.